On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched the deadliest attack in Israel’s history, shattering the nation’s sense of security. The aftermath of this brutal invasion continues to affect the region, drawing Israel into wars on two fronts — against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, both supported by Iran. Despite this grim reality, Israel’s fight is not only necessary but morally justified.

It’s important to acknowledge the points raised by some on the left, such as Ezra Klein and Hussein Ibish: Hamas’s calculated provocation on that dark day was designed to bait Israel into a protracted conflict, one that would tarnish its international standing. Sinwar’s goal was clear, as Klein aptly notes, to “recenter” the Palestinian cause by drawing Israel into an endless, brutal invasion of Gaza. Hamas, prescient of the global community’s reaction to Israeli retaliation, knew that antisemitism would rear its ugly head the moment Israel fought back. In this, Hamas’s plan has partially succeeded, but shame on those who blame Israel for defending itself. Criticizing Israel’s response only gives the terrorists exactly what they want: a divided world where the Jewish state is vilified for daring to survive.

The Biden administration’s push for a cease-fire, as William McGurn of the Wall Street Journal pointed out, only perpetuates the status quo, which has proven deadly for Israelis. Netanyahu understands that going back to the “status quo ante” would mean more attacks, more death, and more terror. The U.S. president’s desire to restore calm at any cost misses the point: this is not a war over land but a war for survival. Israel is fighting not just against Hamas and Hezbollah but against a regional network of terror backed by Iran, a shared enemy of both Israel and the United States.

Iran’s influence is clear. Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran has openly declared war against Israel and the U.S., whom it labels as “the little Satan” and “the great Satan.” Bret Stephens of the New York Times reminds us that Israel’s proxy war against Israel over the years has claimed American lives as well, from the 1983 bombing of the Marine barracks in Beirut to the deaths of U.S. soldiers in Iraq from Iranian-made weapons. This is why Israel’s fight is America’s fight too. Iran’s proxies, Hezbollah and Hamas, operate with the goal of eradicating the Jewish state and spreading chaos throughout the region. Israel’s successes in countering these terror groups, including the targeted killing of Hezbollah’s Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas’s Ismail Haniyeh, are remarkable achievements that have sent shockwaves through Iran’s terror network.

While some like Matthew Petti from Reason note the high cost of this conflict — billions in U.S. military aid and countless lives lost — the cost of inaction is always higher. History shows that attempts to pacify evil only invite greater disaster. America’s reluctance to engage in conflicts like World War II emboldened Hitler and ultimately led to greater loss of life and treasure. Similarly, a U.S. refusal to support Israel fully would embolden Iran and its proxies, leading to even greater chaos in the future. We must not forget that evil triumphs when good men do nothing.

Despite the challenges, Israel has had important victories over the past year. City Journal’s Eitan Fischberger highlights Israel’s achievements in its counterterrorism efforts against Hamas and Hezbollah, culminating in what many are calling the most significant victories in Israel’s modern history. These successes send a clear message to Iran and its terror affiliates: Israel will not be defeated, and it will defend its people by any means necessary.

While Hamas and Hezbollah remain resilient, the war Israel is waging is about far more than territory or politics — it is a war against an ideology that seeks to destroy not only Israel but the very concept of a free, democratic society in the Middle East. As Hussein Ibish of The Atlantic rightly notes, Hamas is not just a group but an idea, one that preaches the virtues of martyrdom and violence. Yet, allowing Hamas to declare victory simply by surviving is unacceptable. The international community must reject this narrative and stand with Israel in its fight for survival.

The rise in antisemitism globally, as documented by the New York Post’s John Podhoretz, is a troubling reminder of the stakes in this conflict. The October 7 attack reignited hatred against Jews, leading to a surge of antisemitic incidents worldwide. This resurgence of ancient hatred underscores the need for Israel’s strength and resilience. As Podhoretz powerfully puts it, today, unlike in the dark chapters of history, the Jewish people have a state, a powerful army, and the determination to prevail over their enemies.

In conclusion, Israel’s battle is not just a local conflict — it is part of a larger war against terrorism and the forces of evil in the world. The Biden administration’s push for a cease-fire and return to the status quo is misguided and dangerous. Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah are not interested in peace; they are dedicated to Israel’s destruction. The United States should continue to support Israel militarily and diplomatically, recognizing that Israel’s victories against these terror groups are victories for freedom and democracy in the Middle East and beyond. As history has shown, appeasing evil only leads to greater tragedy — it is time to stand firm in defense of what is right.