DV Journal

Many Iranian immigrants are glued to their televisions watching news about Israel’s war with Iran, the U.S. strike on Iranian nuclear sites and now the fragile ceasefire brokered by President Donald Trump.

Maryam, 58, a Chester County resident, is also paying close attention to the fate of the country where she lived until her family fled after Islamic revolutionaries overthrew the Shah in 1979.

“The day Khomeini came to Iran (from exile in Paris) is when my family and I left Iran,” said Maryam, who asked that her last name not be used to protect the many family members still living in Iran. “Because my father said, ‘With the Islamic Republic, we cannot mix religion and politics, and with the mullahs coming in, you’re going to go backward 100 years.’ And that’s exactly what happened.”

Maryam was 13 when she left Iran. Her mother was German, so they were able to flee to Germany as dual German Iranian citizens.

“I had to leave my grandparents, my aunts, my uncles, everyone behind, our house,” she said. “We left. It’s very sad to lose your country and start someplace else new again. Most of the Iranians in the diaspora, that’s what happened to them.”

Approximately 600,000 people of Iranian descent live in the U.S., according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Before the Islamists took over, women in Iran could dress like Westerners if they chose or wear Islamic garb.

“A percentage of women were wearing the hijab,” said Maryam. “A percentage was not, like when you go to Egypt or other Arabic countries. It was your choice. So, my mom is European. She wore a miniskirt.

“There were nightclubs,” she added. “If you lived in Tehran (before the revolution), it was almost like New York City, very modern.  And when they took over, they took the country back more like 5,000 years.”

Maryam is frustrated by how major American television media is portraying the Iranian public. She said people out in the streets rallying to support their country are not in the majority. She estimates that 80 percent would like the regime to be overthrown.  But those opponents cannot risk being interviewed because they would be taken away, imprisoned, or killed if they spoke to reporters.

“The regime is brutal,” she said. “They tell you that you’re a spy for Israel, and that’s a death sentence.”

“The Revolutionary Guards are on the streets, so they cannot go and demonstrate against the regime,” she said.

“Just yesterday in the midst of this war, in the bombing, people are getting death sentences and they’re being hanged,” said Maryam. “And killed.”

While Israelis have sirens to warn them of an imminent missile attack and bomb shelters to hide in, there is nothing like that for the average Iranian. Although wealthy people and members of the regime’s elite have secure places to hide, she said.

While she welcomed the ceasefire, she had hoped the Islamic regime would be overthrown. She noted that the son of the last shah, Reza Pahlavi, is willing to return and provide stability until a democratic government can take root.

“No one wants war when innocent people die,” said Maryam. “So, it’s a relief. But having the Islamic regime still in power is not the outcome that we hoped for. The Iranian government has executed much more people than have been killed in the past week. Over 975 executions just in 2024!”

Those numbers are from the United Nations Human Rights Council, she added. “And now, they will aim their anger towards their own people and kill and imprison even more.”

Maryam came to the U.S. from Germany in 1989 to learn English.  She planned to return to Germany, but she met and married her husband while she was here.

“My country is now the U.S., so while I want nothing more than for Iran to be free, and for the people to be free. So even if it becomes free, I will stay here. This is my country now,” said Maryam.

In a world increasingly clouded by moral confusion and selective outrage, one country has shown the clarity, conviction, and courage to confront evil head-on: Israel.

While much of the international community dithers, equivocates, or outright appeases, Israel is doing what must be done—dismantling the infrastructure of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the greatest sponsor of global terrorism. This is not just a regional issue, nor is it solely a Jewish issue. This is a matter of global security and moral leadership. And whether the world realizes it or not, it owes Israel a debt of gratitude.

Iran is not just another authoritarian government. It is a regime built on theocratic extremism and imperial ambitions. Its tentacles stretch far beyond its borders—arming Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, the Houthis in Yemen, Shiite militias in Iraq, and terrorist proxies from Syria to South America. Iranian drones and missiles have targeted Americans, Saudis, Emiratis, Israelis, and even Europeans. From Buenos Aires to Baghdad, Tehran’s fingerprints are found on some of the worst atrocities of the last four decades.

And yet, the world has largely looked away—paralyzed by bad diplomacy, short-term energy needs, or fear of escalation. Until now.

Israel’s campaign against Iranian terror infrastructure is not wanton or reckless. It is surgical. It is strategic. It is rooted in the fundamental Jewish value of tohar haneshek—purity of arms. No other country on Earth takes the level of precaution that Israel does to avoid civilian casualties. From “knock on the roof” warnings to precision-guided munitions, Israel has embedded moral restraint into its military doctrine. That level of care is especially astonishing when fighting enemies who embed themselves in schools, hospitals, and residential buildings.

Critics love to count bodies and ignore context. But the context is everything: Iran and its proxies have turned civilian life into a human shield. Israel, by contrast, has turned warfare into a painful, reluctant last resort—fought with conscience, even against an enemy that has none.

Perhaps the most underreported aspect of Israel’s current operations is the reaction of ordinary Iranians. The people of Iran—hostages of a brutal regime—are not mourning the degradation of the IRGC or the elimination of nuclear facilities. On the contrary, many are celebrating.

Across Persian-language social media, voices of dissent are growing louder, not quieter. Israelis are not seen as enemies, but as liberators from afar. For decades, the Iranian regime has painted the United States and Israel as “The Great Satan” and “The Little Satan,” but the people know better. They know that the real enemy is not Jerusalem, but Tehran.

And they are beginning to believe that change is possible.

Israel is not just weakening a military threat—it is empowering a grassroots revolution that could bring freedom to 88 million Iranians and finally end the reign of the Ayatollahs. That alone should earn the world’s thanks.

At a time when Western democracies are entangled in political dysfunction and moral relativism, Israel is proving that courage and clarity still matter. While some wring their hands about “escalation” or “disproportion,” Israel is acting. It is defending not only its citizens, but the principle that terror must never be appeased, tolerated, or normalized.

Israel understands what too many others have forgotten: Evil, when left unchecked, metastasizes. The Iranian regime doesn’t want peace; it wants dominance. It doesn’t want coexistence; it wants submission. And it doesn’t stop at Israel’s borders; it targets Jews in Los Angeles, dissidents in Berlin, and Americans in Iraq. To fight it is not just self-defense—it is a defense of civilization.

History will judge how the world responded to this moment. Those who remain silent—or worse, critical—of Israel’s actions should ask themselves: What would you have us do? Wait for Iran to test a nuclear bomb? Allow another Oct. 7? Accept permanent insecurity as the price of false peace?

Israel refuses to play that game. It is choosing to act, not react. To lead, not cower. To say, in no uncertain terms, that state-sponsored terror will not go unchallenged.

So yes, the world should thank Israel. Thank Israel for being the only country willing to confront Iran head-on. Thank Israel for defending the values the West claims to hold dear—human rights, freedom, and the sanctity of life. Thank Israel for reminding us that moral clarity still exists, and that it is still possible to distinguish between right and wrong, between the firestarter and the firefighter.

The cost to Israel has been steep—on the battlefield and in the court of global opinion. But as always, Israel fights not because it enjoys war, but because it cherishes peace. It fights not because it wants vengeance, but because it values life.

And because it does, the world is safer—even if it doesn’t yet have the wisdom to see it.

Pennsylvanians reacted to preemptive strikes by Israel on Iran’s nuclear facilities and military leaders. Iran has responded with drone and missile attacks.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog said on X, “Freedom is not preserved by words alone—it demands courage, vigilance, and the resolve to act when necessary.” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a statement saying the U.S. was not involved.

“Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran,” said Rubio. “We are not involved in strikes against Iran, and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region.”

President Donald Trump cautioned Iran, saying, “There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter… come to an end.”

Both Pennsylvania U.S. senators issued strong statements in support of Israel.

“Dina and I are praying for Israel tonight. We are praying for the success of Israel’s mission to thwart the world’s largest state sponsor of terror and its pursuit of nuclear weapons. Iran has been a destabilizing threat to security in the Middle East, the Persian Gulf, and around the world, and has the blood of Americans on its hands. Preventing Iran from having a nuclear bomb is in the interest of the civilized world. I am grateful to President Trump and his team for trying to achieve this peacefully. But just this week, the International Atomic Energy Agency voted overwhelmingly that Iran was not in compliance with its obligations. So Israel has decided to act, and I stand with Israel,” Sen. Dave McCormick (R-Pa.) posted on X.

Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) posted several messages to X after news broke about Israel’s attack.

“Beepers 2.0. I love it.” Fetterman tweeted about how Israel activated drones based inside Iran to strike surface-to-surface missile launchers, a reference to the successful Israeli operation where the Hezbollah terror group members’ beepers exploded in their pockets.

“Our commitment to Israel must be absolute, and I fully support this attack. Keep wiping out the Iranian leadership and the nuclear personnel. We must provide whatever is necessary—military, intelligence, weaponry—to fully back Israel in striking Iran,” Fetterman said in another post.

Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) declared Iran “the largest state sponsor of terror in the world and the number one exporter of terror in the world” at an event Friday morning. “They are a destabilizing force in the world, and they are a force that has claimed lives all across the globe. Israel, according to President Trump, acted unilaterally last night and seemingly took out major operational assets that they have to do damage throughout the Middle East, throughout the world, and also took out some of their top leaders.

“There should be no one feeling bad for the terrorists out there, but I think there is reason to worry about a rise in tensions in the Middle East and across the globe anytime you have this type of operation.”

Shapiro also offered rare words of support for President Trump.

“I noted the president’s comments about wanting to figure out a way to tamp down any further actions, to try and create a level of calm in the region, and I think calm is incredibly important right now,” Shapiro said.

“Obviously, the Israelis were able to dismantle the nuclear arsenal, or at least a piece of it, and those guiding it. That’s probably a good day for the world, because that threat has been mitigated.” Shapiro added that he hopes “diplomacy is able to take over and calm the situation down.”

“Tonight, Israel took unilateral action in response to continued threats from Iran,” Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Bucks) said on X. “The United States was not involved in this operation, but we stand with our ally, as we always have, in shared purpose and mutual defense. A nuclear Iran is an unacceptable threat. In this moment, we remain vigilant, committed to protecting our forces, and united in our pursuit of peace through strength. Pray for Israel.”

Some local Jewish leaders also weighed in.

“After demonstrating decades of restraint as the Islamic Republic of Iran built a ‘ring of fire’ around the Jewish state and violated the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty by seeking to develop a nuclear weapon, Israel decimated several key nuclear weapons development sites. When the Iranian people rise up against the Ayatollah, they will seek the friendship of the Jewish state and the Jewish people worldwide,” said Rabbi Matt Abelson, a Greater Philadelphia Board of Rabbis member.

“As we await further information, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia stands in unwavering solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Israel—as we have throughout our shared history—praying for their immediate safety, strength and well-being, and for the protection of future generations to come as Israel defends itself from Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs and other threats posed by the Iranian regime,” said Michael Balaban, president and CEO.

“Each time Israel takes on Iran, I think they are doing something the U.S. should have done over 40 years ago, said Richard Ilgenfritz, an Ardmore resident, Army veteran and writer. “It should go without saying but the Iranian government has been waging war against the U.S. since 1979.

“Unfortunately, a lot of people in the U.S. and the West refuse to understand how dangerous Iran’s regime is, and there is no reason to think that if they had a nuclear weapon, they wouldn’t use it.

“Getting back to Iran’s 45-year war against the U.S., tomorrow marks the 40th anniversary of the hijacking of TWA flight 847 by terrorists supported by Iran,” said Ilgenfritz. “It included the murder of U.S. Navy diver Robert Stethem. He was beaten and then shot. His body was dumped on the tarmac at the Beirut airport. It was just one more attack against the U.S. by that evil regime. At the time of the hijacking, it was said they picked him because they thought he was a Marine, but it doesn’t matter; he was a U.S. service member who became an early casualty in the Iranian government’s 45-year war against the US.

“So, thank you, Israel.”

Pennsylvania’s U.S. senators are nothing if not collegial.

Sens. John Fetterman (D) and Dave McCormick (R) discussed foreign policy, border security, and President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” Monday morning at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate in Boston. The event was part of “The Senate Project” series, moderated by Fox News Sunday anchor Shannon Bream, and livestreamed on Fox Nation.

While it was called a debate, there were few strong disagreements during what amounted to a cordial conversation about current events.

Bream asked the two Pennsylvania senators about Sunday’s Molotov cocktail attack in Boulder, Colo. targeting people demonstrating in support of Israeli hostages being held by Hamas terrorists.

McCormick, who just returned from a trip to Israel, said he traveled there not long after the Oct. 7 terror attack and “saw first-hand what had taken place that day.”

“But the thing that was most surprising was to see these huge rallies and hatred, really, at the University of Pennsylvania and other places…This wasn’t free speech. This was intimidation and sometimes physical violence.”

U.S. Sens. John Fetterman and Dave McCormick participate in “The Senate Project” series at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate in Boston on June 2, 2025.

“This is something we have to stand up against,” said McCormick.

Fetterman first met McCormick at a service remembering the fifth anniversary of the antisemitic massacre at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh.

“It’s astonishing the kinds of rank antisemitism (not) under control,” said Fetterman. “This is just rampant across universities.”

“And now for me politically, being very on the side of Israel, puts parts of my party at odds,” said Fetterman. “I think we need to deliver a legislative solution to it.”

For the last 18 months, he’s been followed by protesters screaming “Free, Palestine” and “Genocide John,” Fetterman said. “That’s a small, small thing. I can’t imagine how members of the Jewish community must feel, constantly under assault.”

“That’s not free speech,” Fetterman said, echoing McCormick. “Building tent cities on campus and terrorizing and intimidating Jewish students, that’s not free speech.”

Fetterman pushed back on the argument that Israel wants to see tragedy in Gaza.

“You know who does want that? That’s Hamas,” Fetterman said. “I think we should blame Iran and Hamas, and other people blame Israel. I refuse to allow them to turn Israel into a pariah state.”

Fetterman would like to see Iran’s nuclear facilities bombed.

“I think we have an opportunity to destroy that nuclear facility,” said Fetterman. “They’re definitely enriching uranium now. They’re at 60 percent, 900 pounds of that. And it’s a short step to get to weapons grade.”

Israel destroyed Iran’s defenses after that country attacked it, and now, “we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to destroy that facility,” said Fetterman.

McCormick again agreed with his Democratic counterpart, pointing out that Iran has publicly stated its goal of destroying Israel, as well as “the Great Satan, which is the United States.” A nuclear-armed Iran is “an unacceptable outcome.”

“And President Trump has said any deal would have to have complete dismantling of the nuclear program,” McCormick added.

Fetterman supports sanctions against Russia to end the war in Ukraine.

McCormick agreed. But he put the blame for the war on Joe Biden and his handling of Afghanistan, as well as the “very weak signaling on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, all of these things gave a green light to Putin to go into Ukraine.”

The senators disagreed on Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” which is pending in the Senate. Fetterman said he’s a no vote because he does not want to cut Medicaid or SNAP (food stamps).

“I see people standing in lines for food, and it’s not because they want free stuff,” he said. “It’s because they don’t have enough to eat. That’s a real thing. And I don’t think that’s an appropriate target.”

McCormick pointed out that the GOP’s goal is to get Medicaid and other social services to people who truly need them — and who are eligible for them.

“We agree we should not take benefits away from vulnerable people. I’m not advocating with Medicaid that we cut benefits from people who the program was designed,” McCormick said.

“But what’s happened is Medicaid spending has grown by $250 million in five years. It’s the fastest-growing line in the budget. SNAP has grown by $80 million in the last five years. Part of the reason those programs have grown is there are people taking advantage — working-aged men without dependents. And those are illegal immigrants in a number of cases.”

Fetterman was generally critical of the GOP spending plan, but he was willing to cross the aisle and support the bill’s money for border security.

“Our party did not handle the border appropriately,” said Fetterman. “That’s a national security issue, and that’s chaos.” But he’s also pro-immigration, “as a Democrat.”

Fetterman has been under attack from the political left, including in The Inquirer, with progressives responding to his support for Israel by suggesting he’s suffering mental incapacity. Bream pointed out McCormick has come to Fetterman’s defense in the face of those charges.

“It’s part of this weird smear,” said Fetterman, who said he’s getting more and more “incoming” for being for Israel, for a strong border, and against shutting down the government. He’s also been attacked for what some suggest is absenteeism.

Fetterman acknowledged he’d missed some votes, but it was strategic.

“I have three young kids,” Fetterman said, and he sometimes skipped procedural votes to spend more time with them. “That’s a choice that I made.”

“If you want to attack me for that, go ahead,” he added “But I’d like to point out that, you know, Bernie and Sen. Murray missed more. Why isn’t the left media yelling and saying they’re not doing their job?”

McCormick said he was happy to defend Fetterman, but he wasn’t sure if that would create even more political problems for the Democrat.

“The same people that elected me, elected him for the most part,” said McCormick. “They overlap. We both care deeply about Pennsylvania…We have many disagreements but the thing we both agree on, is it’s an honor to serve Pennsylvania and we want to work together.”

The United States and Israel have one of the most durable trade relationships in the world. The United States-Israel Free Trade Agreement, established in 1985, was the first free trade agreement entered into by the United States and generates billions of dollars in Israeli investment in the U.S. economy annually. The U.S. exported almost $15 billion of goods to Israel last year.

This robust economic relationship is why President Trump’s proposal to apply a 17 percent tariff on American trade with Israel caught many off guard, especially after Israel promised to eliminate all its remaining trade duties on American imports before the new tariff was even applied. Israel has a trade surplus with the United States, partly because Israeli versions of U.S. consumer goods are often produced there. For example, Israeli Coca-Cola products by the Central Beverage Company (Coca-Cola Israel) and Ben and Jerry’s products in Israel are made locally by franchisee Avi Zinger.

Israel is a high-tech giant in the global top five for research and development, technology education, and patents. In 2023, 70 percent of Israel’s tech exports were software services. Much of the rest of the trade structure is in advanced technologies critical to both nations’ militaries. Silicon Valley is one of the most significant investors in Israeli startups because of its proven track record in developing life-saving security innovations. Warren Buffett even chose Israel for Berkshire Hathaway’s first international acquisition. Google’s parent company made its largest acquisition when it acquired an Israeli cybersecurity unicorn for $32 billion in cash.

Collaboration with Israel on military technology is a congressional priority. A perfect example of this collaboration is the Iron Dome, a missile-defense system with a 90 percent interception rate within its operating parameters.

At its core, the U.S.-Israel strategic partnership recognizes that economic imperatives cannot be separated from the security realm. Our mutual enemies know this and target both aspects of US-Israel cooperation. Anti-Israel forces have a long-running strategy called Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions, which calls for governments, universities and corporations to engage in forms of economic warfare against Israel. The goal of BDS is not the creation of a Palestinian state or any other policy concession, but the destruction of Israel. As the Anti-Defamation League puts it, BDS “doesn’t seek to create a Palestinian state but rather aims to dismantle the Jewish state and end the right to Jewish national self-determination.”

The United States has a long-term interest in defeating these efforts and ensuring that Israel maintains its qualitative military and strategic edge, which includes its economic security. President Trump has noted the United States’ significant investment in the Israeli economy through military aid, much of which is invested back into the United States. However, 17 percent tariffs could cost the small Israeli economy $2 billion to $3 billion annually. Ultimately, U.S. aid to Israel represents only 0.045 percent of the federal budget. Yet, it yields priceless benefits like resisting Iranian aggression in the Middle East and stopping rogue powers such as Iraq and Syria from acquiring nuclear weapons.

What is called for is a new economic model that recognizes America’s trade deficits but considers just how valuable this relationship is to the security and well-being of America. The U.S.-Israel partnership produces a clear windfall for the American taxpayer. Israel is strategically situated and is a small but powerful friend that largely shares our values and interests. 

The United States should develop a new sort of “most favored nation” trading relationship with this critical partner — one that lowers tariffs that might harm both sides to the gain of our enemies, in favor of a more balanced partnership that strengthens both powers in a dangerous world.

Another one bites the dust.

Sen. John Fetterman’s steadfast support for Israel has reportedly led to the departure of six staff members in recent weeks.

According to The Intercept, a former Fetterman (D-Pa.) staffer said his staunch support of the Jewish state coincided with his “disavowal of progressive politics” and his openness toward working with President Donald Trump, who is also a firm ally of Israel.

When Fetterman campaigned in 2022, he ran as a progressive Democrat. However, he suffered a stroke in May 2022, which limited his time on the campaign trail.  But voters who spoke to DVJournal after attending the event Fetterman missed that night said they supported him because he was a progressive.

But perhaps it’s just smart politics.  Fetterman may have noted the country has shifted toward the right with the overwhelming support in both the popular vote and swing states for Trump in 2024.  While the DelVal Democratic congresswomen opposed the Laken Riley Bill, Fetterman sponsored it in the Senate. Named for a 22-year-old nursing student murdered by an illegal immigrant, that law requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to detain illegal aliens who have been arrested for burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting.

Fetterman has also voted for some of Trump’s cabinet members, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He broke with the progressive camp to sponsor a bill to protect Jewish college students from antisemitism on campus.

But dissatisfaction among Fetterman’s progressive staffers is not new.

Last March, three of Fetterman’s communication staff also left his office for more progressive pastures, including his former communications director, Joe Calvello, who went to work for Chicago Mayor Brandon Johson.  Calvello had previously worked for socialist Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).Another staffer at that time went to work for Sen. Bob Casey.  Casey (D-Pa.) has since lost his seat to Sen. Dave McCormick (R-Pa.).

Fetterman did not respond to a request to comment for this article.

The call for a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah (or Hamas) has become a common refrain in the media, diplomatic circles, and public discourse. The latest ceasefire deal championed by the Biden administration is nothing more than a farce. These calls are not just misguided—they are part of the problem.

Ceasefires do not bring peace; they preserve the status quo, allowing terrorist organizations to regroup, rearm, and renew their attacks. There is no scenario where a ceasefire results in lasting peace—it only delays the inevitable. If we want to end the cycle of violence, we need to stop entertaining the idea of a ceasefire and pursue real victory.

A ceasefire is often framed as a “pause” in hostilities. On the surface, it seems reasonable: halt the fighting temporarily to allow for humanitarian aid, broker a dialogue, and prevent further casualties. But in reality, ceasefires are nothing more than a reset button on an intractable conflict. They do not solve underlying issues, nor do they bring lasting peace. Instead, they only serve to maintain the status quo, leaving the door open for future violence.

The failure to acknowledge this is a dangerous delusion. There’s a fundamental difference between negotiating with a sovereign nation and negotiating with a terrorist organization. Nations have an interest in maintaining stability and peace because their survival depends on it. Terrorist organizations, however, are not interested in peace; they seek destruction. For Hezbollah, every ceasefire is just a tactical retreat—a chance to reload, reorganize, and rearm for the next wave of violence. There is no incentive for them to abide by agreements when their ultimate goal is the annihilation of Israel. Negotiating with such an entity on equal terms is not just naive; it’s counterproductive.

Ceasefires are not a victory. Wars are meant to be won, not tied. Conflicts are defined by power dynamics and survival, and any attempt at peace through a ceasefire with Hezbollah is akin to rewarding failure. It’s a participation trophy for an adversary that offers only violence. There is no reason to believe a temporary cessation of hostilities will lead to progress. This also comes at a time when Israel was systematically destroying the enemy and making it difficult, if not impossible for them to regroup. This postpones the inevitable—more violence, more death, and more suffering; or it sends the message that terrorism will be tolerated within certain boundaries.

The truth is that every time a ceasefire is called, Hezbollah wins. It buys them time to rearm, retrain, recruit new fighters, regroup their leadership, and prepare for the next round of attacks. The same rockets that targeted civilians before the ceasefire are fired again after it ends. The cycle of violence continues, and Israel is left with no choice but to defend itself again. This isn’t peace—it’s a vicious circle that keeps turning, consuming lives on both sides but never getting closer to resolution. UN Resolution 1701, which was supposed to keep peace, clearly didn’t work.

What we are witnessing is an illusion being sold as diplomacy by the Biden Administration. A ceasefire does nothing to address the root causes of conflict; it merely buys time for those who wish to destroy Israel. It’s like putting a Band-Aid on a bullet wound. The real solution lies not in negotiating with terrorists but in decisively defeating them. Israel must act in its own self-interest to ensure its survival, and that means rejecting the temptation of short-term appeasement. Victory, not compromise, is the only way forward. Let’s never forget there was a ceasefire on 10/6/23.

Moreover, the constant push for a ceasefire sends a dangerous message to the international community: terrorism is negotiable, something to be appeased rather than eradicated. The United States, the European Union, and other powers must recognize that calling for a ceasefire only rewards terrorism. It strengthens terrorist regimes, emboldens their supporters, and undermines Israel’s right to defend itself. To call for a ceasefire is to ignore the simple reality that Hezbollah will never be satisfied until it has wiped Israel off the map. The idea that this could lead to peace is both naive and dangerous.

There are no shortcuts to peace in the Middle East, and calling for a ceasefire is one of the greatest illusions of our time. The only way to end the madness is through victory. Israel must continue to decisively defeat and eradicate Hezbollah and make it clear that terrorism will not be tolerated. This is not about achieving temporary respite—it’s about ensuring long-term security, stability, and peace for future generations.

The time has come for world leaders to stop entertaining the notion of a ceasefire and focus on what matters: victory. Anything less is a betrayal of those who live under the shadow of terrorism. Wars are meant to be won, and only through victory can we break the cycle of violence and bring lasting peace to the region.

The adults are back in charge. With Donald Trump poised to return to the White House, he’s sending a message loud and clear: America will no longer tolerate weakness, nor will it abandon its allies, especially Israel.

As Trump begins to fill his cabinet with pro-Israel patriots, the world is being put on notice — a new era of strength, clarity, and unwavering support for our closest ally in the Middle East is beginning. This administration’s commitment to the U.S.-Israel relationship will be elevated to heights unseen, bringing stability to the Middle East and restoring America’s role as a formidable global leader.

For too long, antisemitism has been allowed to simmer unchecked in America, especially on college campuses where extremist ideologies often thrive under the guise of academic freedom. However, with Trump’s new cabinet, the days of looking away from these dangers are over. This administration will be unapologetically pro-Israel, pro-freedom, and pro-democracy, taking a hard stance against the forces that threaten our allies abroad and create division at home. The time of tiptoeing around antisemitism in academia and politics is finished; the Trump team is putting America on a new path, one defined by action and accountability.

The appointment of staunch pro-Israel advocates to the highest positions of power marks the dawn of a new day, signaling a seismic shift in U.S.-Israel relations. These leaders aren’t just committed to supporting Israel — they are dedicated to ensuring that America and Israel stand strong together in a world increasingly hostile to democratic ideals. Unlike past administrations, Trump’s approach is one of unwavering support, putting any ambiguity about where America stands to rest.

The message is clear: the United States will not only defend Israel’s right to exist but will also champion its success as a beacon of democracy in the Middle East. Elise Stefanik, Marco Rubio, Mike Waltz, Kash Patel and others will lead by example. Winning will become a credible and relevant word again – one that we won’t shy away from.

This strengthened alliance will reverberate across the Middle East. Trump’s cabinet, with its pro-Israel convictions, will bring a vision for stability, security, and economic growth that challenges the status quo and builds on the historic Abraham Accords. These agreements, one of Trump’s crowning achievements, began the transformation of the Middle East from a region of conflict to one of cooperation and prosperity.

Now, the renewed commitment to these Accords under Trump’s leadership promises to expand them further, inviting new allies and setting a foundation for enduring peace. For Israel, this means security. For America, it means allies. For the world, it means an unshakeable commitment to freedom and resilience against extremism.

The implications of this shift reach far beyond foreign policy; they speak to the cultural and social battles playing out within our own borders. Universities that have for too long allowed antisemitism to fester unchallenged will now face the consequences of their neglect. With this administration, federal funding for institutions that fail to protect Jewish students and foster safe, inclusive environments will come under scrutiny.

It’s time to ensure that taxpayer dollars aren’t supporting institutions that allow hatred to thrive. Trump’s team is prepared to hold academia accountable, sending a strong message that antisemitism will no longer be tolerated under the banner of free speech. American universities are being put on notice: protect all students or prepare to answer for it.

This bold new direction will undoubtedly be met with resistance from those who have grown comfortable with the passive foreign policies and lukewarm domestic strategies of past administrations. But the Trump cabinet is undeterred, viewing this pushback as proof that it’s time for real change.

These leaders are experienced, determined, and committed to reshaping America’s role in the world. They are focused on rebuilding American strength, restoring respect on the international stage, and ensuring our values are preserved at home. In this team, the Jewish community has true allies who will not shy away from confronting antisemitism or supporting Israel’s right to defend itself against those who would seek its destruction.

As Trump’s cabinet steps into their roles, the world will see that America is no longer divided in its commitment to Israel. Gone are the days of indecision and soft diplomacy; instead, we are ushering in an era where allies are protected, enemies are warned, and moral clarity drives every decision. This administration will not mince words or actions when it comes to defending Israel. Doing so will set a powerful example to the world: America will stand by its friends, especially in times of need, and will not be swayed by hostile rhetoric or ideological threats.

The implications of this administration’s pro-Israel stance extend into every aspect of American governance. It’s more than just a promise to protect our ally in the Middle East; it’s a commitment to moral leadership, restoring faith in American strength, and holding those who harbor hatred and extremism accountable. This cabinet of patriots understands that the fight against antisemitism, both at home and abroad, is a fight for America’s soul — one that will determine the kind of nation we are and the kind of legacy we leave.

As the Trump administration steps forward with these goals in mind, one thing is clear: the dawn of a new day has arrived. The U.S. is reclaiming its role as the leader of the free world with a renewed commitment to Israel and a dedication to wiping out antisemitism wherever it hides. This moment signals a turning point for Jewish students on American campuses, our allies overseas, and all Americans who believe in justice and strength.

This is the era of pro-Israel patriots, of a cabinet filled with adults who understand the stakes and are prepared to lead. Together, they are charting a course for a stronger America, a safer Middle East, and a future where allies can count on each other in times of both peace and adversity.

Republican Senate candidate Dave McCormick promised to support Israel and fight against rising antisemitism during a town hall with a Jewish group on Sunday, drawing contrasts with incumbent Democratic Sen. Bob Casey Jr.

And he called out Vice President Kamala Harris for a failure of courage in passing over Gov. Josh Shapiro for her running mate, calling it a “tragedy” the Democratic presidential nominee would cave to anti-Israel sentiment in her party.

McCormick made his remarks during a Philadelphia event hosted by Matthew Brooks, CEO of the Republican Jewish Coalition, before about 300 Jewish residents last Sunday.

McCormick said the mass shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue on 2018 and the Hamas terror attack on Israel last year impacted him personally.

“I live in Squirrel Hill in Pittsburgh, literally right around the corner from Tree of Life. So, I’m part of that community.  Every weekend on Sundays, there’s a vigil in Squirrel Hill for the hostages, a weekly reminder so we can’t lose sight of what happened on Oct. 7, and the fact that we still don’t have the Israel hostages, the American hostages, they’re still not home.”

McCormick called Oct. 7 “a huge wake-up call.”

Quoting writer Dan Senor, he said, “When a flare goes up, beware. You can see who are the friends, [and] who are the foes. And Oct. 7 was a flare. It forced people to say who they are, either in their word or their deed.”

McCormick and his wife, Dina, travelled to Israel in January to see “first-hand” what happened during the Hamas terror attack. They visited Kfar Aza, a community of 700 people. The terrorists killed 100 that day, he said.

“Families. Parents killed in front of their kids. Kids killed in front of their parents. Babies burned,” said McCormick. “People decapitated. It’s beyond imagination.”

McCormick and his wife also met with the hostage parents and a “young woman who was wounded at the music festival.” She survived because her friends who were shot dead fell on top of her.

“I came back with a profound sense of the need to stand with Israel in its existential crisis,” said McCormick. “This isn’t a skirmish. The future of Israel is at stake. It’s been attacked from all sides.”

And while President Joe Biden has been reluctant to praise Israel’s recent military actions against Hezbollah and has called for a ceasefire that would benefit the terrorist organization, McCormick — a West Point graduate who served in the 82nd Airborne in Iraq during the Gulf War and was awarded a Bronze Star — had nothing but praise.

“What’s happened in the last couple of weeks has been a brilliant military operation. Make no mistake: What’s happening with Israel is an array of forces underwritten by Iran that is a fight for the very future of Israel’s existence.”

McCormick said as someone who isn’t Jewish, he realized there was antisemitism, but “I was shocked, and I suspect many of you were, by the degree that exists on our nation’s campuses.”

The leadership of universities “unwillingness to stand up for right and wrong, and the hypocrisy of many of our leaders. The willingness to say you’re pro-Israel, pro-Jewish and then capitulate because of the extreme forces in the Democratic Party,” he said. “So this is a battle at home for the heart and soul of our country.”

“For Jews in general, what happens in this election is of the greatest consequence of many we’ve had in modern times,” McCormick added. “You get to decide, now that the flare is up, who you’re for.  And this transcends party, right?”

The group applauded.

Brooks asked him about Harris’ not choosing Pennsylvania’s Gov. Josh Shapiro as her running mate.

“The reality is Josh Shapiro is too Jewish and too pro-Israel to be on today’s Democratic ticket,” said Brooks. “I know you’ve been very critical of your congresswoman, Summer Lee, and the tone-deafness of some, both in the Jewish community and the Democratic Party.”

McCormick said, “I don’t think there’s any doubt that Josh Shapiro is a very formidable person and would have been a very capable pick to be VP. It’s hard to imagine, if you’re in the zone of complete honesty and candor, the fact that him being Jewish would have alienated a certain part of the extreme part of the Democratic Party. It’s hard to imagine, which is such a tragedy for our country, that that kind of calculus would be factored into that choice.

“And such a tragedy that Kamala Harris wouldn’t have the courage to make a selection that would have transcended those considerations.”

McCormick contrasted the actions of Democrat U.S. Sen. John Fetterman and his opponent, Sen. Bob Casey. While Fetterman has been an outspoken defender of Israel and critic of antisemitic campus protests, Casey failed to call for the ouster of former University Penn President Liz Magill after her equivocation on antisemitism during congressional testimony.

Casey has also endorsed U.S. Rep. Summer Lee (D-Pa.). “She is an avowed antisemite,” McCormick said. “And Bob Casey kept his endorsement,” he said.

Casey also supported the 2015 Iran deal that gave “the sponsor of terror throughout the Middle East $100 billion of sanction money,” said McCormick.

After the town hall, Gerri Richmond of Elkins Park said McCormick’s military service and business acumen impressed her. “When I heard him speak, I was inspired that he is the hope for our future in Pennsylvania,” said Richmond.

Retired cantor Elliott Tessler called McCormick a “down-the-line conservative and a likable fellow.”

“He came out as positively as I could have hoped for Israel,” said Tessler.

And Lower Merion resident Jeff Bartos, who ran for governor in 2018 and Senate in 2022, said, “Over the past year, Dave McCormick has led with strength and moral clarity.  Sen. Casey, on the other hand, has all too often been silent and has failed to meet the moment.  Sen. Casey’s weakness, coupled with his disastrously poor judgment in voting for the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, is disqualifying.”

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Below is an edited transcript of U.S. Sen. Tim Scott’s address to the Republican Jewish Committee on September 5, 2024.

One year ago, Israel was attacked. Homicidal terrorists had desecrated Israeli communities, bombarding and invading the Jewish state.

So many innocent men, women, and children — killed in cold blood on their own soil. And many more carried off as hostages.

We were stunned. But it was also a time of clear-eyed resolve.

We knew that America had to stop sending love letters and wire transfers to the terrorist supporters in Tehran. We knew that Republicans had to unite and bring an end to this failed Biden-Harris Administration that pays lip service in public to Israel while undermining them behind closed doors.

We were also confronting something deeper than policy failures. In our city streets, on our college campuses, we saw how the rot of anti-Semitism had spread throughout our institutions here at home.

And we resolved that we would cut out that cancer.

One year ago, I gave the terrorist sympathizers a few reminders.

Getting a federal subsidy for your education is not a right. It’s a privilege. Getting a student visa so you can be a guest in our country is not a right. It’s a privilege.

Let’s talk about what is a right: The right of Jewish Americans to walk their own neighborhoods in safety. The right of Jewish students to study and worship in peace.

It turns out a lot can change in one year

The elites who coddle anti-Semitism have seen enormous scrutiny. And many of them have gotten pink slips.

The president of the University of Pennsylvania — gone. The president of Columbia — see ya! The president of Harvard — hit the road, jack, and don’t come back. Two of the craziest Israel haters in the House Democrat caucus lost their own primaries.

Americans overwhelmingly support Israel over Hamas. We are the mainstream. We are on the right side of history. The vast majority of the American people count themselves as members of our parade — and we’re on the march.

Our work isn’t finished, not even close — but we’re beginning to put the cancer of anti-Semitism back into remission.

But there’s a problem.

There is one institution in America where the regime change ran in the other direction.

One powerful place, where a leader who half-heartedly supported Israel was forced out and replaced with somebody who the radical, anti-Israel, far left likes much better.

It’s called the Democratic ticket for 2024.

Joe Biden has been a weak, disloyal partner for our friends in Israel. He’s slow-walked. He’s equivocated on the world stage. He’s emboldened Israel’s enemies and meddled in Israeli politics.

But even so, the radical left thought President Biden was too pro-Israel.

All those same people seemed mighty happy when Joe Biden was shoved off stage for the coronation of Kamala Harris. She’s pretending to sprint back towards the middle.

The Democrat Party and the corporate media are working overtime to rebrand this radical San Francisco liberal as some kind of centrist. She ran for President on racial reparations, socialized medicine, and open borders. And now these people want us to believe she’s somewhere between Bill Clinton and Barry Goldwater.

Just how dumb do they think we are?

I know Kamala Harris. I served in the Senate with Kamala. I’ve seen her in action. She’s going to pretend to be a moderate for the next nine weeks. And the media will bend over backwards to help her.

But come Inauguration Day that mask of moderation would fall right off.

The failed Joe Biden foreign policy we see today — with a weak America, an emboldened Iran, land wars in Israel and Europe, and terrorists on the march — would be the absolute best case scenario under President Harris.

There’s a reason why the radicals and the socialists and the anti-Semites were popping champagne corks when the Democrats coronated Kamala Harris.

It’s our job to make sure they aren’t drinking champagne on November 5th.

The stakes for America and the stakes for Israel are even higher today than they were two months ago. We have nine weeks to continue our momentum and keep building on our success where it matters most.

We have nine weeks to re-elect the best friend and partner the Israeli people have had in the White House in our lifetimes — President Donald J. Trump.

And we have nine weeks to put the most liberal presidential nominee in American history out to pasture.

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