Struggle for peace “My parents raised the alarm that Hamas was training for the 7/10 attack, but Netanyahu did not protect them.” Maoz Inon organized trips to the Holy Land. He lost his mother and father in the attack carried out by Hamas near the Gaza Strip on October 7. But he is now calling for the war to be stopped, as he told Today.it: “Many people reported the massacre exercise, why didn’t Netanyahu stop them?”

• 48-year-old Israeli citizen Maoz Inon lost her parents in the Hamas attack on October 7.
• None of the parents and neighbors had been alarmed in the days before the massacre: They noticed gunshots, evidence of paragliding, and widespread use of motor vehicles that suggested Hamas was planning something.
• He does not consider Hamas a terrorist organization, but believes its power derives indirectly from the policies of the Israeli government, which accuses Netanyahu of dragging Israel into a pointless war.

Since October 7, Maoz Inon has had only one slogan: “Not in my name.” It’s the same slogan used by those opposing wars on terror in the early 2000s. Maoz is a 48-year-old Israeli citizen who organizes tours in the Holy Land, and his company manages a series of hostels that promote sustainable tourism. He has three brothers, a sister, nieces and nephews, and loving parents.

His life, like that of many Israeli citizens, changed dramatically on October 7. That day, Hamas went on the offensive. moshav Netiv HaAsara (a cooperative farming community with individual homes), just steps away from Gaza, where Maoz’s family lives. Maoz describes calling his father on the morning of that terrible Sabbath. He was told that there was a rocket attack and that his parents would take shelter in the shelter. This was the last conversation he had with his father. Their house was completely destroyed by a Hamas missile.

He remembers that his parents were peaceful people and that his father, an agricultural engineer, was an incorrigible optimist. Every year he would say that the harvest would be better than the previous year. Maoz believes this, too, and has been trying to honor their memory by planting, in his words, “seeds of peace” since October 7. His story is also symbolic of a part of the country that strongly challenges the government of Benjamin Netanyahu and does not justify Israel’s massive military intervention in Gaza in recent days. Maoz agreed to share his story with Today.it.

Maoz, how did your commitment to peace come about?

“I have never considered myself a pacifist activist. Paradoxically, I think my family can be described that way, too. In the Jewish tradition, there is a seven-day mourning period called ‘Shiva’. After this period, I felt very bad. Clear mission: To protect hostages kidnapped by Hamas helping bring it home, working for a ceasefire, defending Netanyahu’s resolve, and creating a future of peace where Palestinians and Israelis can finally live in peace between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean. But these are all interconnected. Our guiding principles must be justice, unity, and equality. So, “This has been my commitment for the last month.”

Have you ever thought of taking revenge?

“The desire for revenge is a profoundly human trait; we are the only creatures that harbor it. But instead we must embrace forgiveness and reconciliation. Consider the path that hatred and revenge take us on. Reason must prevail: how many more are there? Lives lost before a stable and lasting peace can be achieved “Is it necessary? Revenge will never bring me back my lost family.”

What do you think about the Netanyahu government?

“Netanyahu has completely failed to deliver on the promises for which he was elected, particularly to ensure peace, security and stable governance. Not only has the government fallen short in these areas, it has also betrayed Israel, my family and now the citizens who have been captured by Hamas.”

How did Netanyahu betray his people?

“He was the one who made this disaster possible, and he can no longer be part of the solution: he will be considered the worst Israeli prime minister in history. The state of Israel was born with a premise: the pogroms and horrors of the past will disappear.” should not be repeated. Thousands of Jews were murdered during the Netanyahu government; Something that hasn’t happened in over 80 years. “He betrayed our founding value and then dragged us into a senseless war that threatened our very existence.”

What’s at risk?

“If his agenda is followed, this spiral of senseless hatred along with mourning will continue, because unfortunately all Western leaders support him. All this is both a shame and a disaster. For everyone: Israelis and non-Israelis. Palestinians are the same.”

“It’s a vicious cycle; hatred only breeds more hatred.”

What do you think about Hamas?

“Hamas is a fundamentalist terrorist organization that not only oppresses the people of Gaza but also targets Israeli civilians. But its power and popularity derive indirectly from the policies of our government. This is why terrorists want the war to continue and tensions to stay high. It’s a cycle; “Hate only breeds more hatred. We must immediately declare a ceasefire, bury our dead, heal our wounds, and strive for a peaceful future.”

Are Hamas and the Netanyahu government part of the same problem?

“I can say that nothing was done to stop the preparations that led to the massacre on October 7. The terrorists certainly did not improvise. My parents and neighbors noticed gunshots, paragliding tracks and the widespread use of motor vehicles. Hamas was planning something. The government did nothing.” “He didn’t. Why? Because Netanyahu betrayed his citizens; he cared nothing about the victims, only himself.”

What are the differences between the kibbutz where your parents lived and the new settlements on the West Bank that are making headlines these days?

“All communities attacked by Hamas militants are within the international borders of the State of Israel, which was established in 1948. On the other hand, the new settler outposts in the West Bank supported by this government are illegal. They exist only because of the existence of the state of Israel. They are in violation of the Israeli army and international law.” “It was annexed to our state. All of this is the exact opposite of the experiences and values ​​that my family adopted.”

What can be done to end this spiral of violence?

“We need to apply international pressure for an immediate ceasefire and the release of the hostages: the entire international community must be involved in this”.

What do Israelis and Palestinians have in common?

“All Israelis suffer from a kind of siege mentality; we think that the world is against us and we constantly feel like victims. The same thing often happens with Palestinians. We are like two lonely children living side by side. This loneliness has left us both helpless. It helps us to no longer feel alone and to live together and “We need international commitment to help us focus on the values ​​that should be important to both: equality, peace and justice. The tragedy that affected my mother, my father, many of my friends and so many Palestinian civilians must be a catalyst to end this cycle of hatred and focus on the future.”

What could be the solution?

“I am not a politician or a diplomat, and I do not have solutions, but it is clear that we need an international summit like those held in the past. We must strive to prevent further bloodshed and not be carried away by the mentality of war. We must continue to seek peace and dialogue; every time we did not do this, things got worse “.

So what is the premise?

“Immediate resignation of the far-right government of Benjamin Netanyahu”.