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Source: https://fridainsight.substack.com/p/why-israelis-and-americans-see-the
For Israelis, There's Nothing Remote about the Danger from Iran
(Substack) Frida Ghitis - In Israel, polls show an astounding level of support for the war against Iran, with more than 80% of Israelis backing the war effort. That includes the entire political spectrum. A poll by the Israel Democracy Institute found that 93% of Israeli Jews - including 76% of self-identified leftists - support the war. Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid told the Economist, "I have fairly earned the title of 'Netanyahu's fiercest political rival'....Yet on this military campaign, I stand behind the government and behind the operation in Iran. Why? Because this is not political - it is existential." Most Americans view Iran as a distant, theoretical threat. Yes, Iran is a major sponsor of terrorism, it has tried to develop nuclear weapons, has funded terrorist proxies, killed Americans around the world, helped Russia kill Ukrainians, and built alliances with repressive dictatorships across the globe. But that's all far away. For Israelis, there's nothing theoretical or remote about the danger. Israelis have listened to Iranian leaders for decades declare their intention to wipe Israel off the map and saw them install a clock in Tehran with a countdown to Israel's destruction. They have watched as Tehran built a paramilitary ring of fire around Israel with Iran-created and/or sponsored proxy militias, terrorist groups openly committed to Israel's destruction, launching thousands of rocket attacks, culminating in the Oct. 7, 2023, assault by Iran-funded Hamas. Against this backdrop, Iran has been enriching uranium to a level that serves no other purpose than for building nuclear weapons, while developing an arsenal of missiles in preparation to take on Israel.