On Tuesday, Iran launched its most significant attack against Israel since the dawn of the Islamic Republic. More than 180 ballistic missiles were launched in a short period; 15 minutes later they were being intercepted by Israeli missile defense systems, with an assist from the American, Jordanian, and British armed forces.

Some missiles either evaded the defense system or their shrapnel fell in populated areas. As a result, one Palestinian from Gaza was killed in Jericho. Two other people were wounded. Minutes before the Iranian attack, terrorists from Hebron killed seven Israelis in cold blood and wounded 17 at a light rail station in Jaffa– Hamas claimed the attack.

Though Israel’s defense systems provided the Jewish state with miraculous protection against the onslaught, the entire world knows that Jerusalem must respond lest Israel suffer more – and more lethal – attacks.

“Policy by Other Means…”

The Iranian barrage comes on the heels of Israel having conducted among the most brilliant decapitations of a terrorist or military entity in history. Within a matter of weeks, Israel wounded or killed the bulk of Hezbollah’s middle and upper management through covert and overt action.

The coup de grace was the elimination of Hassan Nasrallah, the head of Hezbollah and among the deadliest terrorists in the world.  Killing Hezbollah’s leaders is just and will benefit every innocent in the region (there’s a reason Nasrallah’s death was celebrated in Lebanon, Syria, and elsewhere around the globe).

Israel’s perspective on the Iranian barrage was succinctly explained by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when he said, “Iran made a big mistake tonight - and it will pay for it. The regime in Iran does not understand our determination to defend ourselves and our determination to retaliate against our enemies.”

Bottom line: Israel will respond, and Tehran’s Tyrants will feel it.

The Geo-Political Situation

The initial American response to the unprecedented Iranian attack was strong, but there has since been some equivocation. At present, the White House’s actual, tangible position is largely unclear. Unambiguous leadership is required of Washington at this moment; yet, tragically, the current political situation in America does not lend itself to such.

Nonetheless, as CUFI Action Fund Chairwoman Sandra Parker put it following the Iranian onslaught, “Israel is in the midst of a war for her survival. We expect political leaders in both parties to be in lockstep in both word and deed at this moment and be clear that they stand united as Americans with Israel as she defends herself. Politicizing support for the Jewish state… will be seen for what it is by voters.”

Elsewhere in the world, a lack of clarity is not the problem, rather, it’s a lack of morality. What follows is the full statement from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in the wake of Iran’s attack, “I condemn the broadening of the Middle East conflict, with escalation after escalation. This must stop.  We absolutely need a ceasefire.”

Really? Twenty-something words is all he could muster? No mention of Iran? No mention of respecting Israeli sovereignty?

That’s odd because the same day, Guterres’s spokesperson issued a significantly longer statement concerning Israel’s ground operations in Lebanon, wherein he specifically noted, “the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon must be respected.”

Clearly, the Secretary General of the United Nations sees Israel’s sovereign rights – including its right to self-defense - as somehow lesser than all other UN member states. Mr. Guterres’s statements are as cowardly as they are ineffectual. And rest assured, he will be ignored.

In fact, the Israelis have now declared him persona non grata, which means Mr. Guterres will no longer be welcome in Israel – ever.

Tomorrow

According to reports, Israel is weighing several options for responding to Iran’s attack. Israel’s goal will be to reestablish deterrence and inhibit Iran’s ability to export terror.

This could be achieved in any number of ways. Options include attacking some or all of the following types of targets: Command and control centers, naval capabilities, nuclear sites, energy-related locations, and/or targeted eliminations of select individuals, among others.

Regardless of what Israel does next, the Israelis will require American support – both in word and deed. Israel’s defense against Iran’s missiles, destruction of Hezbollah’s leadership and its military defeat of Hamas, cost billions of dollars. If the United States would like to see the Iranian menace brought to heel without Americans being asked to engage in a direct conflict with Tehran, Washington needs to rapidly resupply Israel’s war needs.

Failure to do so will not change the outcome of this war – Israel will be victorious. But unequivocal support for Israel would shorten this conflict and save countless lives. Moreover, Israel’s strong posture vis-a-vis Iran may be the best hope for the hostages still held for nearly a year in Hamas’s underground Gazan hellscape.

As for our house, CUFI founder and Chairman Pastor John Hagee put it best in his comments immediately following the attack, “We have reached a tipping point in the Middle East. Israel spent years warning the world against appeasing Iran in the hopes today would never come, but the world did not listen. Israel will now decide how to address Iran’s most recent attack on the Jewish homeland. And, whatever comes next, 10 million members of Christians United for Israel will be standing steadfast with nearly 10 million Israelis.”

Sincerely,

The CUFI Action Fund