Israel, the United States and the Iranian threat

Israel’s enemies have a sinister proclivity to attack on sacred holidays. Many expected the Iranian retaliation for the murder of Hamas terror leader Ismail Haniyeh to come on Tisha B’Av, the Jewish holiday commemorating the destruction of the First and Second Temples. Astonishingly, that night, I had a most restful sleep, although disturbed by a foreboding dream.

I envisioned the destruction of modern-day Israel, the 75 years of Israel’s miraculous splendor standing in ruins and ash, as it was after the devastation of the ancient temples. I gazed at the desolation with stunned silence. When a group of American and European officials came to inspect the carnage, I asked plaintively: “Did you not know? Did you not know that the Iranian leaders vowed to eradicate Israel, the ‘Zionist Regime,’ the ‘cancerous tumor?’ Did you not know?

“Did you not know they made chilling antisemitic statements with Holocaust allusions, ‘Thanking Zionists for making their job easier by gathering Jews together for destruction?’ Did you not know that Iran was developing an atomic bomb that they could use to fulfill their heinous plan of destroying not just Israel but the ingathered Jews in a ‘convenient’ mass slaughter? The rest of the world from Europe to America is in their sights. How could you not know?”

Jews seek peace whenever possible. Nevertheless, the ancient wisdom of the Talmud, commentaries on sacred Jewish texts, advises: “If someone comes to kill you, rise up and kill him first.” Figures such as the Lubavitch Rebbe—Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson—cited this about the Middle East, as did Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who echoed with the words, “If someone threatens to annihilate you believe them and act accordingly.”

You may not have known this, but now you do.

You do know that Iran has spread a “ring of fire” around Israel, as its proxies taunt the beleaguered nation with perpetual violence and psychological warfare, all in preparation for the avowed destruction.

You know that Iran’s proxies attack ships in the narrow chokepoint of the Mandeb Straits, disrupting global shipping and threatening a worldwide economic disaster.

You know that in October 1983, Hezbollah, with Iran’s backing, murdered 241 U.S. Marines in the bombing of a Marines Corps’ barracks in Beirut after killing 17 Americans in the U.S. Embassy Annex bombing in April of that year in the same city.

You know that in 2012 and 2013, Iran made cyberattacks against U.S. infrastructure and financial institutions and that in 2020 Iran launched missiles at American military bases in Iraq causing traumatic brain injuries to more than 100 U.S. troops.

Recall the tragic 1979 U.S. Embassy hostage crisis in which 52 American diplomats and citizens were held hostage in Tehran for 444 days. This is 130 days longer than the Israeli hostages have been held by Hamas, again with Iran’s backing. This brings into bold relief that America and Israel are in the same boat when it comes to Iran. So will it be again if we fail to unify to thwart a common enemy who has referred to Israel as the “Little Satan” and the United States as the “Great Satan.” From Iran’s perspective, both must be destroyed.

Israel greatly appreciates the extraordinary defense that the United States and other allies provided during the April missile attack from Iran. This suggests a growing awareness of the need to join forces, as does the movement of armaments to the region.

But sometimes, the best defense is a good offense, and this is one such time.

It’s not too late for a pre-emptive strike, but do not wait until after another Pearl Harbor. Even after the devastating attack on America’s naval port that killed 2,403 Americans and wounded another 1,178, the U.S. declared war only on Japan, choosing to wait before joining allies in the fight against Germany.

Even America’s founding fathers recognized the critical role of solidarity with their allies. Benjamin Franklin is credited with saying, “We must all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately.”

It is long overdue to strike at the head of the octopus whose tentacles only grow longer, stronger and more rapacious. No, it won’t be pretty, but will it look better once Iran has a nuclear bomb?

There is a Hebrew saying, עכשיו הזמן, “Now is the time.” As Rabbi Hillel famously asked: “If not now, when?” Don’t wait for another Pearl Harbor. Israel cannot afford even one such cataclysmic event. Now you know.