The honking index: Our last chance for unity

This is not another post about the horrificly challenging year that has gone by, but rather about how, maybe the next 24 hours could get us a bit closer to what we are all hoping for: unity & solidarity.

Our crucial need to unite internally as a nation is no news.
Though the past year enhanced the new nation’s slogan ” United we shall win”.
Though it represents our acknowledgement to how we are stronger together but we did not “invented the wheel of united we stand divided we fall”.  What’s concerning is how quickly we abandoned our commitment, mindset and actions to unity and reverted to mere words

Israel is far from the first nation that to prove that when divided by internal conflicts and societal cracks is more vulnerable to external attacks. Be it Bosnia, Ukraine or The Arab Spring in Syria (2011) and Libya, Yemen (2015), and even Lebanon, which Israel used its cracks to act and make an effort to clear out the PLO’s hub in Southern Lebanon what turned into the first Lebanon war.

The outbreak of the October 7th. war didn’t just clarify the picture of the danger that a cracked and broken society has on our security and survival.
But, maybe as importantly the Israeli nation also recieved a tiny gift: an extremly impactful glimpse and experience of the empowering feeling of unity. Unfortunately, it was surprisingly short given the extreme blow. How short? I used the “Honking index” to define our level of a true sense of unity and acceptance as well as its evaporation into a mere word and longing.

The unity so many of our citizens were proud of, and the hope it gave us that together we will win. Heck, that even became the slogan for this era. Throughout the passing year, I developed a sort of indication and measurement to checking the pulse on our nations unity. I called it the Honking index.

What is my honking index?
The shivering silence that froze the streets in the country on October 7th. was distinct. In a state where the noise of honking ones car horn is habitual and doesn’t raise a brow, the lack of this poluting noise was evident. The patience, acceptance, “we feeling”, proportional reactions and respect was spread throughout, that no one even had the urge to nudge others with their horn. Moreover, the extra second at the traffic light or letting people by at the crossings felt like another way to express brotherhood, no matter who was standing at the curb. It wasn’t just on the road, but also in cashier lines, and sidewalk crossings. It was as if the triggers that others are “in our way” and maybe even taking their time on purpose was gone. Rather, the respect to others space, needs and feelings was at an all time high no matter their color, gendre, origins or beliefs.

Unfortunately as the weeks went by, and turned into months, the hope for change deteriorated, the global opositions kept rising, and the unresolved challenges of Hamas’s existance and our people kept hostage kept our soldiers in the field, their businesses shut and their families sleep deprived. And with that the pressure cookers were taking their toll and the honking came back. And, with it, the cynical remarks and unexpected insults that burst out of the minds and into the mouths of the society who ragained and potentially reinforced its immunity to unity. At first I noticed a few honks here and there as a burst of fear of an unexpected pedestrian bursting into the street. Then it was the nudge to at the traffic light to the drivers who didn’t hit the pedal immediately when the light turned green. Later came the honks to call a friend out of the house, even though it was a residential area, and eventually the honks that followed every little act of frustration, alongside a few un flattering words, and a wave of the hand in a way that was not a warm greeting.

When contemplating this Israeli Phenomenon I found that the conslusion that kept coming back to me was that the lack of a victory vision to hold on to, cracked our hope and with it returned and widened the cracks in our nations’ unity.

Gaining unity:
In any relationship, either new or revived unity is key. That “We feeling”, of being in “this” together. whatever “this” is – for better or for worth. There is a belief that both sides truly want what’s best for their mutual creation – their growing venture , their relationship. It creates patience for the others wacky traits and demands. It’s importnat thato maintain the honeymoon period of patience and acceptance long enough to establish foundations, find common grounds and gain momentum to help us push through the hard times.

Think of it, the same could happen In any relationship, not just between community members. The patience and respect decrease as the glue is loosened and there is no hope for it to stick together. That is why couples go on mutual getaways, and therapy. To establish and revive their sense of unity and the reason why to keep going. Moreover, to not burst and call it a quits whenever the other side goes out of their way to get on our nerves… Same goes for the relationship us Israelis have with each other.

Yom Kippur is a wonderful national getaway. A reminder of what mutual respect and a touch of tranquility could do to the soul and to society. A whole day of quiet, no honking, and even greeting strangers on the street. What if, this year, we cherish this feeling, recall how it felt for a few months in a row, and do our best to maintain the same mindset even when the Shofar is blown to mark the end of  the Yom Kippur fast? Maybe even remember that our bad behavior towards one another is not forgiven by the Lord, not even on Yom Kippur, so maybe we can gain momentum from this special day no matter what our religious belief is, and go back to the small acknowledgments we embraced due to the horrors of October 7th and the past year, and, at least, if not unite, STOP HONKING, be kind and say hello on the street and when stepping into the elevator.