Lawmaker Ohad Tal is chairman (i.e. whip) of the Religious Zionism faction in the Knesset and of the parliament's Caucus for Israel-United States Relations, as well as a member of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. He recently answered questions for JNS.
JNS: You were saying that, though we can easily identify the costs and the losses of the Swords of Iron war, few of us see the miracles of the last 21 months. Can you share some of them?
Ohad Tal: Miracle 1: [Hamas leader Yahya] Sinwar was a showoff. He jumped the gun by attacking our southern border earlier than Iran and its other proxies had planned as part of a united attack from several borders. His vanity gave us the opportunity to retaliate before the other attacks that we’re told were planned to go off later. That’s one reason Hezbollah wouldn’t jump in for such a long time; they were annoyed at him.
Miracle 2: The dismantling of Hezbollah. Before October 7, some 150,000 ballistic missiles in Lebanon were aimed at Israel’s cities. Now, Hezbollah is now mostly disabled—we destroyed 85% of that arsenal and in the last few days we have disabled even more, including eliminating 200 of their leaders.
Miracle 3: The destruction of the mighty Syrian army. In less than a week, we took out hundreds of their missiles and planes, rendering them helpless to attack and setting the Shi'ite militia on the run.
Miracle 4: Long-distance destruction. No other army in the world can say they have sent planes to strike down an enemy like the Houthis at such a distance: 2,000 km. away. Only the American B-2s can go that kind of distance.
Miracle 5: All of the above. The 12-day war with Iran depended on the previous four miracles. The horror that was October 7 actually helped create the conditions that allowed the strike on Iran to succeed. And, equally miraculously, every single Israeli plane returned unharmed.
October 7
JNS: So, here’s the question every leader of Israel, from the prime minister on down, is sick to death of hearing: If Israeli intelligence is second to none, how exactly did October 7 blindside us?
A: Looking back, we can see how much we wanted to fool ourselves, and how we failed to understand what the enemy is capable of. Army leaders thought people concerned about a possible attack were paranoid lunatics, making us vulnerable to a highly coordinated attack we never expected. In addition, the Palestinians were very clever. Day 1: They sent over some children. Day 2: They sent a mother and child having a picnic. Basically, they managed to trick us, and we let down our guard.
Q: How can Israel prevent this in the future?
A: The real question is: What is preventing us from achieving victory against the Palestinians now? Why is it easier for us to defeat a big power like Iran than the Palestinians, even sending them humanitarian aid we know is going directly to Hamas? Why do we trade for terrorists and agree to ceasefires that give them 60 days to re-arm to attack us again?
The truth is it’s easy to fight a monster that is far away. But we now know that true victory means taking territory. During the last ceasefire, watching the videos at the same places where they launched the October 7 attack—Palestinians flashing the victory sign because they don’t see their dead or their ruins; all they see is they have their land back.
We kept telling ourselves if we just give them an education and jobs, they will stop wanting to kill us. But now we have to face that it’s simply not true. Whatever we do for them in humanitarian aid and opportunities, they still want to destroy us and, given the opportunity, that’s what they plan to do.
And the five soldiers killed and 15 injured just this past week in northern Gaza in a Palestinian ambush? An enemy that continues to kill our finest boys must not be negotiated with, and certainly not receive “humanitarian aid.”
… imagining that negotiations are possible with them is a grave injustice that only prolongs the war and its cost. When we are afraid of saying that the Land of Israel belongs to the people of Israel, that we are fulfilling prophecy here as a kingdom of priests, we are running away from our mission.
Q: You speak a lot about the impact of the media. What does Israel’s media profile reveal?
A: That the whole world is obsessed with us—just look at the huge percentage of media coverage devoted to this tiny country, overshadowing all the other news around the world.
It also shows clearly, with all the accusations that followed the October 7 massacre that, once again, the world does not believe Jews have the right to defend ourselves.
One thing everyone needs to understand: We can’t rely on the media for the truth. For instance, we are not a divided country. A divided country could not accomplish the amazing things this small nation did in the last 21 months.
If people say we are divided, I ask them, "Do you have any dati—religious—family members?" "Of course," they say. "Any secular ones?" "Of course!" "Do you hate them?" "Ma pitom! No way!"
In Israel that’s who we are. We may differ from each other, but we are still family.
12 days of war
Q: Looking back a month, what did those 12 days of war with Iran accomplish?
A: The threat of Iran is gone, for now. We took out about half of its arsenal of missiles and most of the rest of it is buried under tons of rubble, making it hard if not impossible to salvage. And, with their B-2s, the Americans certainly set their nuclear plans way back. To have a nuclear bomb it’s not just enough to have enriched uranium and equipment; you also need scientists and a full manufacturing setup.
Still, in theory, they can always buy a bomb from another country. And the truth is, as long as there is a regime there determined to destroy Israel, their nuclear program and their entire arsenal is like a tumor that can always grow back and needs to be monitored.
Q: You’ve described America as Israel’s biggest ally—and vice versa. What’s been the impact of Trump’s return to the White House?
A: I don’t even want to think what would have happened last month if Kamala Harris had been in the White House. Trump is a good friend of Israel’s, but we have to realize that he is doing what he believes is best for America. And, more than any other president, he understands how important Israel is to maintaining America’s foothold in the Middle East.
It’s in America’s best interest to stop China’s push for world dominance by disabling its allies here, namely Iran because everyone knows the Middle East is the crossroads of the world strategically, economically and spiritually.
But there is a difference between what drives China and Iran. China wants power to bolster its economy whereas the ayatollahs have a religious, Islamic, fundamentalist agenda in which economic strength is a means to an end including the destruction of the Big Satan (America) and the Little Satan (Israel). Iran doesn’t want a seat at the regional table; it wants to flip the table altogether.
A weak America as it was in the last few years has emboldened its enemies. And Trump knows Israel is America’s biggest ally in a tough neighborhood. That’s why America has bases everywhere but Israel. They don’t need one here; we’re already on their side. For those who believe in restoring U.S. leadership without repeating the mistakes of Iraq and Afghanistan, this is what smart power looks like. Leverage strong allies that share your interests and do the job right.
Since October 7, Israel has methodically and courageously dismantled the network of proxies, the axis of evil from Iran through Syria, Lebanon, the Gaza Strip and elsewhere. Last month, when America actively joined Israel’s response to Iranian aggression, it was a watershed moment.
More than just destroying nuclear infrastructure, the president’s attack on Iran was a strategic message to the entire world: The West still has teeth.
And America didn’t need to send in the Marines. With its intelligence, cyber capabilities, air force, technologies and spies, Israel did all the heavy lifting, shattering the myth of Iranian invincibility while the U.S. showed that it means business and is not afraid to exercise force when needed.
The ripple effects will be felt in capitals from Riyadh to Damascus to Ankara, with everyone understanding the new balance of power. As for a regime change in Iran, we’re hoping and actually doing more than hoping, but I can’t say anything more about that for now.
Israel has proved to be America’s most reliable, efficient and cost-effective ally in the region. No other partner is willing or able to take the initiative, act decisively and serve as the West’s first line of defense. Together we have removed the Iranian nuclear threat against America and Israel, without American boots on the ground.
So when anyone asks, “Is Israel dragging America into another endless Middle Eastern conflict?” The answer is a resounding ‘no.’ Even with an “America First” foreign policy, it is inarguable that Israel is the single most effective force advancing American interests in the region.
Q: Did you expect Trump to pull the plug on Iran after 12 days?
A: At the end of the day, yes. You want to end a war when your score is higher than the enemy’s and you’ve gotten most of what you want.
China is invested in keeping the current regime in Iran strong, but that is not good for Israel, or America or the future of Western civilization. In a world where powerful forces are competing for dominance, and so much is on the line, America knows it needs friends who aren’t freeloaders. And Israel is the one ally holding the line of liberty, stability, security and prosperity for the entire West in the Middle East.
We know Palestinian nationality is a myth; it’s a tribal society. This week, The Wall Street Journal reported that five sheikhs in Hebron expressed interest in joining the Abraham Accords. Good things are beginning to happen.
Q: But could there come a time when our gratitude to America could tie our hands as an independent nation needing to defend ourselves from deadly enemies?
A: If it comes to that we will deal with it. Everything in life has a price.
The Gaza Strip
Q: The elephant in the room: Can you envision a real solution to Gaza, or must we expect this conflict to drag on for generations? If so, can Israel take the pain and the sacrifice?
A: We have no plan as of now to settle Gaza. First the war has to be won with Hamas eliminated, the tunnels and other terrorist infrastructure destroyed, our hostages released and as many Arabs as possible allowed to leave for other countries. Still, it’s likely our army will have to be a presence there for years to come.
Next up: Taking down the Houthis. Like Hamas, they’re a terrorist organization that can’t be trusted to stop attacking us. And I know how painful the cost is; I’ve been to way too many shivah houses over the last 21 months.
Q: How do you describe your Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee’s role in the war?
A: Simply put, we monitor the military and its operations. We often get asked, "How does such a small country defeat a big empire like Iran?" First of all, we have God on our side. Second, not only are we smarter but they have a government that terrorizes its people, and we are a democracy that listens to its people.
Q: What can you tell us about the draft bill—some 54,000 Haredim are expected to receive their draft notices soon—is the IDF prepared to accommodate them and how it will change the IDF and Israel itself?
A: I know that my family and friends and staff are in an endless cycle of miluim [IDF reserve] service. So I certainly understand that the present situation is crazy and unacceptable, that every segment of our people needs to share in the responsibility to safeguard this land from enemies who have pledged to destroy us.
But you are also asking if we are ready for them. Our job is not to just have both sides get up and yell at each other but rather to work out an enlightened and fair way for the Haredim to serve their country. Each side needs to ask itself: Do I want to be right, or do I want to solve the problem? Once we agree on the latter, we can work things out with understanding and mutual respect.
Sovereignty
Q: You introduced legislation that could reshape the Israeli map and future by extending sovereignty throughout Judea and Samaria. The initiative represents a significant shift and comes at a crucial moment in Israeli history. What will that look like?
A: One important key to Israel’s children and future generations being able to live in peace is Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria, along with demilitarization and denazification of the public systems there. To accomplish this, we need the cooperation of local sheikhs.
The idea is not to impose our democratic values on them but rather to respect their tribal autonomies meaning a better future for them and for all of us. I see great opportunities ahead in this region. Fortunately, the strength gained in the last 21 months has made this even more achievable.
Q: From your insider’s perch, how stable is the government, including the prime minister, a true cat of nine lives? Any elections in the near future?
A: We would prefer to wait for the elections and not call them in wartime. However, we can’t say with any degree of certainty that this government will live out its days until October 2026.
Q: Israel has always depended on the support of its fellow Jews around the world. With hatred against Israel and the Jewish people displayed on city streets and university campuses from London to New York, Australia to Ireland, Toronto to Switzerland, as well as in the press and on social media, are you worried about possible erosion of support from world Jewry?
A: Antisemitism is an ancient disease that afflicts humanity in recurring waves throughout history. Usually, the stronger and more victorious Israel proves to be, the more it weakens antisemitic elements around the world.
On the other hand, whenever Israel is, God forbid, perceived as weak or in danger, it fuels the waves of antisemitism; that is why the most important thing right now is to prevail on all the fronts we are fighting on; the Houthis, Iran and especially against Hamas.
The more decisively we defeat them and establish the State of Israel as a powerful, undefeatable and stable force in the region, the more the waves of antisemitism around the world will subside.
Q: What are your plans for your political future? Do you think your political star would rise higher if you were aligned with a bigger political party?
A: I never planned to be a politician, and give little thought to political strategy. Since I see I’m the most useful to my country focusing on foreign affairs, my party won’t prevent me from filling these roles in the future.
Besides, after growing up in a secular family and taking on Torah as an adult, I decided to devote my life to serving my God, my people and my country. And, for all those reasons, the Religious Zionism Party is the only one whose mission makes any sense to me personally.
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