By Christian Phillips
As a Messianic believer, my heart beats for Israel, a nation that embodies God’s covenant with Abraham and shines as a beacon of hope in a turbulent world. On June 13, 2025, Israel stunned the globe with “Operation Rising Lion,” a daring strike that demolished Iran’s nuclear facilities at Natanz, crippled its ballistic missile program, and eliminated top military and nuclear leaders, including General Hossein Salami of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Iran’s armed forces chief of staff. This courageous act has set back Iran’s dangerous nuclear ambitions, safeguarding not only Israel but the entire Middle East from a regime bent on chaos. As an American, I’m driven to declare why the United States, with over 600,000 of our citizens living in Israel, must stand firmly with our greatest ally. President Trump and the Republican Party must lead with diplomacy, rejecting the war-hawk zeal of figures like Senator Lindsey Graham, to secure peace while ensuring Israel’s defense. This is a call to faith, freedom, and the protection of Israeli and American lives.
Israel’s Strike: A Shield for the Middle East
Today’s news is historic. Israel’s precision airstrikes obliterated Iran’s nuclear enrichment site at Natanz, missile production facilities, and command centers, killing key figures like General Salami, General Bagheri, and nuclear scientists Fereydoon Abbasi and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi. This “decapitation” strike has gutted Iran’s ability to advance its nuclear program or coordinate military aggression in the near term. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it a necessary act to “neutralize an existential threat,” and he’s absolutely right. Iran’s desperate retaliation—launching hundreds of ballistic missiles at Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, most intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome—was the flailing of a wounded regime.
Israel’s actions protect the entire Middle East. Iran’s nuclear quest threatened to arm a theocracy that fuels terrorism through proxies like Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis. A nuclear-armed Iran could choke the Strait of Hormuz, sending oil prices soaring and destabilizing global markets, while bullying Sunni Arab states like Saudi Arabia and the UAE. By dismantling Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and leadership, Israel has loosened its grip on the region. In Lebanon and Syria, where Iran’s proxies once held sway, new pluralistic leaders are rising, a direct result of Israel’s resolve. This strike is a shield for stability, igniting hope in a region long plagued by chaos.
Israel’s Right to Defend Itself: A Biblical and Historical Mandate
As a Messianic believer, I see Israel’s fight as both a spiritual and historical calling. Established in 1948, Israel fulfills God’s promise to Abraham—a homeland for His chosen people, reborn from the ashes of the Holocaust. Since its founding, Israel has faced relentless hostility, fighting wars in 1948, 1967, and 1973 to secure its existence. The Six-Day War, where Israel preemptively struck to thwart annihilation, echoes today’s operation. Iran’s leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who vowed “harsh punishment” after the strikes, openly deny Israel’s right to exist. Israel’s actions are not aggression but a righteous defense against a regime that persists in its nuclear pursuit, despite claims of peaceful intent.
Israel is a light in a dark region. As the Middle East’s only democracy, it upholds freedom, innovation, and faith, standing in stark contrast to Iran’s oppressive theocracy. Israel forges peace through the Abraham Accords, pioneers life-saving technology, and embodies hope. When Netanyahu urged Iranians to rise against their regime, he spoke to their longing for freedom—a future Israel’s strikes are helping to forge.
Why America Must Stand with Israel
The United States has a sacred duty to defend Israel, starting with the 600,000 American citizens living there. These are our families, students, and retirees, facing the same missile barrages as Israelis. When Iran’s rockets targeted Jerusalem today, American lives hung in the balance. Protecting Israel is protecting our own people—it’s deeply personal.
The U.S.-Israel alliance, forged after the 1973 Yom Kippur War, is a cornerstone of American security. Israel shares critical intelligence, develops technologies like the Iron Dome, and counters hostile powers like Russia and China, who back Iran. A stable Middle East benefits American families by keeping oil prices steady and trade routes open. If Iran went nuclear, the fallout—economic turmoil, emboldened terror groups—would hit our shores hard. Israel’s fight is our fight, rooted in shared values of faith, freedom, and resilience.
Trump and the Republicans: Diplomacy Over War-Hawk Fervor
President Donald Trump and the Republican Party face a defining moment. Trump has championed diplomacy, pushing for a “verified nuclear peace agreement” with Iran and setting a 60-day deadline for talks. After today’s strikes, which he called “very successful,” he urged Iran to negotiate, warning of dire consequences if they escalate further. As a Messianic believer, I applaud Trump’s pursuit of peace. War with Iran could spark a regional firestorm, drawing in global powers and devastating American families. We must avoid the reckless approach of war hawks like Senator Lindsey Graham, who’s quick to cheer “Game on” and push for conflict at every turn. Graham’s constant warmongering risks dragging us into a costly quagmire, ignoring the human and economic toll.
Diplomacy must be backed by strength, however. Iran’s history of nuclear deception, exposed after the flawed 2015 JCPOA, demands vigilance. Republicans like Senator John Thune have supported Israel’s self-defense without Graham’s zeal for war. If Iran retaliates further, the U.S. must provide Israel with intelligence, refueling, and defensive support to protect Israeli and American lives. Trump’s team, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, is already securing U.S. forces in the region, showing they understand the stakes. America must stand ready to back Israel militarily if diplomacy fails, but we cannot let war hawks like Graham dictate our path.
A Call to Action: Stand with Israel, Honor Our Faith
Today’s strikes mark a turning point. Israel has struck at the heart of Iran’s nuclear and military machine, protecting the Middle East from a regime bent on destruction. The 600,000 Americans in Israel, alongside millions of Israelis, need our unwavering support. As a Messianic believer, I see Israel as the fulfillment of God’s promise, a nation of redemption and hope in a hostile world.
To my fellow Americans, contact your representatives and demand steadfast support for Israel, but urge them to prioritize diplomacy over war-hawk calls for conflict. To President Trump and the Republican Party: Lead with peace but stand ready to defend our ally with strength, not Graham’s reckless warmongering. To the people of Israel: You are not alone. Your courage inspires me, and as a Messianic believer, I stand with you, praying for your safety and the peace of Jerusalem. Today’s actions have made the world safer—let’s ensure that light shines for generations to come.
Christian Phillips is a Messianic believer passionate about truth, freedom, and the unbreakable bond between America and Israel. Follow his blog for insights on faith, politics, and the fight for a better world.
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