A few calls in times of war or crisis are a necessity. The slogan "Together we will win," the mantra of this war, aims to unite right and left, religious and secular, women and men, opposition and coalition. But does the call for unity also include uprooting inflammatory and divisive behaviors?
The call "together" aims to foster solidarity against a common enemy. Indeed, there is a deep power in unity. However, the real test of togetherness is not only in spreading beautiful slogans, but in protecting all parts of society, and that means pointing out those who dare to discriminate against parts of us, and telling them: No more!
Together, but not exactly
Saying "together we will win" makes me uncomfortable, with the rhetoric of unity sometimes being manipulated to silence important discussions about equality and justice or continued incitement.
For example, when Dana and Ron sit on TV and dare to spread fake news to Channel 14 viewers, when she "implies" that Esther Hayut's grandson was rescued from the party in Re'im and given priority. It should be emphasized - this is absolute fake news. Chaim doesn't have a grandchild at all. Veron simply mixed up a conversation between the former Supreme Court president and Haaretz journalist Nir Gontz, whose son was indeed rescued from the party by Deputy Chief of Staff and former Knesset member Yair Golan, and made what is called a "full-fledged salad." In such cases, we must all cry out: No more divisiveness and false incitement.
There are many more examples, which will fill several columns, of attempts to mark groups within us as bearers of responsibility for the omission. When the prime minister says that the connection between rejectionism and the strengthening of Hamas must be examined, all those who shout "together we will win" must ask him to stop, not anymore.
The Instagram and TikTok War
Danielle Greenberg, an online influencer, posted a series of stories expressing her concern about the presence of Arab-Israelis near her home in Rehovot. Yosef Haddad, one of the most wonderful explainers of the State of Israel at this time, answered her on the same platform on which she posted her stories - on Instagram.
The interaction between the two provides valuable insights into "togetherness" in wartime.
We all embrace Haddad's important voice as an Israeli in the world, but no less than that, his voice is important on the issue of Jewish-Arab relations, an already fragile fabric that has cracked even more in the past month. Haddad was granted the status of Israel's unofficial information minister, alongside Noa Tishbi and Gal Gadot, but his role is no less important as the information minister for Israeli Arabs who stand by the state.
The importance of Haddad's statements in undermining racist and nationalist narratives, which may lead to the alienation of minorities, is no less important than the importance of advocacy against anti-Semites who support Hamas.
The role of social media in creating togetherness, along with its ability to create division, has been felt more intensely since October 7. Social media is the most dramatic double-edged sword right now. On the one hand, they can spread hatred exponentially quickly. On the other hand, if used wisely, they can serve as a platform for constructive dialogue and reconciliation. Haddad's choice to communicate with Greenberg via Instagram is very effective.
This is not a random choice – Haddad is an exemplary example of using his broad resonance for messages that bring people closer and unite.
Daniel Greenberg and Yosef Haddad, Photo: Nir Pekin
Haddad's simple statement, "We must not generalize!", reflects the obligation in a crisis situation to regulate the human urge to demonize entire communities on the basis of the actions of individuals. As he wisely said, generalizations play into the hands of extremists who seek to divide society, both from the outside and from within. We have all read and heard the testimonies of members of the Bedouin diaspora who saved lives on Black Sabbath. Israeli Arabs who sacrificed their lives defending Jewish families, Druze and Arabs who contribute endlessly to the war effort, members of the LGBT community who fight alongside secular, religious, Druze, Bedouin and Circassians.
In order for us to win together, we must admit that the contribution of minorities to the defense of the state has never been properly respected in the State of Israel. On the contrary, over the past year minorities have been subjected to slander and accusations not only from individual citizens, but also from ministers, Knesset members and members of the media. I feel that we have not sufficiently expressed our shock at attempts to divide us on the basis of race, religion or sexual orientation. Our "togetherness" requires urgent rehabilitation, even after the danger of war has passed. Recognizing the contributions of minorities in our society is a necessary step in bridging hatred and alienation and strengthening togetherness – more than any schmaltzy advertisement of a famous Jewish man waving a flag.
Divide and conquer
The dialogue between Haddad and Greenberg on social media also demonstrates the complexity of maintaining social unity in wartime. It emphasizes the need for personal responsibility for our words, for avoiding harmful generalizations as a central part of healing the country. Greenberg's fears were echoed on social media. I read the comments, and realized that many identified with the concern she expressed. Her statements stemmed from human fear and concern for the safety of her children, which is not natural, but at the same time, her statements also reflect the deep mistrust that exists between different groups within a country, a mistrust that has been fostered by those in power in order to strengthen their power in the oldest method in the book: divide and rule.
It is difficult to overcome fear of the other by rational means, and it is very easy to get carried away by it. Unfortunately, I don't have a magic formula to crack the delicate balance required, especially in a country like Israel, where security threats are a tangible reality. The work of reconciliation and building a strong and victorious Israeli society, in which it is possible to both feel safe and not become a racist nationalist state, is the essential basis of togetherness.
When I try to point out discrimination against minorities – whether women, LGBT people or Arab citizens – I am often accused of lowering morale, of interfering with the breath of collective unity. And it's not just me, many of those who point out the injustices against minorities are blamed. I want to understand how it is possible to shout "together we will win" when there are still those who dare to write that the blood of kibbutzniks is worth less? Silence in the face of trampling and marginalizing parts of the population is not a solution that promotes victory.
Together - Reality Version
True unity is not homogeneity or the absence of division – true unity is acceptance of difference, listening to the cry of the discriminated against, and considering their pain. When a country is at war, it is more important than ever to uphold the principles of democracy and human rights. There is no privilege to say "this is not the time," because the loss of the values of equality eliminates the chance for true solidarity, for the establishment of a society that can endure among the countries of the free world.
"Together we will win" must be a promise of a collective struggle not only against external threats, but also against the internal injustices that weaken our social fabric. Only then can togetherness be real. Only then can society truly claim victory not only over its enemies, but over the forces of division and inequality within it.
"Together we will win" becomes truth, not just an empty slogan, when striving for general unity rather than selectiveness.
When the call for unity is heard, it is imperative to check who is included in this "togetherness" and who is left out. It is imperative not to silence the voices of those who point to the cracks and fractures in society, but to mobilize together to heal them, confront our prejudices and dismantle the systemic barriers that hinder true unity, because discrimination under the guise of unity is dangerous for Israeli society. There is no "we" without "them." In order to ensure that partnership within the country remains part of the permanent reality, and not just a temporary alliance formed because of the urgency of war, it is important that we work at this now, especially now. We don't have time to postpone it.
In order for "together we will win," it is important to volunteer, enlist, overcome, support, and at the same time show zero tolerance for anyone who dares to imply once again that it is permissible to exclude women from the army, politics and public spheres. Zero tolerance should be shown to those who support continued discrimination against LGBT people on issues of parenthood or economic rights, and in general, anyone who dares to cultivate Jewish supremacy at the expense of contributing and decent non-Jewish citizens must be dealt with at the root. Without this part of the equation of togetherness, we have no chance of winning.
As for "we will win" - winning does not mean shouting "them!", but defeating the forces that endangered our continued existence as a free state, both inside and out.
In order to win together, it is important to cry together, mourn together, be afraid together, fight together, be angry together. Together we will win, but really.
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