This is meant to be a war to reshape the face of the Middle East. Nothing less. Because Iran, even after sanctions, even after mass protests by citizens demanding freedom, even after the mass slaughter of civilians, has remained a terror state with enormous influence across the region.
Nearly every ring of fire constructed around Israel in recent decades was built, directly or indirectly, by Iran. This is a decisive hour. We are in a moment of historic opportunity. But anyone who thinks it will be easy is mistaken.
In the “Rising Lion” war, the objective was to strike Iran. This time, the goal is far more severe damage, potentially paving the way for regime change. It will not be simple. With all due respect to the protesters, and they deserve much respect, they numbered in the hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions. But Iran is a country of more than 90 million people. Even if most Iranians have grown weary of a regime of repression and terror, there are still tens of millions who support it, who make their living from it, who are complicit in its crimes. They will not surrender easily. They are far more organized and far better armed, and strikes against government institutions, officials and military infrastructure will not cause them to give up. There is reason to fear, and let us hope we are proven wrong, that uprooting this evil will be a difficult task. A very difficult one.
One can assume the campaign will not be easy. Israel may be hit. Israelis may pay with their lives. But sometimes, as Shakespeare wrote, a small evil is necessary to prevent a greater one
War is evil. But there are circumstances, and this is the circumstance we have entered, in which failing to attack early brings enormous damage later. For decades, we have heard the regime’s leaders declare, “Death to America, death to Israel.” They mean every word. They cannot destroy America. But they truly believe they can destroy Israel. So this is not only a supreme right to strike the regime. It is a supreme moral and national duty. It is not only a humanitarian act toward protesters who have waited and pleaded for outside assistance. It is first and foremost a moral obligation of Israel’s government to the people living in Israel.
It is worth remembering and repeating. Without an attack, Iran would have become a regional power that successfully deceived the United States. Without an attack, the Houthis and Iranian proxies in Iraq would have grown far stronger. Without an attack, the likelihood that Hamas would comply with phase two of a ceasefire would approach zero. Without an attack, Israel would face a growing existential threat. Without an attack, the great and powerful United States would be reduced to a paper tiger.
From every moral perspective and under international law, this is a war of no choice. In Jewish tradition, it is a mitzvah war, a commanded war. One can assume the campaign will not be easy. Israel may be struck. Israelis may pay with their lives. But sometimes, as Shakespeare wrote, a small evil is necessary to prevent a greater one.
So move forward, soldiers of Israel, in the Air Force, in intelligence, in the Mossad, and all who are involved. You must succeed. We simply have no other option.
First published: 09:53, 02.28.26