Archive · 5 Oct 2026
October 7 Families Enter Israel’s Election Seeking National Healing
Several people whose families were deeply affected by the October 7 attack are running for seats in Israel’s parliament.
The attack killed people and led to hostages being taken to Gaza.
Some candidates lost children or other relatives, while others campaigned to bring family members home.
They say they want to make Israel better and help the country heal.
Most are running with parties opposed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition.
One candidate, Talik Gvili, supports Netanyahu and says he fulfilled his promise to bring her son’s remains home.
The candidates do not all agree on who should lead Israel.
They are bringing their personal experiences into the election.
At least nine Israelis from families directly affected by the October 7, 2023 attack are running for parliament.
The candidates span political parties and say they hope to help heal Israel’s wounds.
Many candidates oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition, citing failures on October 7 and afterward.
Some candidates support Netanyahu, including Talik Gvili, whose son Ran was the last Israeli hostage whose remains were recovered from Gaza.
Candidates include bereaved relatives and a former general whose family took part in rescuing people during the attack.
- Who
- At least nine Israelis from families directly affected by the October 7 attack, including Michal Hirsch Negri, Noam Tibon, Sharon Sharabi, Shira Shapiro and Talik Gvili.
- What
- They are running for parliament in Israel’s election, saying they hope to help heal the country.
- When
- The report was published on October 5 and says the election is taking place that month.
- Where
- Israel; the attack affected communities in southern Israel and hostages were taken to Gaza.
- Why
- Candidates say their experiences of loss, rescue efforts and campaigning for hostages have motivated them to pursue political change and national healing.
Candidates opposing Netanyahu’s coalition
Candidate supporting Netanyahu
Who should lead Israel
Candidates opposing Netanyahu’s coalition
Most candidates from October 7 families support parties aligned against Netanyahu, citing perceived failures on the day of the attack and afterward.
Candidate supporting Netanyahu
Talik Gvili backs Netanyahu, saying he promised to bring her son Ran home and did so.
How to pursue change
Candidates opposing Netanyahu’s coalition
Michal Hirsch Negri and Sharon Sharabi say they want to act politically to repair the country and address what they see as broken or failed leadership.
Candidate supporting Netanyahu
Gvili says she wants a strong leader she can count on and is continuing her son’s mission to defend Israel.
Accountability for the security failure
Candidates opposing Netanyahu’s coalition
Noam Tibon called October 7 the biggest failure in Israel’s history; the article says Netanyahu has rejected blame and resisted calls for an independent investigation.
Candidate supporting Netanyahu
Gvili praises Netanyahu’s leadership and says he delivered on his promise to bring her son’s remains home.
- Candidates from affected families
- At least nine Israelis are running for parliament.
- Attack date
- October 7, 2023.
- Deaths and hostages
- The report says the attack killed 1,200 people and 251 hostages were taken to Gaza.
- Election timing
- The article, dated October 5, says the election is taking place that month.
- Political spread
- The candidates represent parties across the political spectrum.
- Hostage release
- Eli Sharabi was released in early 2025 after almost 500 days in captivity.
- Hostage remains
- Talik Gvili’s son Ran was described as the last Israeli hostage whose remains were recovered from Gaza.