In moments of great tension and uncertainty, the Jewish community is guided by both history and responsibility. As the war with Iran intensifies, we must begin by stating clearly what should always be our first hope: no one seeks war.
The people of Israel do not seek war.
The United States does not seek war.
The Jewish community, which has known the horrors of violence and displacement across generations, certainly does not seek war.
Yet history also teaches us that peace cannot exist when terror is allowed to flourish unchecked. For decades, the Iranian regime has been one of the world’s leading sponsors of terrorism. Through the funding, training, and arming of proxy militias and extremist groups across the Middle East and beyond, Iran has helped endanger the lives of Israelis every single day. Rockets fired at civilian communities, attacks against Jewish targets, and the ongoing threat to Israel’s security are all part of a long and troubling pattern.
The danger has not been limited to Israel alone. Americans have also paid a heavy price for Iran’s support of terror networks. From the hostage crisis in 1979 to the 1983 Beirut barracks, from the 1996 Khobar Towers attack to numerous acts of violence against American personnel and interests around the world, the consequences of this terror infrastructure have been felt far beyond the region.
In this difficult moment, we recognize the extraordinary courage of the soldiers and service members working to defend freedom and security. The brave men and women of the Israel Defense Forces stand on the front lines protecting the citizens of Israel. Right next to them are the dedicated members of the United States military and security community, whose partnership with Israel reflects a shared commitment to democracy, stability, and the protection of innocent life.
The Jewish tradition speaks powerfully to the moral complexity of defending peace. In the book of Deuteronomy we are taught: “Choose life, so that you and your children may live.” This ancient instruction reminds us that preserving life must remain the ultimate goal even in times of conflict. The pursuit of peace is always our highest aspiration—but protecting life sometimes requires strength, vigilance, and unity.
As a Jewish community, we pray for the safety of all who are in harm’s way.
We pray for the protection of Israel, for the safety of American service members, and for the day when diplomacy and peace can replace violence and terror.
Until that day arrives, we stand firmly with those who defend life, freedom, and the right of Israel to live in security.
