Bereavement stories during the “Iron Swords” war and their impact on the Israeli population: Solidarity or a social fracture?

This study deals with the impact of bereavement stories on the Israeli population, during the “Iron Swords” war which started on the 7th of October, 23 between Gaza Strip and Israel. The Israeli population, both Jews and Arabs, have been exposed to bereavement and loss experiences during the two wars. During the war, many families, on both sides, experienced a painful loss, and the personal stories of bereavement became a focus of public discourse. The study investigates the question of whether the emotional and social effects of these stories contribute to social solidarity in the multicultural population or deepen the rifts and distances between them. The study also examines the psychological and social aspects of bereavement experiences, as well as the way in which these stories can lead to mutual understanding and acceptance between Jews and Arabs and strengthen their social ties. The study also offers other perspectives, suggesting that bereavement stories may deepen the sense of alienation and enmity, with each side concentrating solely on the bereavement of their own community. The social consequences of bereavement are many and complex, and it seems that the present situation may lead to conflicting reactions among different groups. The study concludes that the impact of bereavement on the Israeli society is a dynamic process, in which every personal experience can create opportunities for connection or separation, depending on the context and reactions and political circumstances. To achieve its purposes, the study adopts a qualitative methodology that focuses on groups of men, women, and teenagers, in both ethnic groups: Jewish and Arab. The participants in the study are asked to answer various questions that thoroughly examine the impact of the stories on them. Many people have expressed a desire to cooperate, in order to understand their personal and emotional experiences following the stories they have experienced or heard. The study is based on published stories about Jewish and Arab families who lost their loved ones from the first day of the war. The methodology is based on questionnaires about personal, emotional, and social responses that help answering four research questions. The responses are collected and presented in a statistical analysis and conclusions are made according to the participants' answers and responses.