A surprise preemptive strike by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, combined with severe retaliatory missile attacks, has left the Israeli public experiencing mixed emotions, with many feeling both victorious and fearful. Columnist Amir Tibon articulated this sentiment during a recent episode of the Haaretz Podcast, stating that “the vast majority of the public in Israel support this war.”
Tibon, who previously served as Haaretz’s diplomatic correspondent, discussed the first week’s developments of the conflict with podcast host Allison Kaplan Sommer, outlining potential future scenarios for the ongoing war. “The best-case scenario for Israel is either an American attack on the underground Fordow nuclear site or an agreement that causes the Iranians to give up the uranium there,” he explained. Conversely, he described the worst-case scenario as a prolonged war of attrition with Iran, in which intermittent bombings continue without the ability to significantly degrade the Iranian nuclear infrastructure, leading to relentless nighttime missile threats. “A war of attrition like what we’ve had in Gaza for the last 20 months is the least desired result for Israel,” Tibon noted.
Reflecting on the lead-up to the military action, Tibon characterized the days before the Israeli strike as a collaborative trap set by American and Israeli leaders for Iran, alleging that U.S. President Donald Trump deceptively claimed to be pressuring Israel to avoid military action in favor of diplomatic solutions.
In addition to Tibon’s insights, the podcast featured Professor Amit Schejter, who has become one of the tens of thousands of Israelis stranded abroad after the war prompted the closure of Israel’s airports, sharing the obstacles he faces in attempting to return home.