Bereaved Families Give New Cabinet 100 Days to Draft Cohesion Framework

One hundred days. That is the deadline set by Hamechane, a coalition of bereaved relatives and war survivors, for the incoming Israeli government to enact a national framework for social cohesion. The group, whose name translates to "the denominator," seeks to institutionalize unity as a core state responsibility rather than a temporary political gesture. Members include families of those killed on October 7, 2023, as well as captivity survivors and those wounded in the Israel-Gaza War.

Moshe Shapiro, whose son Aner died protecting fellow attendees at the Nova music festival, spearheads the effort. Shapiro cites the 1960s wildflower protection campaign as a structural model. That initiative combined legal statutes with public education, embedding the concept of conservation into the national consciousness over generations. Shapiro argues that respect for diverse communities requires a similar dual approach of law and cultural integration to become permanent.

The coalition includes Hoda Daxa, the widow of Col. Ehsan Daxa, who led the 401st Armored Brigade in northern Gaza until his death in October 2024. She also includes Shai Zohar, the uncle of Capt. Omer Neutra, a lone soldier from New York whose remains were repatriated from Gaza in November 2025. Zohar described internal division as Israel's most severe existential risk. He stated that unity functions as an "operating system" and warned that the nation has already paid an immense price for its fractures.

Daxa highlighted the challenges faced by non-Jewish citizens, particularly regarding the 2018 Nation-State Law. She noted that the law reserves self-determination for the Jewish people and grants Hebrew primary status, a distinction that Druze critics argue excludes a community with deep military ties. Daxa recounted sensing discomfort from passengers when speaking Arabic on a train, illustrating how belonging is tested in daily interactions. She emphasized that the group members vote for different parties but engage in dialogue to find common ground.

The group spent a year building a shared vision across religious, secular, and political lines. Shapiro noted that no participant had to conceal their views during these discussions. He pointed to the precedent of the 1967 government expansion, where Prime Minister Levi Eshkol incorporated opposition parties Gahal and Rafi to form a national unity cabinet before the Six Day War. Shapiro believes this historical example shows that broad coalitions can function effectively during critical periods.

Hamechane has not defined the specific structure of the proposed body, leaving that task to elected officials and experts. The group plans to promote personal connections through schools, workplaces, and communities. Shapiro stated that the goal is to teach children to listen and handle disagreement, alongside measures to curb online hatred. The initiative asks citizens to make room for others without requiring them to sacrifice their distinct identities.

The group is scheduled to continue its outreach ahead of the upcoming elections. Shapiro stressed that the demand is for listening and mutual obligation, not for uniformity. The coalition hopes that recognizing polarization as a national danger will serve as the first step toward a cohesive society.