Reconstructing Judaism and the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association (RRA) are deeply alarmed by yesterday’s large-scale attack launched by Iran on Israel involving a barrage of hundreds of missiles and drones. We condemn the attack and are thankful that US-funded missile defense systems and swift Israeli, Jordanian, American and British military responses prevented Israeli casualties and widespread destruction. We pray for the swift recovery of a 7-year-old Bedouin-Israeli child who was seriously wounded.
We recognize that Iran and Israel have been conducting an ongoing low-grade war for years and that Iran has framed yesterday’s attack as retaliation for a recently reported Israeli attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus. Nevertheless, Iran’s direct attack from its territory against Israeli soil represents a serious escalation by Iran, for which Iran’s government has rightly drawn widespread international condemnation. We are very concerned about the possible outbreak of a devastating regional war and we are encouraged by President Biden’s swift work with multiple allies to attempt to de-escalate the conflict with Iran and deter further strikes on Israel. We also support the efforts of the many world leaders who continue to work tirelessly to turn down the heat on the entire region, including by bringing the fighting in Gaza to an end, returning the hostages home and providing massive aid relief to Gazan civilians.
