Israelis expressed their concern yet support for the IDF's strikes against Iran in the early morning of June 13.
Following the initial strikes, which saw some 200 Israeli fighter jets strike over 100 targets across Iran, including residential apartment blocks in Tehran, Iranian officials vowed to respond in kind, but have yet to do so from inside the country.
While safety remains a priority for Israelis as they fear further escalation of the conflict, it appears that the country stands united across the political spectrum in their mission to restrict Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
Eddy, who asked not to use his second name, speaking with IntelliNews, said that he was concerned that the situation could potentially spiral out of control despite his government's best efforts to limit the damage on the other side. "The last thing we want is Iran to have a rally around the flag effect; that's not the intention of these strikes."
His comments were not backed up on social media by officials, who have become convinced that the Iranian people and the government are two separate entities and can be easily separated.
“This is not a war between Israel and the Iranian people. This is a fight to stop a terrorist regime from acquiring the most dangerous weapon on earth,” Israeli author and activist Noa Tishby posted on X.
“Israel cannot allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon. The Middle East cannot allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon. Because a nuclear Iran doesn’t just threaten Israel, it threatens the entire world.”
Israeli Minister of Diaspora Amichai Chikli posted, “This strike was not aimed at the Iranian people but at their oppressors—the deranged clique that hijacked that proud nation and wrecked it, along with the entire Middle East.”
While often at odds with the incumbent Prime Minister, the leader of the opposition, Yair Lapid, appeared to be in support of the IDF’s military campaign.
“The Israeli attack on Iran last night was necessitated by reality,” he said. Lapid then confirmed that the opposition “fully supports the objectives of the operation. The opposition will provide any assistance required. When it comes to the security of Israeli citizens, we are one people, with one goal.”
Despite the dangers posed by the situation, Israelis on vacation have expressed an interest in returning to their home country in order to be with their families at this time. Karin Oknin, on vacation with her husband in Romania, explained that, “it was very stressful because the daughters are in Israel and we are not.”
“We woke up in a panic, our bodies immediately tensed up, even when we were not in danger. The vacation is no longer interesting - we just want to go home to the children,” she told N12.
There is also a significant concern over possible antisemitic attacks abroad following the rise in tensions with Iran, with Israel closing its embassies across the globe in expectation of an Iranian response.
"In light of recent developments, Israeli missions around the world will be closed, and consular services will not be provided," Israel’s Foreign Ministry announced in a statement seen by bne IntelliNews.
The ministry also warned Israelis and Jews in the diaspora to avoid displaying Israeli or Jewish symbols in public places so as to avoid any security threats.
