We watch with deep concern and aching hearts as our brothers and sisters in Israel continue to face threats and attacks from the Iranian regime. At the same time, many of us feel pride and gratitude for Israel’s strength, resilience, and extraordinary achievements in confronting these existential dangers.
Since its founding in 1979, the Islamic Republic of Iran has promoted a revolutionary ideology that blends Shi’a religious doctrine with political extremism. At the heart of this worldview is a deep opposition toward both the United States, labeled by Iran’s leaders as the “Great Satan,” and Israel, the “Little Satan.” But this hostility goes beyond national borders. It extends to the values we cherish: secular democracy, gender equality, freedom of expression, religious pluralism, and the dignity of every individual.
Iran’s leaders have long claimed that the United States and Israel represent corrupt and oppressive systems that stand in the way of divine justice and Islamic sovereignty, particularly in the Holy Land. Iran is not alone. Other Islamist movements in the region, including Hezbollah, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Hamas, al-Qaeda, and ISIS, though diverse in theology and tactics, share a vision in which violence against Israel, the West, and their allies is framed as a sacred mission.
This ideology is not just anti-Israel. It is anti-freedom. It views the values we live by, such as education, human rights, tolerance, and the rule of law, as threats to be extinguished. For more than a century, this clash of values has simmered across the region. Time and again, Israel has stood on the front line of the global struggle between religious extremism and democratic ideals.
Our hope and prayer is that the weakening of Iran’s regime and its proxies will not only strengthen the security of Israel and the United States but also empower moderate voices within the Muslim world. There are countless individuals, communities, and nations striving for a future of coexistence, peace, and mutual respect. We must support them and help elevate their efforts.
As we hold our Israeli family in our hearts, let us also renew our commitment to the values that define us: defenders of human dignity, seekers of peace, and unwavering believers in the power of hope.