Gavri Banai on October 7: "We were slaughtered partly because of our own stupidity"

Artist and creator Gavriel Banai was interviewed today, Monday, for the podcast of journalist Guy Peleg from the "All In" network. He argued firmly that despite the massacre, we must reach peace with our enemies because "they live here and they are our neighbors."

The segment where Banai discusses the need for peace despite the massacre: 31:20–34:57.

"The only one who tried to change direction—they murdered him."

During the conversation, Banai stated that one must at least try to seek peace, noting that we are "in wars all the time." He added: "They are not trying a different direction, and it bothers me. The only one who tried a different direction a little bit—they murdered him (former Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin)." The artist rejected arguments that a political settlement is impossible, citing historical precedents: "First of all, you made peace with Egypt, you made peace with Jordan." He added that it is a necessary attempt, even if the reality today is different.

In response, Guy Peleg noted the painful feelings of residents in the Gaza envelope and the kibbutzim, who believed in coexistence, built joint industrial zones, and aspired to live side by side—yet were slaughtered. Banai replied:

"They slaughtered us partly because of our stupidity, partly because of our incorrect thinking."

Regarding the transfer of funds from Qatar, the artist said: "I don't know everything, but I know that they transferred funds to them, and they knew exactly what they were doing with those funds." Despite Peleg's reminder of the massacre, Banai insisted on the need for peace and the importance of "moving towards them too":

"I am trying at least to make peace with the enemies. With whom do you want to make peace, with Norway? They are our neighbors, they live here, we must also move towards them."