Wartime Diaries: Gadi Ezra

38-year-old Gadi Ezra recently published his first book, a (Hebrew) memoir about his service in Gaza. He lives in Tel Aviv with his family and – like many other Israelis – found himself having to juggle different lives since October 7, 2023.

In his case, however, it wasn’t just the challenge of being called up to war and still being present at home. While that was definitely true as well, Gadi – who has led divisions within the Foreign Ministry and the Prime Minister’s Office – dealt with the unique challenge of being needed in two very different military, or official, capacities: As a special forces infantry soldier in the battlefield, and as an information and hasbara specialist in the Kirya, the IDF’s headquarters in Tel Aviv.

What, in that case, trumps what? Which is more important? Impactful? And how on earth can you make that kind of calculation?

The closing song is ‘Ana Efne’ by Erez Lev Ari (Licensed by Israel Story through Acum).