Boy George reminds us why you can't reason with unreasonable Oct. 7 deniers - opinion

Nissim Louk, the father of Shani Louk, who died during Hamas attacks at the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023, confronted Transportation Minister Miri Regev at a Likud party campaign event in Jerusalem on August 17, 2026. In a video shared on social media, Louk accused Regev of being responsible for the attack, claiming that the government’s policies contributed to the violence that led to his daughter’s death. During the confrontation, Louk shouted at Regev, calling her and the Likud party accountable for the October 7 atrocities. He repeatedly stated, “You caused October 7! Shame on you all! Shame on Likud!” Regev attempted to respond, telling Louk, “You don’t know how proud we are [to be in Likud].” As the exchange escalated, other individuals present, described by the Walla news site as “Likud activists”, began challenging Louk, questioning the connection between the party and his daughter’s murder. One activist reportedly said, “Likud funded Hamas!” while another countered, “You funded Hamas.” The dialogue grew heated, with Louk accusing the activists of being complicit in the violence. One activist called Louk a provocation, urging him to refrain from making such claims. Louk, undeterred, reiterated his belief that the Likud leadership, including former ministers Naftali Bennett and Yoav Limor, played a role in financing Hamas. The activist responded by listing several political figures, including former Prime Minister Yair Lapid, as part of the alleged conspiracy. Louk then referenced a June 26 cabinet meeting in which the Israeli government approved the deployment of 200 International Stabilization Force troops into Gaza as part of a U.S.-led peace initiative. He claimed that this decision represented an agreement to cede control of Gaza to the Muslim Brotherhood, suggesting that the move would enable further radicalization and violence. Regev’s office issued a statement responding to the incident, asserting that the minister had spoken extensively with Louk and offered emotional support. It noted that Regev emphasized that Shani Louk was considered a “Nova survivor” alongside others who were killed at the festival. The statement also mentioned that Regev had pledged to establish a national commission of inquiry to examine the circumstances surrounding the October 7 attacks. The statement used the term “national” instead of “state,” implying alignment with the government’s preference for a politically appointed commission rather than an independent state-level investigation. This distinction highlights ongoing debates over the independence and authority of such bodies in examining high-profile incidents. Shani Louk, 22, was one of 364 victims of the Hamas assault on the Nova festival, which marked the beginning of the war in Gaza. Her body was found in the Strip after seven months and returned to Israel for burial on May 17, 2024. Footage of her remains circulating online showed her partially clothed and carried by armed militants, a grim symbol of the violence that unfolded during the attack. The confrontation between Louk and Regev underscores the deep emotional and political tensions surrounding the October 7 attacks and their aftermath. As the nation grapples with the legacy of the conflict, public discourse continues to evolve, shaped by personal grief and political accountability.