June 17, 2025
At this very moment of my writing this, I was supposed to be landing in Israel with Sharon and Hadar. Of course our plans have changed as have those of so many others. We have watched with a combination of incredible awe and immense fear as in just a few short days, Israel has once again shown her capability of planning seemingly unreal military endeavors and launching those surprise attacks with success none of us could have imagined. At the same time, we have seen our family and friends in Israel once again be subjected to unbearably intense barrages of ballistic missiles that have caused massive damage, injured many civilians and cost lives. Our hearts ache for those who suffer, yearn for an actual end to the Iranian regime and admire the accomplishments of Israel Defense Forces.
We have all said for many years that Iran poses an existential threat to the future existence of the State of Israel. Those words have escaped our lips because the Iranian nuclear program makes them true. And since it is correct that Iran’s nuclear desires and capabilities had made it an existential threat, then what is also true is that at some point that threat had to be neutralized. Words and negotiations have been tried by many, but when they did not work, Prime Minister Netanyahu ordered that which no one had done before – a coordinated attack that has had a profound impact on the entire world. Israel, the United States and every country around the world is safer today then it was a few days ago because of what Israel is doing, including the countries in the Middle East. The entire world owes Israel an enormous debt of gratitude for taking action that no other country took.
I hope that one day, the nations of the world – and the Middle East – will have the common courtesy to at least express their thanks. But in the meantime, though the war with Iran has delayed my travel to Israel, they have only furthered my love for Israel and invigorated my commitment to our Zionist cause. I pray for the safety of everyone in Israel who continues to be in harms way. I pray for the well being of the soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces and the many other branches of the Israeli intelligence apparatus who have made these terrifying days, ones of success and widespread unity. And I also pray, that even as our focus has turned further east, that those who remain hostage in Gaza be brought home to the loving embrace of their families. It is incumbent upon all of us to maintain the focus of BRING THEM HOME NOW.
Rabbi Hillel Skolnik, President. MERCAZ USA