OpinionIsrael at War

Israel’s crisis is also an opportunity

Hamas’s barbaric attack has opened a brief window to destroy Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Iran’s nuclear program.

Palestinians inspect a house destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in the city of Rafah in the Gaza Strip on Oct. 9, 2023. Credit: Abed Rahim Khatib/Flash90.
Palestinians inspect a house destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in the city of Rafah in the Gaza Strip on Oct. 9, 2023. Credit: Abed Rahim Khatib/Flash90.
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Joseph Frager
Dr. Joseph Frager is a lifelong activist and physician. He is chairman of Israel advocacy for the Rabbinical Alliance of America, chairman of the executive committee of American Friends of Ateret Cohanim and executive vice president of the Israel Heritage Foundation.

The world witnessed one of the most barbaric, monstrous and depraved pogroms of all time on Israel’s Sabbath and the Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah holiday, carried out by Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

The death toll continues to rise. It is estimated to be 700 at this time with over 100 taken hostage. Some 1,500 were injured, many of them critically. Babies were killed in front of their parents and parents were killed in front of their children. There was no end to the atrocities committed by the terrorists.

World opinion is on Israel’s side for now. But the window of opportunity to once and for all crush Hamas and Islamic Jihad won’t last long. Since the head of the snake is Iran, Israel must take care of business there as well.

This may seem like an impossible task. It is all the more complicated by the over 100 hostages that Hamas has taken to be used both as human shields and bargaining chips. Israel will do everything in its power to keep those people alive.

America must be a full partner in this, especially because a number of the hostages are American citizens. Israel must act quickly. Every minute is precious. Hamas will try to send as many of the hostages as possible to Iran, similar to how Israeli Air Force pilot Ron Arad was and has never been heard from since.

Israel has its hands full, since it is still cleaning out Hamas terrorists on Israeli soil. It also must worry about whether Iran will open the Hezbollah front in the north. This has been Iran’s plan all along.

Israel must be prepared for this, especially if it attacks Iran’s nuclear program. Nonetheless, this is the time for Israel to strike Iran. In an election year, both Democrats and Republicans will be supportive. President Joe Biden has said over and over again that he will never allow Iran to build a nuclear bomb. In an election year, he cannot afford to allow Iran to do just that. If he goes against his word, the $6 billion he just gave Iran will look like child’s play. I do not think he wants to risk losing an election over Iran.

Israel, for its part, must be fully united. As we saw during the Yom Kippur War 50 years ago, Israel’s existence is more precarious than most want to admit. This is not a time for infighting. Unity is essential.

David Ben-Gurion said, “In Israel, in order to be a realist you must believe in miracles.” These miracles occur when Israel is united. Israel will turn this around, as it did during the Yom Kippur War. It will be difficult and we must pray hard. The window is now wide open for Israel to finally finish off Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Iran’s nuclear threat. The world will be a lot safer when this happens. With God’s help, it will.

The opinions and facts presented in this article are those of the author, and neither JNS nor its partners assume any responsibility for them.
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