“They shot the dogs too”:  How teens are telling Israel’s story through canine heroes

As part of the TEEN SPIRIT youth leadership program under Israel’s Civil Public Diplomacy Task Force, a group of high school students from the Maayan Shahar School in Emek Hefer has launched a powerful and emotional initiative titled “They Shot the Dogs Too.” This international awareness campaign shares the untold stories of dogs who either perished or survived the brutal Hamas terror attack on October 7. Through the eyes of beloved family pets, the project aims to tell the deeper, often overlooked, truths of that day.

Among the stories featured is that of Tonto, the dog of the Bibas family, and Bella, who was held captive alongside her owner, Mia Leimberg. These dogs are not only remembered as companions but as silent witnesses and survivors of unimaginable violence. The students use these narratives to forge an emotional connection with international audiences and to portray the indiscriminate cruelty of the attack in a universally relatable way.

The initiative utilizes cutting-edge tools, including AI-generated visual content, unique merchandise, and even an illustrated children’s book to deliver a message of resilience and hope. The creative storytelling breaks through language and cultural barriers by tapping into a shared love for animals, helping the world understand the depth of trauma experienced by Israeli families.

This project is also the students’ final assignment, which they will present in an upcoming national competition, where youth groups from across Israel showcase their efforts to tackle the complex challenges of Israeli public diplomacy.

Eliyav Biton, head of the Civil Public Diplomacy Task Force, praised the initiative: “In an era where the world struggles to grasp the magnitude of the horror, we use a universal emotional language – to tell our story. This project by the youth of Emek Hefer touches hearts and connects the world to the Israeli truth – not through headlines, but through the dogs who fell with their families or survived to tell their tale.”