Israeli Public Divided Over Preemptive Strike Against Iran

Keren Setton reports that Israelis are anxiously anticipating an Iranian retaliatory attack following the recent assassinations of two senior terrorists. The Israeli military’s Home Front Command has urged the public to maintain normalcy, but anxiety prevails. Israeli defense officials predict that Iran will strike back within days. Iran and its allies have vowed revenge for the killings of Fuad Shukr of Hezbollah in Beirut and Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas in Tehran. While Israel has taken responsibility for Shukr’s death, it has not acknowledged involvement in Haniyeh’s assassination, although it is widely suspected.

Israeli officials have stated that the country is ready for a multifront attack, which could potentially lead to a larger regional war. Some in Israel advocate for a preemptive strike on Iran if there is credible evidence of an imminent attack. A poll indicates that half of the Israeli public supports such a move. Ambassador Alan Baker mentioned that Israel and the US would likely have solid evidence before taking action to prevent a wider war. Setton also highlights the increased international efforts to build a coalition to thwart Iranian attacks, similar to the one formed last April.

Professor Danny Orbach of Hebrew University of Jerusalem and other experts stress the importance of a high-quality preemptive attack to prevent further escalation. Orbach and Moshe Davidovitch underscore the need for a clear strategy to protect Israeli civilians and shift the fear to the enemy. With the new school year approaching and security concerns rising, the Israeli government’s strategy and international diplomatic efforts are crucial in addressing the threat.

To read the full article by Keren Setton, click here.