October 7 survivors, bereaved families urge Eisenkot to reject Netanyahu unity government

BySHIR PERETSNOVEMBER 2, 2026 19:51

A group of 710 former hostages, bereaved families, relatives of hostages, and survivors of the October 7 massacre called on Yashar chairman Gadi Eisenkot and other opposition leaders on Monday to reject a unity government with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and instead establish a new government, according to an open letter issued by the group.

The signatories argued that the results of last week's election provided a mandate for political change, warning that cooperation with members of the outgoing government would legitimize those they hold responsible for the failures surrounding the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led massacre.

"We have made our choice. Now it is your turn to deliver," the families wrote, arguing that voters had given 67 Knesset seats to parties representing a demand for change.

Among the signatories are residents of Gaza border communities who survived the massacre and remain displaced from their homes three years later.

'A painful slap in the face' to October 7 victims

"We, the victims of October 7, whose lives were directly and painfully affected by the massacre, appeal to you with a clear demand: Establish a change government as soon as possible, and do not take part in legitimizing those who abandoned our lives and the lives of our loved ones," the families wrote.

"The election results are unequivocal: There is a clear majority that has no confidence in the October 7 government. The public is demanding change and the replacement of the government of massacre and destruction."

The families warned that allowing members of the outgoing government to remain in power would undermine their efforts to recover from the attacks and restore their faith in Israel's leadership.

"It grants legitimacy to those who abandoned our security and are responsible for the massacre in which our loved ones were murdered, allowing them to continue holding power."

The signatories argued that such a move would compound the trauma experienced by survivors and bereaved families.

"Such a step would be a painful slap in the face, severely damaging our ability to recover and regain trust in our leadership," they wrote.

The families also emphasized that a state commission of inquiry has yet to investigate the failures surrounding October 7, calling on the next government to prioritize establishing one.

"You must not forget the cost of the massacre and abandonment: The greatest failure since the establishment of the State of Israel has yet to be investigated," they wrote.

The signatories called on Eisenkot and the other opposition leaders to fulfill their election promises, including replacing Netanyahu's government, establishing a state commission of inquiry into October 7, and restoring what they described as Israel's founding values.

"You have now received a mandate, a right, and a duty to act on what you promised: Real change, replacing the government of the massacre, establishing a state commission of inquiry, and restoring the fundamental values upon which the State of Israel was founded, including mutual responsibility, the sanctity of human life, and equality," the letter stated.

It is important to note that no one party leader has received the mandate to build a coalition at this time, as President Isaac Herzog is only expected to grant the mandate in the coming days.

The families urged the party leaders to act together without delay, arguing that the responsibility for translating the election results into political change now rests with them.

"We demand that you act together, courageously, decisively, and without delay, to establish a genuine change government that will end the rule of abandonment, uncover the truth, demand accountability, and work to restore the values we have lost," they wrote.

"This is a moment of decision. The people have voted no confidence in the October 7 government and given 67 mandates to the demand for change. Convene the Knesset and swear in a change government. We have made our choice. Now it is your turn to deliver."

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