Shortly after the Israeli–American preemptive strike on Saturday morning, February 28, I was called back to my reserves IDF unit.

Saying goodbye to my wife and children is never easy. My 10-year-old daughter gave me a long hug and promised she and her siblings would be strong. She told me she was proud of me. Her words brought tears to my eyes.

Like on October 7, the streets were nearly empty of civilians — but filled with reservists making their way to their bases.

Our nephew, an IDF officer who had spent Shabbat with us, needed a ride as well. I dropped him off at his base and continued to mine.

Within hours of arriving at base, we were fully equipped — weapons issued, vehicles assigned, briefings underway. The efficiency is striking. In moments like these, arguments fade. Backgrounds blur. Political differences shrink. There is simply responsibility.

Over the past 48 hours, we have prepared for a range of scenarios and potential escalation on the northern front. There is also waiting — long stretches of uncertainty between updates. It is in that waiting that thoughts surface.

Unlike October 7, the volume of support from friends and family abroad has been noticeably smaller. To be clear, this is not about private messages of support — I deeply appreciate those. My concern is the near absence of public support on social media.

This is not a complaint. It is an observation. And perhaps it opens a conversation we need to have.

American Jews today live in a complicated reality. Many are navigating polarized political environments. Some are deeply uncomfortable with certain leaders or policies — in Israel or in the United States. Others worry about professional or social consequences for speaking publicly. Some simply feel exhausted.

I understand all of that. But I also believe something important risks being lost.

Support for Israel’s right to defend its citizens should not require agreement with every policy. Solidarity does not mean uniformity.

More importantly, this war is not only about Israel.

It is about a regional reality that has been shaped for decades by a regime in Tehran that funds proxies, destabilizes neighbors, and openly calls for Israel’s destruction. It is about the possibility — however fragile — of a Middle East that moves toward cooperation instead of perpetual militia rule. It is about standing with millions of Iranian citizens who deserve a future free from repression and ideological extremism.

This moment is larger than a single government. Larger than a single election cycle. Larger than any one political personality.

Recently, Tucker Carlson suggested that President Donald Trump might be the last pro-Israel president in the White House.

I do not accept that premise.

The American–Israeli alliance has been built over decades — across administrations, across parties, across ideological divides. It is grounded not only in shared interests, but in shared democratic values and deep people-to-people ties.

But alliances are not static. They are renewed — generation by generation — by citizens who choose to reinforce them.

Here in uniform, left and right serve side by side. Secular and religious stand in the same line for equipment. Protesters and supporters from last year’s demonstrations now share armored vehicles and responsibility.

When the sirens sound, politics recede.

Perhaps the conversation we need to have is this: Can we preserve that same clarity across the ocean?

You do not have to endorse every policy to say clearly that Israel has a right to defend itself. You do not have to silence criticism to express solidarity with families who send their sons and daughters to reserve duty. You do not have to choose a party to choose a people.

We, on the northern front, are doing our part to demonstrate that the bond between our two countries is real.

The question is not whether the alliance is strong. It is.

The question is whether we are willing to nurture it — openly, responsibly, and courageously — in our own communities.

From a base in the north — waiting, prepared, and hopeful.

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)