A light of peace was extinguished on Oct. 7th. After the Hamas attack,  all of us lost Shani Louk, a vibrant soul who championed joy and peace, in a brutal act of violence. Her death is more than a personal loss for her friends and family; it’s a strike against all who favor peace over the turmoil of war.

Shani (22), known for her zest for life, love of outdoor gatherings, and passion for art, symbolized what was lost. You can’t watch her last dance video without thinking about the difference between those who killed her – aiming to kill anyone who came to a party to celebrate life on their way – and her own life full of hope to find a solution to the conflict. You can’t watch it without shedding a tear. Despite the horror of her final moments, taken by Hamas terrorists at the Nova party and dragged away half-naked in Gaza, her friends rallied last Sunday in Tel Aviv to celebrate her life in a manner she would have cherished.

While I wasn’t physically present at the event, making light of how my outdated dance moves would have only gotten in the way, my thoughts are deeply intertwined with the spirit of the evening. The tribute to her, even from those of us who didn’t have the privilege of knowing her personally, resonates with profound respect and a shared sense of loss.

Yet, amidst this, a glaring hypocrisy is evident. As Shani’s friends and family united to honor her legacy, criticism is levied at Israel’s retaliatory measures, glossing over the brutal provocations that led to this tragedy. This selective memory, ignoring the catalyst while scrutinizing the response, is not just disheartening; it’s dangerous. It distorts the narrative, complicating the path toward genuine peace, and doesn’t differentiate between truth and lies. This is not between Israelis and Palestinians; it is between Israel and Hamas, which is using its civilians with the same viciousness they used against Shani.

The resolve of those who knew Shani, and even of us who feel connected by the shared values she represented, is a testament to her spirit. Their celebration and defiance against despair reflect the peace Shani advocated for. It’s a powerful reminder that the journey toward understanding and peace requires a full, unflinching recognition of all facts, not merely the ones that fit a particular narrative. You can argue about war tactics – war is indeed extremely sad, and every loss – from both sides – is a tragedy – but you can’t really forget and even lie about her story, as some Palestinian propaganda did (some suggested she was taken to Gaza to save her) and expect to solve the conflict based on vicious lies and shallow understanding.

In reflecting on Shani’s story, we are called to mourn and learn. For those of us touched by her story from afar, it underscores the need to work towards a world where violence is not perpetuated by forgetfulness but halted through a courageous confrontation of its root causes. In this case, it was pure hatred for Jews and for the values that helped Shani live her life the way that she wanted for such a short time.

Yair Nativ is the CEO of Mind Dome, “The First Line of Defense for Your Mind.”