Writer’s Response: How do we react to the war in Iran?

There’s a lot of mixed feelings surrounding the war with Iran right now. My non-Jewish friends are asking me how I feel, and it’s not so simple.

On the one hand, civilians have been killed in the Iranian retaliatory barrages over the weekend. My family all over Israel have barely slept since the operation began, with them and their kids constantly going in and out of shelters every day, with any trips or plans scuppered. My friends’ apartment in Tel Aviv recently suffered a direct hit, and while they luckily weren’t hurt, their entire belongings have been instantly destroyed.

I was supposed to fly to Israel this Wednesday to celebrate my close friend’s wedding. Obviously, the flights were cancelled, yet even the wedding party itself has been cancelled. Many of my friends are also stranded, either trying to get in to or out of Israel. 

As the war rages between Israel and Iran, I am again reminded of the stark differences between the two sides. Where the IAF have struck almost exclusively military and nuclear facilities targets, the Iranian regime have struck almost exclusively civilian residences. Of course, this nuance is lost on the media’s portrayal of the war, but then again nuance wasn’t their strong side in the first place. The cost Israeli civilians are being asked to bear are high.

On the other hand, the necessity of this war is obvious to all (apart from the UK government, apparently). The Iranian regime’s last-minute nuclear push puts them weeks away from creating enough bombs to wipe out Israel and all other liberal democracies around the world. While Iranians around the world have nothing to fear from this war, most Jewish communities have been put on high alert from Iranian proxy terror. This proves both the evil of the regime, as well as the danger facing the entire world if Israel had not preemptively attacked. 

The unity behind the operation and the Israeli government has also been inspiring. Despite their deep divides and political fights, most political parties have come in line to offer their support to the government. This is in stark contrast to mere days ago when the government was tottering and about to fall. Most of my Israeli friends and family are upbeat and supportive of the operation. In fact, they’re more disappointed with the cowardice of the European countries refusing to publicly support what they know to be a gift to humanity. 

Furthermore, the sheer audacity (read; chutzpah) and dizzying success of the IDF to destroy the Iranian military leadership and the nuclear threats were probably the best news we’ve had in a long while. As more details of the operation are released (did you know that the Mossad set up a functioning drone base in Iran?), I constantly see war researchers and historians complaining about having to redraw all their assumptions and understanding of war in the Middle East. 

That’s what I answer my non-Jewish friends. Our divine destiny, to be a light unto the nations, to make the world a better place, can come at a high cost, but it is our duty to do it.

The way I see it, we in the diaspora have two imperatives; firstly, to pray for the success of the operation and the safety of Israel; secondly, to be strong in our commitment to our narrative. Because I’d like to think the true secret to the enormous success of the operation was Netanyahu’s note in the Western Wall praying for its success. What is certain, however, is Israel’s fulfilment of its ancient destiny, something we should learn from in our own lives around the world. 

הֲל֤וֹא צִוִּיתִ֙יךָ֙ חֲזַ֣ק וֶאֱמָ֔ץ אַֽל־תַּעֲרֹ֖ץ וְאַל־תֵּחָ֑ת כִּ֤י עִמְּךָ֙ יְהֹוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ בְּכֹ֖ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר תֵּלֵֽךְ׃

“I charge you: Be strong and resolute; do not be terrified or dismayed, for the ETERNAL your God is with you wherever you go.”

When we stick true to our heritage and destiny, we have nothing to fear.