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Source: https://www.jns.org/cloudy-with-a-chance-of-missiles/
Cloudy with a Chance of Missiles
(JNS) David Yaari - When Israelis tune in to the nightly forecast, alongside the chance of rain, viewers are calmly informed of the probabilities of missile fire. Growing up in America, this would have been unthinkable. No American president, Republican or Democrat, would ever tolerate a reality in which missiles could be arbitrarily lobbed onto their sovereign soil. The response would be immediate, overwhelming and unquestioned. Yet somehow, the world has grown accustomed to the absurdity of routine missile fire directed at Israel. As if this is an acceptable condition of existence. As if this is normal. And God forbid, Israel should respond. The fact that we can defend ourselves doesn't diminish the intent behind these deadly weapons. Missiles aimed at population centers are designed to kill civilians indiscriminately, and over the years, Israeli civilians have been killed. These missiles are fired at our cities, our homes, our hospitals and schools, with the explicit intention of killing our people, making it very personal. Over the last 20 years, there have been more "missile fall" days than rainfall days in Israel. Since Israel unilaterally withdrew from Gaza in 2006, Hamas has launched over 50,000 rockets and missiles toward Israeli towns and cities. Hizbullah in Lebanon has spent more than a decade firing missiles randomly into civilian areas. Houthi terrorists in Yemen have launched drones and missiles aimed at Israel. During the 12-day war in June 2025, Iran fired large payload ballistic missiles capable of devastating destruction toward Israel, some of which caused real damage, injuries and loss of life. It's time to state unequivocally: We will not be the region's dumping ground for missiles. Children should not routinely have to run to shelters in the middle of the night. Families should not lie awake waiting to see what was hit this time. A response that forces aggressors to think 10 times before launching another missile is not escalation; it is prevention. Remarkably, living with extreme uncertainty has forged an unusually strong civilian society. Israelis have developed a form of resilience that allows life to continue, businesses to grow, families to flourish and happiness to shine, even under potential existential threat. When life is fragile, it is also precious. Israelis live fully because they understand how quickly life can be interrupted. Being surrounded by neighbors who openly call for the destruction of the Jewish state has strengthened our resolve, deepened our connection to the land, and emboldened younger generations to defend our right to exist. The writer is CEO of the Texas Israel Partnership.