During the Yom Kippur War in 1973, Golda Meir rejected early ceasefire calls to secure a decisive victory and restore Israel’s deterrence; Now, Netanyahu faces a similar choice in conflict with Iran.
Imagine what the world would look like if the Allies left Nazi Germany and Hitler in place simply to stop the violence. Some hard things are necessary to make way for a better future. Take care.
Finish the job, Israel. Do it on your terms. If that means taking out that s.o.b. in Tehran, so be it. This is one of those instances in life where it's better to apologize than ask permission. The feckless leaders of other counties will condemn you no matter what you do. Play it your way. Godspeed.
Hear hear! I am a U.S. citizen, non-Jew, who admires Israel’s crystal clear vision, courage, and unapologetic resolve, characteristics shamefully lacking in most Western nations. Chazak ve’ematz! Shalom u’b’hatzlacha!
This is not the time to negotiate. This is a time to bring Iran to its knees and demand an unconditional surrender. Regime change must be the end goal.
I would revise the word despise. This is far more than a clock twice a day moment. Maybe, just maybe, you were at least somewhat wrong about the guy. It's almost a fad to hate Bibi and these days there are many such fads.
It isn’t a fad. His contempt for American Jews and his embrace of Christian American evangelicals who tout support for Israel while suppressing Jewish religious rights at home are out of bounds. Nonetheless I still give credit where it is due, which is more than he would grant ME.
mr Levinson. I'm an American Jew, novelist, screen writer and many other things.You can look it up if interested. I know many evangelicals and have not seen a single one suppress Jewish religious rights. I guess it must happen, as everything does, but perhaps you can enlighten with specifics
It’s Mrs. And I live in TX; the evangelical Christian politicians here just passed a law forcing religion into schools with the posting of the Protestant version of the 10 Commandments and also a school voucher bill that subsidizes private schools including religious ones, virtually all of which are Christian. Not to mention anti abortion policy that endangers women, including Jewish women, that doesn’t account for Jewish views of the matter and instead adopts the evangelical Christian view.
Israel must defang Iran, not by a liar’s promise at a negotiating table, but by overwhelming force. Arabs and Persians respect and fear strength. They are not weak and woke like the Western world. But no nation building. Lesson learned.
Agreed. Unfortunately, the U.S.’s past mistakes—persisting in Vietnam, invading Iraq without justification (against, by the way, Netanyahu’s advice), and occupying Afghanistan (and then abandoning its friends upon withdrawal)—have deluded the U.S. into thinking that all military attacks are ill-advised. Yes, let’s avoid boots on the ground, occupations, and nation building. But when necessary, in a just cause, strike with intelligence and fury, as Israel demonstrates magnificently.
Shalom v'todah rabah on this piece Michael. I remember that moment in time very well - Golda Meir was my Prime Minister when I moved to Israel in 1971 from the USA as a Labor Zionist from "Ichud" Habonim in Cincinnati. On October 6, 1973 I was married and almost 8 months pregnant with my oldest son when that 2 PM siren went off on Yom Kippur Day, and I can still hear it. As I made way down from the top floor in our Shderot Ha'atzmaut very small flat in Bat Yam - I was crying and shaking like a leaf -until the all clear came on as I arrived to the ground floor miklat. We had to put up black out curtains on the mirpesset windows and paint our headlights blue. Sunday through Friday I would drive to and from Bat Yam to Herziliah Bet - at night with the black out curtains drawn I would watch Dado Elazar with his map and pointer briefing us as he showed us kochoteinu (our troops) wearing infrared cams on their helmits for night vision. I cut my wisdom teeth on that war, and my husband was in the reserves/miluim. Yes It appears that Bibi is having his Golda z"l moment. Seeing and living all this since 10.7.23 is almost like re-living a long drawn out 1973 all over again. Kol Tuv. My late survivor parents would be rolling over.
Indeed, this is the moment and he is the leader. Will he buckle? Not so sure. He signed the questionable Wye Agreement. Will he stand fast. Golda was said to be the only one with balls in the room (or something to that effect).
Unfortunately, the U.S.’s past mistakes—persisting in Vietnam, invading Iraq without justification (against, by the way, Netanyahu’s advice), and occupying Afghanistan (and then abandoning its friends upon withdrawal)—have deluded the U.S. into thinking that all military attacks are ill-advised. Yes, let’s avoid boots on the ground, occupations, and nation building. But when necessary, in a just cause, strike with intelligence and fury, as Israel demonstrates magnificently.
The real challenge is to permanently disarm Iran and turn it into a nation of peace (the meaning of the word ‘Islam’) Only regime change can accomplish this. Anything else will delay but not prevent Iran’s attempt to nuke Israel. That Israel will nuke all of Iran’s population centers in return has never crossed the minds of the lunatics in Iran. Israel has a fleet of nuclear armed subs in the Persian Gulf. Israel no doubt has planes in the air 24/7 armed with nuclear weapons. A second strike of Israel on Iran will result in Iran’s total destruction. Remember, Israel has a fifty year lead in building nuclear weapons.
Back to regime change: The size of the uranium payload that obliterated Hirsoshima was the size of an orange. It’s safe to say that the already-purified uranium in Iran has already been hidden far away from Iran’s nuclear facilities. Recovering all the already-purified uranium will be impossible without regime change.
Israel’s war aim should be to create conditions in Iran which make regime change inevitable. Showing Iran and the world that a dictatorship based on hate leads to self-destruction is essential.
Lastly, I really enjoyed seeing that hate mongering clown on Iranian TV be blown up in mid-rant.
"Islam" does not mean "peace." That is a lie from the mouths of cowardly American politicians. "Islam" means "submission." One of the obligations of every Muslim is to contribute to the submission of all the world to Islam. That is the justification of "jihad," holy war. This is what really motivates the leaders of the Islamic Republic of Iran and is the main motivator of the Palestinians in their unrelenting opposition to Israel.
"... Mr. Netanyahu’s relations with some of the country’s top military commanders and intelligence officials, the people with whom he must plan and act on the most sensitive issues, look almost irredeemably poisonous. A coalition in revolt, prosecutors on his heels, powerful rivals looking to unseat him, chilly relations with Mr. Trump, growing opposition from Europe, skeptical military and intelligence chiefs and a hostile press—few leaders anywhere have faced this kind of pressure.
"By week’s end, Bibi had flipped the script. A series of military blows exposed the weakness of Iran’s sulphurously belligerent regime and demonstrated Israel’s military and intelligence supremacy in the Middle East. The government crisis subsided. Mr. Trump praised Israel’s audacious attack. As in the months after Oct. 7, 2023, a determined prime minister harnessed the Israeli military machine to orchestrate a dazzling series of victories that stunned the world even if they did not win it over....
"For most of Bibi’s career, he has played his hand cautiously. Like Mr. Trump, he combined bellicose rhetoric with caution in the use of force. That has changed. Mr. Netanyahu today thinks that desperate times require risky choices. Believing that the Iranian regime is motivated by an implacable hate against Israel, seeing it systematically assemble the nuclear and nonnuclear elements of an arsenal that could wipe Israel off the map, and knowing that Israel’s successes have reduced Iran to its weakest position in decades, Bibi launched the campaign that will define his place in history and shape his nation’s future. ...
"In this campaign Bibi will deserve the one thing he knows he won’t get: the wholehearted support of the West. America’s security will be bolstered if he wins and badly undermined if he fails. Let us hope he prevails. China and Russia will be watching this one closely."
Imagine what the world would look like if the Allies left Nazi Germany and Hitler in place simply to stop the violence. Some hard things are necessary to make way for a better future. Take care.
Finish the job, Israel. Do it on your terms. If that means taking out that s.o.b. in Tehran, so be it. This is one of those instances in life where it's better to apologize than ask permission. The feckless leaders of other counties will condemn you no matter what you do. Play it your way. Godspeed.
Hear hear! I am a U.S. citizen, non-Jew, who admires Israel’s crystal clear vision, courage, and unapologetic resolve, characteristics shamefully lacking in most Western nations. Chazak ve’ematz! Shalom u’b’hatzlacha!
“Alea iacta est”
The die has been cast.
The Rubicon has been crossed.
Israel is offering the world a path to a more peaceful existence via its destruction of Iran’s ability to wage a ballistic missile/drone war.
This opportunity will not present itself again for a very long time if ever.
if the USA blinks now, Iran wins and civilization loses.
Bust the bunker and sink the entire Iranian Navy!
The world will condemn Israel but that condemnation is just cowards saying thank you.
This is not the time to negotiate. This is a time to bring Iran to its knees and demand an unconditional surrender. Regime change must be the end goal.
Regime change will only come if the Iranian people make it so themselves. It looks more likely than ever now.
I despise Bibi but even a broken clock is right twice a day, and what he is doing now is correct. He just needs to not TACO out.
I would revise the word despise. This is far more than a clock twice a day moment. Maybe, just maybe, you were at least somewhat wrong about the guy. It's almost a fad to hate Bibi and these days there are many such fads.
It isn’t a fad. His contempt for American Jews and his embrace of Christian American evangelicals who tout support for Israel while suppressing Jewish religious rights at home are out of bounds. Nonetheless I still give credit where it is due, which is more than he would grant ME.
Interesting,
mr Levinson. I'm an American Jew, novelist, screen writer and many other things.You can look it up if interested. I know many evangelicals and have not seen a single one suppress Jewish religious rights. I guess it must happen, as everything does, but perhaps you can enlighten with specifics
It’s Mrs. And I live in TX; the evangelical Christian politicians here just passed a law forcing religion into schools with the posting of the Protestant version of the 10 Commandments and also a school voucher bill that subsidizes private schools including religious ones, virtually all of which are Christian. Not to mention anti abortion policy that endangers women, including Jewish women, that doesn’t account for Jewish views of the matter and instead adopts the evangelical Christian view.
You’re absolutely right.
Israel must defang Iran, not by a liar’s promise at a negotiating table, but by overwhelming force. Arabs and Persians respect and fear strength. They are not weak and woke like the Western world. But no nation building. Lesson learned.
Agreed. Unfortunately, the U.S.’s past mistakes—persisting in Vietnam, invading Iraq without justification (against, by the way, Netanyahu’s advice), and occupying Afghanistan (and then abandoning its friends upon withdrawal)—have deluded the U.S. into thinking that all military attacks are ill-advised. Yes, let’s avoid boots on the ground, occupations, and nation building. But when necessary, in a just cause, strike with intelligence and fury, as Israel demonstrates magnificently.
You are so right Michael
Keep safe and strong
Am Yisrael Chai 🇮🇱
Amen.
Bibi should not have paid attention to Trump—again.
Shalom v'todah rabah on this piece Michael. I remember that moment in time very well - Golda Meir was my Prime Minister when I moved to Israel in 1971 from the USA as a Labor Zionist from "Ichud" Habonim in Cincinnati. On October 6, 1973 I was married and almost 8 months pregnant with my oldest son when that 2 PM siren went off on Yom Kippur Day, and I can still hear it. As I made way down from the top floor in our Shderot Ha'atzmaut very small flat in Bat Yam - I was crying and shaking like a leaf -until the all clear came on as I arrived to the ground floor miklat. We had to put up black out curtains on the mirpesset windows and paint our headlights blue. Sunday through Friday I would drive to and from Bat Yam to Herziliah Bet - at night with the black out curtains drawn I would watch Dado Elazar with his map and pointer briefing us as he showed us kochoteinu (our troops) wearing infrared cams on their helmits for night vision. I cut my wisdom teeth on that war, and my husband was in the reserves/miluim. Yes It appears that Bibi is having his Golda z"l moment. Seeing and living all this since 10.7.23 is almost like re-living a long drawn out 1973 all over again. Kol Tuv. My late survivor parents would be rolling over.
The Mullahs HAVE TO GO!
Indeed, this is the moment and he is the leader. Will he buckle? Not so sure. He signed the questionable Wye Agreement. Will he stand fast. Golda was said to be the only one with balls in the room (or something to that effect).
Unfortunately, the U.S.’s past mistakes—persisting in Vietnam, invading Iraq without justification (against, by the way, Netanyahu’s advice), and occupying Afghanistan (and then abandoning its friends upon withdrawal)—have deluded the U.S. into thinking that all military attacks are ill-advised. Yes, let’s avoid boots on the ground, occupations, and nation building. But when necessary, in a just cause, strike with intelligence and fury, as Israel demonstrates magnificently.
Another excellent piece, Michael.
The real challenge is to permanently disarm Iran and turn it into a nation of peace (the meaning of the word ‘Islam’) Only regime change can accomplish this. Anything else will delay but not prevent Iran’s attempt to nuke Israel. That Israel will nuke all of Iran’s population centers in return has never crossed the minds of the lunatics in Iran. Israel has a fleet of nuclear armed subs in the Persian Gulf. Israel no doubt has planes in the air 24/7 armed with nuclear weapons. A second strike of Israel on Iran will result in Iran’s total destruction. Remember, Israel has a fifty year lead in building nuclear weapons.
Back to regime change: The size of the uranium payload that obliterated Hirsoshima was the size of an orange. It’s safe to say that the already-purified uranium in Iran has already been hidden far away from Iran’s nuclear facilities. Recovering all the already-purified uranium will be impossible without regime change.
Israel’s war aim should be to create conditions in Iran which make regime change inevitable. Showing Iran and the world that a dictatorship based on hate leads to self-destruction is essential.
Lastly, I really enjoyed seeing that hate mongering clown on Iranian TV be blown up in mid-rant.
"Islam" does not mean "peace." That is a lie from the mouths of cowardly American politicians. "Islam" means "submission." One of the obligations of every Muslim is to contribute to the submission of all the world to Islam. That is the justification of "jihad," holy war. This is what really motivates the leaders of the Islamic Republic of Iran and is the main motivator of the Palestinians in their unrelenting opposition to Israel.
"Netanyahu Flips the Script: In days, Israel’s leader goes from parrying crises to leading an audacious hit on Iran."
By Walter Russell Mead • June 16, 2025 • WSJ.com
"... Mr. Netanyahu’s relations with some of the country’s top military commanders and intelligence officials, the people with whom he must plan and act on the most sensitive issues, look almost irredeemably poisonous. A coalition in revolt, prosecutors on his heels, powerful rivals looking to unseat him, chilly relations with Mr. Trump, growing opposition from Europe, skeptical military and intelligence chiefs and a hostile press—few leaders anywhere have faced this kind of pressure.
"By week’s end, Bibi had flipped the script. A series of military blows exposed the weakness of Iran’s sulphurously belligerent regime and demonstrated Israel’s military and intelligence supremacy in the Middle East. The government crisis subsided. Mr. Trump praised Israel’s audacious attack. As in the months after Oct. 7, 2023, a determined prime minister harnessed the Israeli military machine to orchestrate a dazzling series of victories that stunned the world even if they did not win it over....
"For most of Bibi’s career, he has played his hand cautiously. Like Mr. Trump, he combined bellicose rhetoric with caution in the use of force. That has changed. Mr. Netanyahu today thinks that desperate times require risky choices. Believing that the Iranian regime is motivated by an implacable hate against Israel, seeing it systematically assemble the nuclear and nonnuclear elements of an arsenal that could wipe Israel off the map, and knowing that Israel’s successes have reduced Iran to its weakest position in decades, Bibi launched the campaign that will define his place in history and shape his nation’s future. ...
"In this campaign Bibi will deserve the one thing he knows he won’t get: the wholehearted support of the West. America’s security will be bolstered if he wins and badly undermined if he fails. Let us hope he prevails. China and Russia will be watching this one closely."