@Luai Ahmed

Those who don’t understand why Gaza is being bombed don’t understand the depth of the national trauma that Israel is going through right now. The images of hostages are hanging in every corner, on every street. Every party and every ideological movement has died, and the only agenda that’s alive is bringing back the hostages and to exterminate Hamas, no matter the price is.

The reason 7 October was able to happen was because Israelis had started to trust Gazans, a trust that was shattered in the most outrageous way possible.

Imagine starting to trust your enemy, only for them to use your trust to kill your daughter and kidnap your mother.

I don’t think Israelis will ever accept, forgive, or forget how this trust was destroyed.

I have never seen a people and a community be so emotionally battered as Israelis are right now. You can feel their sadness and grief in the air. You breathe it in Jerusalem and in Tel Aviv.

I am also very moved by how much Israelis love their nation and people, how far they will go for their people. I am very moved but also very jealous.

If October 7 was a Swedish tragedy, it would take the Swedes less than 2 days to start organising rainbow “anti-hate” protests.

Israelis, on the other hand, know very well that you can’t negotiate with terrorists.