A Jewish Person’s View of the War in the Middle East

The unprovoked, illegal attack by Israel and the United States on Iran has destabilized the Middle East and brought disruption to the world's economy. I feel I must speak out for the sake of the people of the Middle East and the Jewish people.

The attack by Israel and the United States may have been a response to legal and public relations problems threatening both leaders. A jail term is facing Prime Minister Netanyahu if he loses an election or is forced from power. Likewise, President Donald Trump faces disgrace and impeachment because of his involvement with Jeffery Epstein and credible charges of pedophilia. These scandals and crimes should not be a reason to initiate death and destruction to be rained down on Iran, Lebanon, and Israel itself.

The action in Venezuela, kidnapping the leader and his wife and striking a deal with the new Venezuela leaders, has gone to trump's head. He now believes he can unilaterally terrorize the entire world at his whim. There is good evidence that Netanyahu had convinced Trump to join him in a war with Iran. Iran is a country of ninety-two million people, with a geography that is not easily conquered by a land invasion. Rather than splintering and overthrowing the clerical government, the people of Iran are standing together and resisting domination by the United States and the threat of genocide from the Israeli leadership.

The miscalculation by Trump and Netanyahu has plunged the entire world into an economic crisis. There appears to be no end game. We as Jewish Americans have a special place in these times. This is because we are Americans, and because our heritage, religion, and many times, family connections, have a special relation to the State of Israel. It is time for Jewish people in America speak out. We as a group must stand against the unprovoked, irresponsible, and callous attack on the Iranian people.

Another reaction to this war has been the rise of antisemitism. Less educated people will blame all Jewish people for this war. Antisemites will use this as more evidence that all Jews a plotting to control the world. We have seen the rise of antisemitic acts because of the war on Gaza, and now as a result of the expanded war against Iran and Lebanon.

We are asking Jewish people of America to speak out and denounce this aggression. We must denounce the actions by our own president and the prime minister of Israel for their continuing acts of savage aggression against Iran and, in Netanyahu’s case, against the people of Lebanon. Organizations like Jewish Voice for Peace and J Street, as well as members of temples and Jewish community groups, must contact their elected leaders, especially those in Congress. And I urge them to  write articles for local newspapers, talk to their congregations and urge them to take action to stop this extremely dangerous and illegal war.

In the Long Beach area please contact the following Congresspeople. Phone calls are the best way to make your views known.

Robert Garcia, https://robertgarcia.house.gov, (202) 225-7924

Nanette Barragan, https://barragan.house.gov/the-44th-district-of-california/, (202) 225-8220

Marshall Blesofsky is a long-time peace and social justice activist. He is a member of Long of Beach Area Peace Network and a member of Jewish Voice for Peace. He also is a member of a reform congregation in Long Beach. He is a physician associate and retired professor from the USC Keck School of Medicine