If there were ever any doubt that this is a just war, look at the destruction, death and devastation one Iranian missile can cause. And remember the 1,200 innocent civilians murdered on October 7, the hundreds who were kidnapped, and the countless victims of terror attacks over decades across the globe—long before this war began.

The Iranian regime—and the terror proxies it funds and directs—has spent decades openly preaching hatred toward Israel and the West. As Menachem Begin famously said: “When your enemy says they plan to kill you, believe them.”

Ali Khamenei, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and their minions have been remarkably consistent—steadily building weapons designed to kill Jews, destroy Israel, and attack America. Did anyone honestly believe their pursuit of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles was ever for peaceful purposes, or that their rhetoric was merely symbolic?

Like Benjamin Netanyahu or not, he has warned the world about this threat for years. Popular opinion aside, many world leaders chose appeasement over confrontation. That policy failure is precisely what brought us to this moment—making it now or never.

As an Israeli and a U.S. citizen, I commend Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Trump for decisive action. You may dislike one or both of them—but do not allow personal dislike, or even hatred, to obscure the significance of leadership and what striking Iran and degrading or destroying its nuclear and ballistic capabilities will mean for our future. As my daughter’s commander powerfully said: “We are doing this for our children, our grandchildren, and all future generations.”

My father used to say that debriding an ulcer is one of the most painful processes a person can endure—but it is necessary for healing. War is brutal. It is never pretty. But avoiding painful action does not make a threat disappear.

In 1981, Israel was widely condemned for destroying Iraq’s Osirak reactor—later understood to be part of Saddam Hussein’s nuclear weapons ambitions. In 2007, Israel destroyed a secret Syrian nuclear facility built in collaboration with North Korea and hidden from international inspectors. In both cases, Israel acted alone when others hesitated, was criticized in real time, and later vindicated when the full facts emerged. This will be no different. The Jewish people have stared down existential threats for more than 3,300 years—and endured. We don’t need history lessons.

Now the world can show its true colors. Stand with the Iranian people who yearn for freedom. Stand with democracy. Stand against tyranny. Stand with Israel.

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)