Israel’s moral decay has left me with a profound sense of anxiety

Wars often reveal both the noble and the darker aspects of individuals and nations. The October 7 war was a war of "no choice," prompting remarkable reaction and mobilisation among Israelis after a devastating tragedy. Following a year of political turmoil over the judicial overhaul, tens of thousands of reservists abandoned their comfortable lives to participate in the war.

Supporters and opponents of the overhaul alike united in the effort to retrieve hostages and destroy Hamas. In civil society, huge numbers of volunteers engaged in diverse activities such as aiding survivors, caring for hostages’ families, hosting refugees from the south and north, and supplying soldiers and the displaced with food.

Furthermore, a team of volunteer psychologists and social workers was dispatched within Israel and equipment arrived from across the globe. World Jewry contributed by delivering much-needed equipment, offering financial assistance, and pressuring their governments to support Israel and facilitate the return of hostages. Additionally, local initiatives such as the 'Golda Project' emerged in Australia to support Israelis (and the Jewish Diaspora) during their time of hardship.

The stories emerging from October 7 were deeply inspiring. For instance, the story of  Inbal Lieberman, 25-year old woman who saved an entire kibbutz from harm by leading a group of residents to kill more than two dozen advancing terrorists

Similarly, the story of nine-year-old Michael and six-year-old Amalia, who endured a harrowing 14 hours hiding in a closet after witnessing the murder of their mother and the shooting of their father, underscored the resilience of a generation growing up in Israel. Their courage, coupled with the support received from volunteers, filled many, including myself, with pride.