The United States will make its own decision about whether to enter the war against Iran, and Israel will not pressure the Trump administration to do so, Minister of Diaspora and Combating Antisemitism Amichai Chikli told JNS on Thursday.
The statement follows the White House’s announcement that President Donald Trump will make a definitive decision on whether to enter the conflict within two weeks.
“The United States has an excellent president who knows exactly what is in the best interest of his country,” Chikli said. “We don’t make decisions for them.”
“But it’s no secret that Iran is the enemy of the United States,” he continued. “At every conference and parade of this regime, they shout, ‘Death to America, Death to Israel.’”
Chikli said that the world has not forgotten Iran’s nefarious activities, such as the 1979-81 U.S. embassy hostage crisis in Tehran, where American diplomats were held captive for more than a year. He also referenced the 1983 Hezbollah attack on the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut, which resulted in the deaths of 241 American service members and 58 French personnel.
These events, he emphasized, are stark reminders of Iran’s longstanding hostility toward the United States and its direct involvement in attacks on Americans.
“Iran is an enemy of America, an enemy of Israel, and an enemy of Western civilization,” Chikli said.
“It’s up to each state, including the U.S., to decide if they want to join us,” he continued. “We respect every decision. We are grateful for President Trump’s diplomatic support in recent weeks and for his role in removing the arms embargo imposed by the Biden administration, which has allowed us to purchase the crucial weapons needed for these operations.”
Chikli stressed that Israel is facing an existential threat, particularly from ballistic missiles, which are now being systematically neutralized. He added that the military is targeting missile factories, arsenals and launchers, having already eliminated two-thirds of the stockpile.
Regarding the nuclear threat, Chikli said, “We’re taking steps, one by one, targeting key sites like Natanz, Isfahan and Arak. Top scientists working on Iran’s nuclear project have been eliminated, and we’re determined to finish the job.”
Opposition lawmaker Karine Elharrar (Yesh Atid) told JNS that Iran represents a “grave threat” not only to Israel but to the entire world. She highlighted Tehran’s ballistic missile strike on Thursday that targeted Soroka Medical Center in Beersheva.
“The threat will only be neutralized if Iran is completely prevented from acquiring nuclear capabilities and if its ballistic arsenal is dismantled,” she said. “Additionally, Iran must be deterred and made to understand that it cannot continue to act against us in the region without facing serious consequences.”
Religious Zionism lawmaker Simcha Rothman told JNS that the world should not require an attack on a hospital to recognize Iran as a threat, pointing out that the Islamic Republic has been targeting civilian areas from the very beginning of the war.
“Iran was behind Hamas’s vicious attacks on Oct. 7, 2023, both before and after, and has been behind Hezbollah’s attacks as well. Iran has always directed its attacks at civilians in the most brutal ways, both then and now. The world sees this, and those who choose not to stand with Israel do so willingly, supporting evil,” he said.
He emphasized that Israel is following the right course of action, saying that it is essential to dismantle Iran’s missile and nuclear programs, as both pose a direct threat to Israel and global peace. The ultimate goal, he added, is to eliminate Iran’s capacity to target Israel.
“I believe President Trump understands the situation,” said Rothman. “We see how he speaks publicly, and he recognizes that this is an opportunity to make the world a better place. I believe he wants to be part of it and lead this effort.”