Unity is the key to fostering a healthier public discourse

“We must not return to the rhetoric of October 6,” Israeli President Isaac Herzog declared in his address to the nation. It is a sentiment widely shared. But how do we achieve this in practice?

The President articulated what we all, to some degree, feel. As time distances us from the events of October 7, and the shock of those tragic occurrences begins to fade, the growing fatigue of war and uncertainty risks pulling us back into reality, threatening to revive the deep societal division that emerged this past year.

First, however, we must grasp what happened to us on October 7, beyond the profound national trauma. Let us recall the first month of the war—a time when we were all trying to comprehend the tragedy, yet simultaneously mobilized every resource to support our country and our neighbors. Let us remember how individuals who, just weeks prior, would not have spoken to one another, suddenly found themselves in the same military unit, the same tank, the same unharvested field, the same volunteer center, and the same queue to donate blood. Consider the immense warmth, solidarity, and acceptance that defined those days, and the overwhelming support from Jewish communities in the diaspora.

All prior assertions regarding the loss of unity and insurmountable mutual hatred were once again proven wrong. We remain a united nation. Yet, these warnings were not groundless; we had indeed nearly forgotten this sense of cohesion. On October 7, through that rediscovered bond, we regained an unprecedented strength and faith in our people—assets we had nearly lost.

It is not without reason that we champion unity in times of peace. Unfortunately, as a nation, we have experienced this mobilization and solidarity in times of crisis far too often. Yet, invariably, with the return of peaceful skies, we tend to forget. Today, we have another opportunity to view unity not merely as a slogan, but as an imperative for action. Having experienced it firsthand once more, we understand that it is neither an empty phrase nor an unattainable ideal.

This national cohesion, though regrettably prompted by a terrible tragedy, must serve as our ideal and our guide.

But what does it mean to be united?

It does not mean we must abstain from political discourse, avoid criticism entirely, suppress our opinions, or practice self-censorship. Socio-political debate is the natural state of a healthy, democratic society.

However, the manner in which we conduct this debate must change. One of our primary challenges today is to cultivate a culture of discussion, ensuring that differing opinions do not act as a destructive force, but rather facilitate the search for the correct path forward. We must elevate our public discourse. We are a diverse society with highly varied perspectives, and we must accept this. We must learn to debate opposing views without crossing red lines. Political dialogue and criticism should not be built on suspicion, mutual accusations, and conjecture, but on deep respect and the understanding that the person opposing you is not an enemy—even if they envision a different future for the country—but rather someone who is ultimately prepared to lay down their life for you.

Does unity mean we must disregard all the acute issues we debated of late? Absolutely not. We must return to those discussions and address those challenges. We face a very difficult conversation, but it must be conducted in an entirely different tone.

We are not in a contest to prove who loves this country more or who loves it less. Today, on the battlefield fighting for our present and future, individuals from every sector of Israeli society are making the ultimate sacrifice. Therefore, only a profound conviction that your interlocutor is a true partner—who, like you, desires prosperity and welfare for our country and people—will allow us to conduct negotiations calmly and respectfully, even when our positions are diametrically opposed.

This obligation applies to all of us, both in our civic responsibilities and in our daily lives. First and foremost, however, it applies to public leaders. It is high time to establish two core principles as the foundation of public service: responsibility and transparency. This means accountability for every word and action, and a readiness to speak openly, transparently, and honestly with the public. Dialogue must not be conducted in the heightened tones of slogans, but rather through constructive ideas and rigorous accountability. At its foundation must be an unshakeable understanding that no citizen in this country is superfluous, and that everyone plays an essential role—just as we all recognized without doubt in the initial weeks of the war.

We have endured dark chapters in our history. We have navigated pivotal moments for our country and our people, when our very survival hung in the balance. We have also overcome deep societal crises. These trials have tempered us, making us wiser and stronger.

I am deeply convinced that, regardless of how intense our current debates may be, we will overcome this crisis as well. However, it is high time we finally internalize these lessons. We must give serious heed to the President's words, which have served as a vital voice of reason and responsibility. In doing so, I am certain we will emerge from this crisis as a stronger and healthier society.