Israel’s D-Day: The Day the World Changed

There are days that stand apart in the history of a people. For Israel—and for the world—June 13, 2025, is such a day. Israel’s extraordinary operation against Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure did not just prevent nuclear war; it averted another Holocaust and the global chaos that would have followed. Except this time, the Holocaust would not have taken years. It would have happened in seconds.

Since that fateful October 7th, 2023, thousands of Israeli soldiers and civilians put their lives on the line. Many made the ultimate sacrifice—some willingly, some as innocent victims. They are true heroes. We must forever honor their memory, for it is their courage and suffering that paved the way for this new dawn that we, the survivors, shall witness. Imagine if in 1938 we had 10,000 Jews ready to fight to stop what was coming. Today, we do have those heroes.

The US–Israel alliance has proven indispensable. American support sustained this operation and reaffirmed a deep and enduring commitment to our shared democratic values and security. To the countless advocates, Members of Congress, and successive US administrations who have stood by Israel—thank you. Your provision of the Iron Dome and other critical defense systems has saved thousands of lives. You are heroes, too.

From a Jewish lens, it is impossible not to see Hashgacha Pratis—Divine Providence—in the unfolding of these events. October 7th was a day of horror and darkness. Yet it awakened Israel, the Jewish world, and its allies to a peril that could no longer be ignored. Without that wake-up call, the threat of annihilation would have continued to hover—strengthening moment by moment like a growing cancer. But instead, we struck decisively: first degrading Iran’s proxies—Hamas, Hezbollah, Syria, Yemen—and now going to the head of the snake itself: Iran.

The Lubavitcher Rebbe taught us to confront evil with both spiritual and physical strength. That message echoes louder today than ever. The IDF and Mossad have shown military brilliance that has redefined global perceptions of Jewish resilience and power. Precision. Intelligence. Bravery. Israel now stands among the world’s most elite defense forces.

And yet this strength is not just for defense. It is for renewal. Jewish strength, born of moral clarity and deep historical memory, can help lead the world toward peace, wisdom, and harmony. The antisemitic fantasy that the world would be better without Jews has been disproven time and again. History shows: when Jews are oppressed, massacred, or exiled, the nations that perpetrated or allowed it inevitably decline—and many never regain their former glory.

This painful conflict will become the turning point in the reshaping of the Middle East. Just as World War II ushered in a new global order, this war may yet reveal the foundations of a different regional future—one that edges us closer to the Messianic era we have yearned for over millennia.

Of course, Iran remains a dangerous, unpredictable force. Retaliation has already cost lives and inflicted deep pain. We mourn the fallen. We pray for the complete and speedy healing of the wounded and the rebuilding of shattered homes and hearts. But we must see this mission through. History teaches us the cost of restraint.

Already, some nations—including Australia and New Zealand—have begun to condemn Israel. The diplomatic battles have only just begun. We must stay united, proactive, and relentless. Many Jewish organizations and allies are working day and night to defend the truth. But all of us have a role to play.

That role is not just political or financial—it is deeply spiritual. Much of what we are witnessing defies logic and nature. Our prayers matter. Our unity matters. Our moral clarity matters. And yes, Israel’s economy will need rebuilding. We must be prepared to support that effort in every way.

Even now—especially now—there is room for pride. For strength. For deep gratitude. We are living through a historic chapter—one that will be studied, remembered, and retold for generations to come. Let us walk through it with courage, clarity, and conviction.