Collated by Donald H. Harrison in San Diego
This column will round up statements and analyses of the current Middle East from within the divided Jewish community.
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American Friends of Tel Aviv University: We received a heartfelt letter from President [Ariel]Porat reporting on the status of the University. After two and a half years of war, Israel is now facing “Operation Roaring Lion.” As we celebrate Purim, we are witnessing history repeat itself. More than 2,500 years ago, an evil man (Haman) in Persia plotted to kill the Jewish people, but we prevailed. That same spirit of courage and survival guides us now. As Israel and the United States stand together in defense of freedom and democracy, we stand in solidarity with the people of Iran whose aspirations are the same. We remain resilient and optimistic about a bright future.
In Israel, more than 100,000 reservists have been called to serve, and many within the Tel Aviv University community are directly affected. Students will leave classrooms for the front lines, research will be put aside, and many young people’s lives are once again being interrupted by war. In response, the University’s Student Success Center, a lifeline that ensures every student has the support needed to excel, has reinstated its 24-hour hotline to provide emergency counseling and essential assistance to students who are navigating uncertainty and disruption. Experience has taught us that the needs of students will exponentially increase as the War continues. [Signed by Ben Prey, CEO, and Gary Rayant, chairman of the board.]
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Jewish California — At this pivotal moment in the Middle East, Jewish California (formerly JPAC) stands in solidarity with the Iranian people struggling for freedom and with the people of Israel seeking lasting security. We hold in our hearts the civilians across the region impacted by violence and uncertainty, and we pray for the safety of all those in harm’s way.
For decades, the Iranian regime has maintained a grip of brutal repression, targeting its own citizens – particularly women and minorities – while destabilizing Israel and the region. We remain clear in our belief that Israelis and Iranians alike deserve to live free from terror and tyranny. This moment is especially personal in California, home to the largest Iranian Jewish diaspora in the world. We are proud to represent families whose roots trace back 3,000 years in Persia and whose journeys to this state embody resilience, refuge, and renewal. As we celebrate Purim today, we are reminded of another Persian court where courage and moral clarity overturned a decree of destruction. That story continues to inspire our community today.
Here at home, our responsibility is clear. Jewish California will continue to harness our collective voice in Sacramento to protect our community and strengthen the California–Israel relationship. Last week, we co-hosted a gubernatorial candidate forum, putting leading candidates on record about security, antisemitism in our schools, and support for our community.
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Jewish Democratic Council of America: When President Trump began striking Iran, he indicated it was to bring about regime change. The White House then attempted – and completely failed – to demonstrate that Iran posed an imminent threat to the United States. Secretary Rubio and Speaker Johnson effectively blamed Israel for leading us to war, which is unprecedented, dangerous, and deeply irresponsible.
As Jewish Americans, we should all be deeply concerned about the consequences of the White House effectively blaming Israel for its decision to launch a war against Iran, which has now spread to the entire Middle East.
Rather than take responsibility for risking American lives, Secretary Rubio appeared comfortable indicating that the White House was coaxed into war by Israel. President Trump’s assertion today that ‘Israel didn’t make me attack, I made them attack’ only made the matter worse by continuing to link U.S. military actions and decision-making to Israel.
Launching a war is the single most consequential decision the White House and Congress can make. The White House is circumventing Congress and shifting its justification for war, including blaming Israel for its actions, and we condemn it.
President Trump must abide by the law and present a clear strategy for war with Iran. This is why we urge every member of the Senate and House to reassert their constitutionally mandated authority over the use of U.S. military force and support the War Powers Resolution when it’s voted on this week. Join us. [signed by Halie Soifer, CEO of JDCA)
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New Israel Fund: Bedouin villagers unprotected from Iran’s missiles: Imagine hearing a siren. You have 90 seconds to get to safety, but there’s nowhere to go. That’s the reality for most Bedouin families. There are only 51 public shelters for 323,000 Bedouin citizens. Zero in unrecognized villages. Because of government neglect, no local authorities serve these areas, which means no medical or emergency services. That’s where we come in.
In wartime, NIF and our grantees operate an emergency response center that coordinates critical services for dozens of unrecognized villages. We not only advocate for more shelters and government resources, but we step in directly to provide social services, food deliveries, and other essentials. For years, NIF has been on the ground with unrecognized Bedouin villages in the Negev, advocating for their rights and access to resources. That work is in overdrive right now. Because everyone deserves safety.
Settler violence in the West Bank isn’t stopping. Neither are we. While the country’s attention is elsewhere, settler violence is escalating. Last week, Jewish activists were brutally beaten and hospitalized. Just yesterday, two Palestinians were murdered by extremists. We won’t look away. NIF supports the activists and organizations documenting every attack, resisting displacement, protecting Palestinians, and demanding accountability from the government.
As we’ve seen in prior conflicts, wartime is exactly when the authorities crack down on dissent and civil liberties. That’s why we built a Civil Society Protection Hub – to protect the democratic space and provide legal defense, immediately, when people are detained for social media posts or attending anti-war protests. Through the Hub and our grantees, NIF is monitoring and protecting freedom of speech—because wartime is when it matters most. [Signed by Mickey Gitzin, acting CEO)
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StandWithUs puts American and Israeli actions in context
For decades, Iranian leaders called for death to the United States, the UK, Israel, and all others who oppose their reign of terror. They have brutally murdered the people of Iran, while exporting death and suffering across the Middle East, the Americas, Ukraine, and beyond.
Like many Iranians, Americans, Israelis, and people of all backgrounds, StandWithUs is grateful that Ayatollah Khamenei and other senior figures in his regime will no longer threaten the world.
Since it took power in the so-called Islamic Revolution, Iran’s regime has been in conflict with the U.S. It took 66 Americans hostage in 1979 and held 52 of them for over a year. It has murdered and maimed thousands more Americans since then. It also made openly genocidal threats to destroy the world’s only Jewish state, while advancing its nuclear program in ways that are only useful for building nuclear weapons.
Iran’s military built thousands of deadly ballistic missiles capable of reaching Israel, some of which can carry atomic bombs. At the same time, it continued to arm and fund Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and other genocidal terrorists who seek Israel’s destruction.
The U.S. has tried diplomacy with Iran, and Israel said it would accept an agreement that dismantles the threats posed by Iran’s regime. However, negotiations reportedly failed because Iranian leaders refuse to stop their nuclear enrichment, ballistic missile program, or support for terrorism. According to numerous sources, Iran’s regime is also rebuilding its nuclear program and trying to produce thousands of ballistic missiles, despite the damage caused by Israeli and U.S. strikes in June 2025.
In this context, the U.S. and Israel launched a major military operation against Iran’s regime, ballistic missile systems, nuclear facilities, and navy. Both U.S. and Israeli leaders have also encouraged Iranians to rise up and topple their regime, which brutally murdered thousands of its own citizens in recent months. Iran’s ballistic missile attacks against Israeli civilians, U.S. personnel, and Arab states have only underscored the urgent need to address this threat.
StandWithUs is grateful to American and Israeli soldiers for risking their lives. We stand with Israelis who are spending days and nights in bomb shelters and suffering tragic losses. We salute the brave Iranians who are confronting their own government in this dangerous moment. We hope this operation will end the severe threats posed by Iran’s regime, help free the Iranian people, and lead to a better future for the Middle East.
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Donald H. Harrison is publisher and editor of San Diego Jewish World