Bereaved Families Require New Government to Draft Cohesion Law in 100 Days

Bereaved relatives have issued a 100-day deadline for the incoming Israeli government to enact a national framework for social cohesion. The initiative, known as Hamechane, demands that the new cabinet prioritize unity legislation immediately upon taking office. The group argues that internal division poses a greater existential threat to the state than external enemies.

Moshe Shapiro, whose son Aner died on October 7, 2023, leads the push. Shapiro compares the desired outcome to the wildflower protection campaign launched in the 1960s. That earlier effort combined legal mandates with public education until the practice became common knowledge. He seeks a similar ingrained respect for others, even when deep disagreements persist.

Shai Zohar, uncle of Capt. Omer Neutra, and Hoda Daxa, wife of Col. Ehsan Daxa, joined Shapiro in articulating the group's demands. Zohar described unity as an operating system rather than a one-time event. He warned that Israel has already paid an immense price for its divisions and cannot afford to slip backward further.

The group includes family members of soldiers killed in the war, survivors of captivity, and wounded veterans. They aim to bridge gaps between religious and secular Jews, haredim, Druze, and political factions. Daxa emphasized that unity must extend beyond Jewish solidarity. She noted that many members of non-Jewish communities feel a strong sense of belonging and wish to contribute to Israeli society.

Daxa referenced the 2018 Nation-State Law, which defines Hebrew as the state language and grants Arabic special status. Druze critics argue the law excludes their community from the definition of national self-determination. The High Court upheld the law in 2021, finding it compatible with existing equality protections. Daxa said her experience speaking Arabic on a train highlighted the subtle discomfort many citizens feel in everyday interactions.

Shapiro detailed a yearlong process of building consensus among diverse groups. He noted that his grandfather, Haim-Moshe Shapiro, urged Prime Minister Levi Eshkol to form a broader government before the Six Day War in 1967. That coalition eventually included parties led by Menachem Begin and Moshe Dayan. Shapiro believes a similar spirit of inclusion is needed now.

The group has not finalized the structure of the proposed body or the specific legislative mechanisms. They have left those technical details to elected officials and professionals. Shapiro stressed that the goal is not to eliminate disagreement but to ensure that differences do not cancel out mutual obligations. He asked citizens to listen and make room for others without sacrificing their individual views.

Hamechane plans to promote personal connections through schools, workplaces, and local communities. The group wants children to learn how to handle disagreement and listen to different communities. Shapiro also called for measures against online activity that inflames hatred. Daxa stated that simply recognizing polarization as a national danger would be a meaningful first step.