Before October 7, Israelis believed in the possibility of coexistence with Palestinians. However, a series of events on that fateful day has left a lasting impact on Israeli society. Within hours, Israel launched an intense aerial bombardment of Gaza, followed by the mobilization of hundreds of thousands of reservists and a ground operation in the enclave. Israel’s stated goal was to destroy Hamas and free captives taken by its fighters to Gaza. Western observers labeled Hamas as a “terrorist” group, leading to the trending hashtag #HamasisISIS on social media, drawing comparisons to ISIL (ISIS).
For journalists reporting in Israel, the situation became increasingly challenging. Many Israelis viewed them as “the voice of the enemy,” while others politely declined to speak. Conversations with those who did agree to speak revealed a significant shift in perceptions of “the enemy” following October 7. While some specifically identified Hamas as the enemy, others broadened their categorization to include Palestinians, Arabs, or Muslims.
In the southern Israeli city of Eilat, a family evacuated from their homes near the Gaza Strip due to the ongoing assault shared their experiences. One man, Nachum, expressed a desire for Gaza to be eliminated, a sentiment he had held even before October 7. Linor, a woman who had lost a loved one in the attack, did not direct her anger towards Palestinians but emphasized the role of Hamas as the difference between the two groups. She believed that Israeli soldiers aimed to keep their people safe, while Hamas used people in Gaza as human shields.
In the city of Ashdod, Yulia, a Russian-Israeli, initially blamed Hamas for the events of October 7 but later spoke in broader terms about problems with Muslims and Arabs. She did not elaborate on her insinuations but made it clear that she held Palestinians responsible as well. Shila, a florist in the same city, spoke of the collective pain experienced by Israelis and the fear of another Hamas attack. She expressed a wish to live alongside Palestinians if it weren’t for Hamas, but believed that many residents no longer shared this sentiment.
Jarin, an Israeli of Georgian heritage, shared his shock following the Hamas attack and how relations with Palestinians from Gaza had been shattered. He questioned how Palestinians could eat, work, and interact with Israelis and still desire to harm them. In Tel Aviv, individuals, including a woman working at an upscale hotel and a young woman at a trendy cafe, confessed to grappling with their emotional responses to October 7. Their reactions varied, with some feeling conflicted about their own political beliefs.
The events of October 7 have undeniably left a lasting impact on Israeli society. The shift in perceptions towards Palestinians, Arabs, and Muslims, and the increased skepticism towards coexistence, raise important questions about the future of Israeli-Palestinian relations. As Israel continues to navigate the aftermath of this significant event, it remains to be seen how these changed perceptions will shape the country’s policies and interactions with its neighbors.
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