Won’t it be amazing if Israel chose to retaliate against Iran on Yom Kippur? Halachically, I don’t think there’s a problem with the idea: the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chayim 329) rules that in a city that is near the border (which can be extrapolated to mean any tense security situation), even if the gentiles come to do business in straw or hay, we desecrate the Shabbat to repel them. This includes Yom Kippur, and Yom Kippur which falls on Shabbat.
In any event, as of today, Friday, Erev Yom Kippur 5785, we don’t know if even Prime Minister Netanyahu has decided when to attack Iran and where to direct the attack – or attacks.
Barak Ravid announced on Axios late Thursday night, citing three Israeli and American officials, that during their conversation on Wednesday, President Biden and Netanyahu advanced their discussions regarding the extent of Israel’s intended response to Iran.
The existing strategies are somewhat more assertive than the White House prefers, according to a high-ranking Israeli official. Nevertheless, following the conversation between Biden and Netanyahu, a US official remarked, “We are progressing positively.” Another US official indicated that the administration felt somewhat less apprehensive regarding Israel’s plans after the two leaders’ discussion. The senior Israeli official further noted that the differences between the United States and Israel concerning the nature and extent of the attack have diminished.
So, what’s there, to paraphrase Second City’s John Candy and Joe Flaherty, “blow up real good” in Iran (And, of course, if you recall Second City, you’re my kind of boomer)?
- Iran’s nuclear facilities – that’s a job that cannot be completed by Israel alone, and so, if the White House remains true to its commitment to sit this one out on the bleachers, those facilities may be safe for now.
- Iran’s four major oil fields – although taking them out of commission would surely cause the collapse of Iran’s economy, the US is afraid of the resulting gasoline price hikes, one month before the presidential elections. So, probably no oil hellfire that could be seen from the space station, although, who knows, Bibi might go crazy and give us the light show.
- Military bases of the Revolutionary Guards – attacks on these bases could be devastating if done right, but by now, they may be empty.
- Iran’s manufacturing facilities of long-range ballistic missiles. According to reports, Iran’s ballistic missile attack against Israel on October 1, which included close to 200 missiles, comprised about 17% of the country’s stocks. So, taking out the rest of those stocks would be very useful, especially in denying the Mullahs the means to retaliate.
In addition there are targets intended to humiliate or even eliminate Iran’s leadership. Such targets would include surgical strikes against state institutions in Tehran and elsewhere.
On Thursday night, Netanyahu’s security cabinet did not reach a decision regarding the when and where questions – or at least that’s what Reshet Bet Radio reported Friday morning. Most of the meeting was devoted to a clash between Transport Minister Miri Levi and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over a DM leak last week that suggested soldiers who were called up to the northern front could not get public transportation on account of the holiday of Rish Hashanah which was followed by Shabbat. Regev was incensed, first because the leak was a lie, and also because it served a small, leftist cadre as a bulwark against suspending public transportation on Shabbat and Jewish holidays.
Gallant stood up and left the meeting, followed by Regev’s injured screaming.
Leftwing Refusals, Again?
Minister Regev also attacked the IDF Deputy Chief of Staff, Maj. Gen. Amir Baram over the army’s failure to take severe steps against 130 enlisted and career soldiers who signed a petition threatening to quit if the IDF didn’t suspend its operations in the Gaza Strip.
The report on said petition appeared in Haaretz (130 Israeli Soldiers Declare They Will Refuse to Serve Unless Gov’t Seeks Hostage Deal) on Wednesday, noting that “The letter, addressed to cabinet ministers and the IDF’s chief of staff, was signed by reservists and draftees across a wide range of roles, including in the Armored Corps, the Artillery Corps, the Home Front Command, the air force, and the navy.”
Maj. Gen. Baram responded that there were only five signatories and that they were being handled severely.
The Hebrew version of the Haaretz article included quotes from a single signatory by name and a quote from one anonymous signatory, but the author, Liza Rozovsky, reported that 47 signatories were combat soldiers who have already taken steps to avoid fighting or are considering such steps, and more than 100 have served since October 7.
