This article updated on Sunday, June 22, with more Jewish reactions.
By Donald H. Harrison
SAN DIEGO — In a nationally televised address, President Donald Trump announced Saturday night, June 21, that the U.S. military had conducted “massive strikes” on Iran’s nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan.
Trump spoke from the East Room of the White House and was flanked by Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
The strikes were a “spectacular military success,” the U.S. President reported. “Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated. Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace. If they do not, future attacks will be far greater and a lot easier.”
Trump said that for 40 years, Iran has been threatening both America and Israel, killing more than 1,000 Americans and hundreds of thousands of Middle East residents. “I decide a long time ago that I would not let this happen. It will not continue.”
He added at the end of his less than four-minute speech, “There either will be peace or there will be tragedy for Iran far greater than we have witnessed over the last eight days” during which Israel had conducted aerial attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities and its military leadership.
“Remember, there are many targets left,” Trump warned.
“If peace does not come quickly, we will go after those other targets with precision, speed and skill. Most of them can be taken out in a matter of minutes.”
The U.S. President offered congratulations to Israel’s Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, about whom, he said, “we worked as a team, as perhaps no team has ever worked before, and we have gone a long way to erasing this horrible threat to Israel.”
He also extended congratulations to the Israeli and American militaries, and in particular to the U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan “Raising” Caine, whom he described as a “spectacular general.”
In response, Netanyahu offered these words of appreciation and congratulations to Trump:
“Your bold decision to target Iran’s nuclear facilities with the awesome and righteous might of the United States will change history. In ‘Operation Rising Lion,’ Israel has done truly amazing things but in tonight’s action against Iran’s nuclear facilities, America has been truly unsurpassed. It has done what no other country on earth could do.
“History will record that President Trump’s action to deny the world’s most dangerous regime the world’s most dangerous weapons. His leadership today has created a pivot in history that could help lead the Middle East and beyond to a future of prosperity and peace. President Trump and I often say ‘Peace through strength.’ First comes strength, then comes peace and tonight President Trump and the United States acted with a lot of strength.
“President Trump, I thank you; the people of Israel thank you; the forces of civilization thank you. God bless America, God bless Israel, and may God bless our unshakeable alliance, our unbreakable faith.”
Reactions from international and American Jewish groups came quickly:
Ronald S. Lauder, President of the World Jewish Congress, commented: “I applaud President Trump and his administration for having the courage to act decisively, and for lending critical American support to Israel’s effort to build a safer and more stable Middle East. By halting Iran’s march toward the bomb, the United States and Israel have taken a meaningful step toward securing peace.
“Over the past year, Israel has dismantled Iran’s once-vast proxy network and reshaped the regional security landscape. Now, with the nuclear threat off the table, people from Tel Aviv to Tehran can begin to imagine a safer and more hopeful future.”
Brian Romick, President and CEO of Democratic Majority for Israel, said, “Ending the Iranian nuclear program unequivocally makes the world a safer place. A nuclear-armed Iran is a direct threat to regional security, world peace, and a grave national security threat to the United States of America…”
“We urge the Trump Administration to continue to stand with our friend and ally, Israel. That includes continuing to replenish interceptors and other military equipment that has been depleted from Iran’s attacks as well as providing political and diplomatic support.”
The leaders of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, Betsy Berns Korn, Chair, and William C. Daroff, CEO, commented: “We commend the United States for its leadership at this historic moment. We commend President Trump in particular for his clear-eyed recognition of the danger and for taking bold, preventative steps that may reshape the strategic landscape for generations…
“Preventing a nuclear Iran is not only a moral imperative; it is a vital American and global security interest. We urge the international community to support this effort and to stand unified against regimes that seek to sow chaos, terror, and war.”
Republican Jewish Coalition CEO Matt Brooks said, “Today’s successful, targeted military action proves once again that nobody has been tougher on Tehran, or a better friend to Israel, than President Trump.
“Tonight will go down in the history books as one of the most consequential orders ever given by a U.S. President. God speed to our heroic war fighters.
“The world is a far safer place thanks to President Trump.”
Morton Klein, president of the Zionist Organization of America, said: “Thank you, President Trump and the U.S. military, for keeping the President’s promise to ‘Make America Safe Again’ – Job #1 of every U.S. president.
“The Iranian regime has terrorized and been at war with the United States ever since Iranian Muslims seized the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in 1979. Iran and its proxies and terror-partners have murdered thousands of American citizens. The Iranian regime—the leading state sponsor of Islamic terrorism—was apparently weeks away from obtaining multiple nuclear bombs.
“Iran would have used those nuclear weapons to wreak massive death on the nations that the Iranian regime calls the “Big Satan” (the U.S.) and the “Little Satan” (Israel) – an unimaginably horrible scenario, that President Trump’s action tonight has prevented.”
Ted Deutch, the CEO of the American Jewish Committee, stated: ““Today’s U.S. military operation striking three of Iran’s most crucial nuclear sites is an historic turning point in the decades-long quest to prevent the Iranian regime from acquiring nuclear weapons capabilities. Contrary to what some will say in the days to come, the U.S. administration did not rush to war. In fact, it gave diplomacy a real chance. The murderous Iranian regime refused to make a deal. In the face of overwhelming evidence of Iran’s growing nuclear threat, President Trump took targeted action to dismantle the regime’s nuclear infrastructure and preserve global security, and we thank him for this decisive and warranted operation.”
StandWithUs said it “is deeply grateful to the United States for taking decisive action against Iran’s nuclear sites, after Iran’s leadership refused to end its pursuit of nuclear weapons through diplomacy. We recognize that this was a difficult and high-stakes decision, and we do not take it for granted.
“Since 1979, Iranian forces and their proxies have murdered countless innocent people — including Americans — and they are now threatening further violence. Their relentless aggression has destabilized the region and endangered the world.
B’nai B’rith International commented: “For decades, Iran has pursued a clandestine nuclear weapons program while threatening regional stability and openly calling for the destruction of Israel. Diplomatic efforts and sanctions failed to halt Tehran’s ambitions. This decisive action sends a clear message: the United States will not tolerate a nuclear-armed Iran.
“This U.S. action will lead to a safer, stable Middle East and beyond. For 46 years, the civilized world has lived in the shadow of Iranian sponsored terrorism and the threat of a nuclear program on its way to producing the bomb. This is a forthright decision to eliminate that threat.
“Trump’s leadership in ordering the strikes reflects the strength and seriousness of the U.S.-Israel alliance. By targeting key elements of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, the United States not only defended its own national security interests but stands firmly with Israel—its democratic ally—in the face of shared threats.”
Hadassah’s National President Carol Ann Schwartz released the following statement: “The Iranian regime – the world’s largest state sponsor of terror – has long been an aggressive, destabilizing force. We, along with leaders across the political spectrum, agree that nuclear weapons in the hands of Iran are dangerous to the United States, Israel, the Middle East and the world. Under the direction of President Trump, the US has taken decisive action against the growing threat of Iran’s illicit nuclear facilities. We remain committed to and thankful for a strong and close US-Israel alliance that helps advance global security.”
Dissenting Opinions
The support for Trump’s decision to bomb Iran was not universal among Jews. Times of San Diego reported the comment of Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-San Diego): “Trump’s strikes against Iran are not only unconstitutional, but an escalation that risks bringing the U.S. into another endless and deadly war.”
The Jewish Democratic Council of America issued this statement on Sunday:
“This is an incredibly difficult moment for the vast majority of American Jews, who are supportive of Israel, concerned about the security and safety of the Israeli people and Jews in the United States and around the world, and fearful that President Trump lacks a clear strategy about what happens next with Iran.
“We hope these strikes will force Iran back to the negotiating table and, through diplomacy, we can verifiably end its nuclear ambitions once and for all. We are grateful for the safety of the men and women of the U.S. military who carried out the U.S. strikes on Iran, and believe Iran must never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon. The acceleration of Iran’s nuclear weapons program – particularly the enrichment at Fordow approaching weapons-grade levels – posed a grave threat to U.S. interests and an existential threat to Israel.
“Iran must not use these strikes as a pretext for escalation against American or Israeli interests. We are particularly concerned about ongoing Iranian attacks on Israel and call on the administration to ensure the defense of American forces in the region and the Israeli people. The president must seek the authorization of Congress prior to any further involvement of the U.S. military in this or any other global conflict.
“We hope yesterday’s strikes do not lead the United States or Israel into a protracted war. We continue to believe that a durable, enforceable diplomatic agreement – one that blocks all paths to Iran acquiring a nuclear weapons capability – is the best and most sustainable way to defend U.S. interests, ensure Israel’s security, and prevent nuclear proliferation in the region. Finally, it is imperative that President Trump comply with the Constitution and coordinate any future action of the U.S. military with Congress.”
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Donald H. Harrison is publisher and editor of San Diego Jewish World
Well done Donald, Thats what has meant to have happen for decades. Now I don’t have to say to anybody who would listen. If the west does not take out Iran’s Nuclear weapons etc Israel will. My phone has been red hot this afternoon . Clearly New Zealanders are supporting Trumps actions in support of Israel. Except for the Greens and The Looney left.