In just six weeks, the war against the Iranian regime has reshaped the region, realigned alliances, and changed how Israel — and the world — think about what comes next
I don't see many Israelis thinking about what comes next with the exception of more of the same, just a question of when. We don't have the leadership that can define and marshal the people behind a compelling vision of the future and until that emerges we are victims of the Bibi ad hoc self-serving moves.
Only G0d knows the answer. It will require all the surrounding nations, really the world, to do several things.
Nations must accept that Israel has the inherent right to exist as a Jewish nation, that Jews have a right to follow their religion wherever they live (not that Jews must, but they have the legitimate choice), just as other nations and religions have their right to exist. That's a 2,000+ year project and counting. Nations could decide they do not accept a Jewish country OR Jews. It would not be the first time.
If Jews and a Jewish nation can exist, the world must also learn that there have been Jews in the land of Israel, and in Arab lands, since ancient times and that as new groups of Jewish people left the regularly occurring pogroms of Europe, the Ottomans were allowed to sell what was their land (Palaestina) to Jews. (Part of my own family left Spain for Tzfat in the late 1400s. And they were Cohanim, so they go back to the actual Exodus!) Did other groups of people live in the lands thousands of years before Abraham? Yes, but that is true in every land! We must all confront the truth of all our pasts.
Modern Jews must accept and understand some our brethren, in the progression to modern Israel have historically been unkind, even hostile, to local Moslems living among us at the time. Not all! But enough to make the group who call themselves Palestinian fearful. The Ottomans did not always treat them well either.
Arabs must admit they expelled nearly 1,000,000 Jews from their own newly formed countries (also, mostly, with a historical basis, but new and filled with palace intrigues), with discrimination, confiscation of property, violence. Being Jewish meant being a 'dhimmi' or 2nd class citizen, and Jews in Arab lands faced many challenges, even pogroms.
Jews in Israel cannot decry that ancient Moslem practice if they create Palestinian "dhimmis". Torah (Leviticus 24:22, Numbers 15:15–16) teaches Jews there is ONLY ONE law, statute, and judgment for citizens AND strangers alike. Hypocrisy is no way to find peace.
Here's an example: The 'Death Penalty for Terrorists Law' passed by Knesset on 30 March 2026 applies to Palestinians. Not Jews! Despicable. That is NOT a formula to get peace. It is also abhored by the majority of Israelis.
Likewise, some Arab political philosophies developed in reaction to how Arab tribes and leaders were treated by their new European colonial leaders. Europeans must be taught and understand their roles in the Middle East mess.
Arab nations need to evaluate where their politics fit with their own religious governance. Or if they want to be part of the Western or Eastern cultures. Or accept non-Moslems nations in their midst.
Each country may need a new generation, to find leaders willing to provide education (raising children with reality of what brings us to our current reality) to accept each other.
That's quite a tall order. Could there be peace with Palestinians? I hope so. The majority are lovely, kind, but educated by the minority in leadership to hate Jews. In Gaza? Many are too afraid of Hamas to stand up. And because of the profound overuse of force in October 7 war? Rightly afraid of Israel!
That's why education is so critical. But it is for every nation or group. Not just Palestinians. Not only Jews. Unless Palestinians see fundamental changes in us, what hope have they?
And Jews? Look at the demonstrations that happen almost weekly to advocate for different laws and lawmakers. And frankly, our most observant (their term, not mine) aren't kind to 'less observant' Jews. Our own house is in bad order.
But if Israel can live peacefully alongside Germans after WWII and Shoah? If native Americans can live alongside immigrants? If Japan can consider the US an ally after Hiroshima and Nagasaki? Yes, maybe, someday, Palestinians, Arab nations and Israel can find peace. But first better, more empathetic, educated leaders.
The American public has absolutely no idea of what Israel has endured for decades.
However Americans are now well schooled in why they dislike Israel and Netanyahu after Israel's actions in Gaza. By pro-Palestine and anti-Semetic/Zionism groups! Even Jews have joined the pro-Palestine movement!
How did pro-Israel groups, synagogues, and Israel as a Jewish "north star" not actively fight the discrimatory canards the world over, lead by ISRAEL?
Because in the diaspora, Jews are regularly under verbal and physical attack. I am Israeli American, did my Israeli military service, lost loved ones to terrorist attacks, and spent another 2 years in the US as a hasbara spokesperson. The responses of the last few years is shameful.
I must also add, so many say Israel & Netanyahu got tRump to start Iran war.
How about tRump's financial partner, Saudi Arabia?
If Washington Post is correct, Saudis may not be dropping bombs but they played tRump.
Where's the hasbara for that? Because Jews in the diaspora are taking a painful hit.
Just as shameful is the violence happening (or so we are told by even Israeli media, and i do believe it) to non-terrorist Palestinians on the West Bank perpetrated by Jewish settlers, and Israeli leaders turning a blind eye.
Perhaps, worst of all, the Knesset passed a bill that treats the same despicable behaviour differently depending on whether or not a person is Jewish! Read the Torah.
Uniform justice is required by Torah (Leviticus 24:22, Numbers 15:15–16). there is to be ONLY ONE law, statute, and judgment for citizens AND strangers alike.
If Israel wants Jews and Israelis in the diaspora to stand up for Israel, Israel has stand up for us! Use Torah as a guide. Teach the nations about Israeli reality so they are NOT swayed by misinformation. Treat non-Jewish, non-terrorist civilians with greater care, so Israel gets support instead of antipathy and disdain.
Explain, better, show the reality of the tunnels, the hospitals and schools from which deadly missiles are shot into Israel. Instead of putting money into political campaigns, put it into education campaigns so the politicians and citizens are "schooled" in reality and develop empathy.
And teach Israelis, especially settlers, to have empathy with their neighbours.
There is a time for war. We all need a time for peace. Turn swords into plowshares.
Thanks, Avi, for explaining why so many of my Israeli friends and family support this operation. Given Israel's position in the Middle East, I can understand why (in the short term) this may be viewed as positive for Israel. However, I have two major concerns (one for Israel, another for the US and the rest of the world).
As to Israel, I fear that this is the latest, if not most significant example, of "mowing the lawn." This has been the root of repeated wars attempting to eliminate Israel's enemies. Each "lawn mowing" (in Gaza or Lebanon) has resulted in a more dangerous and intense subsequent round of warfare. If AI developments continue as forecast, I shudder to think of the results of the "next round," particularly in light of the increasing prevalence of asymmetric warfare.
As for the US and the rest of the world, while Iran posed no immediate threat to the US, the regime now in Iran (seemingly more in control than ever) has finally understood that their strangle-hold on the the Straits poses a greater threat to the US and the world than any weapons program they might have had before (and which they can rebuild). In the meantime, the prestige of the US has been undermined in general, and our current President's actions have threatened NATO (which has been a sources of security for 75 years). In my view, given the initial US objectives at the outset of this war, we have been defeated by a fourth-rate military power. If this is indeed a Suez moment for the US, the long-term dangers to the world in general and Israel in particular are significant.
I follow Israeli politics from SE Florida. I can’t wait to see the Oz party in action during the upcoming elections.
Dr. Wilf is more than capable. She personifies not only intelligence, but strength, courage, and valor. Oz indeed.
Adore Einat Wilf. "The War of Return" is such a great book, and everything she says on video is brilliant.
Yes!
I don't see many Israelis thinking about what comes next with the exception of more of the same, just a question of when. We don't have the leadership that can define and marshal the people behind a compelling vision of the future and until that emerges we are victims of the Bibi ad hoc self-serving moves.
Only G0d knows the answer. It will require all the surrounding nations, really the world, to do several things.
Nations must accept that Israel has the inherent right to exist as a Jewish nation, that Jews have a right to follow their religion wherever they live (not that Jews must, but they have the legitimate choice), just as other nations and religions have their right to exist. That's a 2,000+ year project and counting. Nations could decide they do not accept a Jewish country OR Jews. It would not be the first time.
If Jews and a Jewish nation can exist, the world must also learn that there have been Jews in the land of Israel, and in Arab lands, since ancient times and that as new groups of Jewish people left the regularly occurring pogroms of Europe, the Ottomans were allowed to sell what was their land (Palaestina) to Jews. (Part of my own family left Spain for Tzfat in the late 1400s. And they were Cohanim, so they go back to the actual Exodus!) Did other groups of people live in the lands thousands of years before Abraham? Yes, but that is true in every land! We must all confront the truth of all our pasts.
Modern Jews must accept and understand some our brethren, in the progression to modern Israel have historically been unkind, even hostile, to local Moslems living among us at the time. Not all! But enough to make the group who call themselves Palestinian fearful. The Ottomans did not always treat them well either.
Arabs must admit they expelled nearly 1,000,000 Jews from their own newly formed countries (also, mostly, with a historical basis, but new and filled with palace intrigues), with discrimination, confiscation of property, violence. Being Jewish meant being a 'dhimmi' or 2nd class citizen, and Jews in Arab lands faced many challenges, even pogroms.
Jews in Israel cannot decry that ancient Moslem practice if they create Palestinian "dhimmis". Torah (Leviticus 24:22, Numbers 15:15–16) teaches Jews there is ONLY ONE law, statute, and judgment for citizens AND strangers alike. Hypocrisy is no way to find peace.
Here's an example: The 'Death Penalty for Terrorists Law' passed by Knesset on 30 March 2026 applies to Palestinians. Not Jews! Despicable. That is NOT a formula to get peace. It is also abhored by the majority of Israelis.
Likewise, some Arab political philosophies developed in reaction to how Arab tribes and leaders were treated by their new European colonial leaders. Europeans must be taught and understand their roles in the Middle East mess.
Arab nations need to evaluate where their politics fit with their own religious governance. Or if they want to be part of the Western or Eastern cultures. Or accept non-Moslems nations in their midst.
Each country may need a new generation, to find leaders willing to provide education (raising children with reality of what brings us to our current reality) to accept each other.
That's quite a tall order. Could there be peace with Palestinians? I hope so. The majority are lovely, kind, but educated by the minority in leadership to hate Jews. In Gaza? Many are too afraid of Hamas to stand up. And because of the profound overuse of force in October 7 war? Rightly afraid of Israel!
That's why education is so critical. But it is for every nation or group. Not just Palestinians. Not only Jews. Unless Palestinians see fundamental changes in us, what hope have they?
And Jews? Look at the demonstrations that happen almost weekly to advocate for different laws and lawmakers. And frankly, our most observant (their term, not mine) aren't kind to 'less observant' Jews. Our own house is in bad order.
But if Israel can live peacefully alongside Germans after WWII and Shoah? If native Americans can live alongside immigrants? If Japan can consider the US an ally after Hiroshima and Nagasaki? Yes, maybe, someday, Palestinians, Arab nations and Israel can find peace. But first better, more empathetic, educated leaders.
The American public has absolutely no idea of what Israel has endured for decades.
However Americans are now well schooled in why they dislike Israel and Netanyahu after Israel's actions in Gaza. By pro-Palestine and anti-Semetic/Zionism groups! Even Jews have joined the pro-Palestine movement!
How did pro-Israel groups, synagogues, and Israel as a Jewish "north star" not actively fight the discrimatory canards the world over, lead by ISRAEL?
Because in the diaspora, Jews are regularly under verbal and physical attack. I am Israeli American, did my Israeli military service, lost loved ones to terrorist attacks, and spent another 2 years in the US as a hasbara spokesperson. The responses of the last few years is shameful.
I must also add, so many say Israel & Netanyahu got tRump to start Iran war.
How about tRump's financial partner, Saudi Arabia?
If Washington Post is correct, Saudis may not be dropping bombs but they played tRump.
Where's the hasbara for that? Because Jews in the diaspora are taking a painful hit.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/02/28/trump-iran-decision-saudi-arabia-israel/
PDF version of article: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/b9tm0ckkzfpi3sawmth6h/washingtonpost-politics-2026-02-28-trump-iran-decision-saudi-arabia-israel-2026-04-06-15_27_18.pdf?rlkey=mfrvi3rw6dluudlsgzi21c9bp&st=2dfz2l3w&dl=0
Just as shameful is the violence happening (or so we are told by even Israeli media, and i do believe it) to non-terrorist Palestinians on the West Bank perpetrated by Jewish settlers, and Israeli leaders turning a blind eye.
Perhaps, worst of all, the Knesset passed a bill that treats the same despicable behaviour differently depending on whether or not a person is Jewish! Read the Torah.
Uniform justice is required by Torah (Leviticus 24:22, Numbers 15:15–16). there is to be ONLY ONE law, statute, and judgment for citizens AND strangers alike.
If Israel wants Jews and Israelis in the diaspora to stand up for Israel, Israel has stand up for us! Use Torah as a guide. Teach the nations about Israeli reality so they are NOT swayed by misinformation. Treat non-Jewish, non-terrorist civilians with greater care, so Israel gets support instead of antipathy and disdain.
Explain, better, show the reality of the tunnels, the hospitals and schools from which deadly missiles are shot into Israel. Instead of putting money into political campaigns, put it into education campaigns so the politicians and citizens are "schooled" in reality and develop empathy.
And teach Israelis, especially settlers, to have empathy with their neighbours.
There is a time for war. We all need a time for peace. Turn swords into plowshares.
Do you think peace is possible with the palestinians ?
Thanks, Avi, for explaining why so many of my Israeli friends and family support this operation. Given Israel's position in the Middle East, I can understand why (in the short term) this may be viewed as positive for Israel. However, I have two major concerns (one for Israel, another for the US and the rest of the world).
As to Israel, I fear that this is the latest, if not most significant example, of "mowing the lawn." This has been the root of repeated wars attempting to eliminate Israel's enemies. Each "lawn mowing" (in Gaza or Lebanon) has resulted in a more dangerous and intense subsequent round of warfare. If AI developments continue as forecast, I shudder to think of the results of the "next round," particularly in light of the increasing prevalence of asymmetric warfare.
As for the US and the rest of the world, while Iran posed no immediate threat to the US, the regime now in Iran (seemingly more in control than ever) has finally understood that their strangle-hold on the the Straits poses a greater threat to the US and the world than any weapons program they might have had before (and which they can rebuild). In the meantime, the prestige of the US has been undermined in general, and our current President's actions have threatened NATO (which has been a sources of security for 75 years). In my view, given the initial US objectives at the outset of this war, we have been defeated by a fourth-rate military power. If this is indeed a Suez moment for the US, the long-term dangers to the world in general and Israel in particular are significant.
Stay safe, Shabbat Shalom
Thank you for another thoughtful piece. Stay safe. Shabbat Shalom ✨