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As the sun sets on us tonight, Israel will already be facing a new day. Once again, it will be a day filled with trepidation and uncertainty. Rumblings of war with Iran, along with U.S. battleships stationed in the Gulf, have raised threat levels and anxiety across the region. The emotional scars of October 7th haven’t even healed.
In Israel, calm can vanish overnight. Ordinary life can change in an instant. Sirens can replace school bells. Shelters can replace playgrounds. Parents go to sleep not knowing what their children will wake to, or whether they will need to drag them, scared and sleepy, to a shelter below.
But what happens oceans away is not just Israel’s problem. It is America’s problem, too. A direct attack on Israel would not remain contained. It would threaten U.S. forces, allies, shipping routes, and global stability. Iran’s reach extends across the region through armed proxy groups that could ignite a wider war in hours. American lives and interests could be drawn into the conflict.
Israel has always been our strongest and most reliable ally in the Middle East. It is a democracy, though sometimes as flawed as ours, in a dangerous neighborhood where neighbors seek its annihilation. Israel is also a key strategic partner that shares intelligence, technology, and military expertise to protect Americans as well as Israelis.
Meanwhile, Iran continues to arm itself, fund terrorism, and openly threaten Israel’s existence. Its terror can easily spread from the Middle East to Europe and even to us. Iran’s missiles, drones, and proxy forces pose a real and growing danger.
A moment like this requires steady leadership from Washington and clear objectives. However, our faith has been shattered in those we expect to lead, from the President to the Secretary of Defense and others. That is why bipartisan support and oversight in Congress is critical. Congress controls funding and military assistance.
Amid a possible Iranian attack on Israel, midterm candidates are questioning continued aid to Israel or calling for conditions on that support. Campaign promises can quickly become votes that affect funding, security cooperation, and the balance of power in a volatile region. Our enemies take notice when we are divided, and they sense an opening.
Questions also remain about the long-term direction of U.S. policy in the Middle East. Trump has approached foreign policy in transactional terms and a “what can it do for me” mindset. This leads to concerns about whether America will sustain a consistent, long-term commitment to the region. Instability grows when doubts grow.
The safety of Israel, the stability of the Middle East, and the credibility of the U.S. are tightly intertwined. With a volatile President, Congress must take the reins and lead.
Elections have consequences.
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