Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that Iran may strike Israeli territory around the upcoming High Holidays, citing Tehran's historical pattern of targeting Jewish religious observances and the current escalation of U.S.-Iran military exchanges.
In a interview with Ynet, Katz was aked "Is there concern about missiles toward the State of Israel with the approach to holidays, to religious holidays?" Katz responded affirmatively, acknowledging the threat while emphasizing preparedness.
"The PM and I are in daily monitoring together with the IDF, sometimes in the middle of the night on the red phone. We're not easing up on any information. We don't want to be surprised. We're prepared," Katz said.
When asked whether the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict could spill into Israeli territory, Katz explained:
"As their pressure mounts and friction there grows and the chokehold on Iran, enormous economic chokehold, yes, on the extreme regime, but for the people therem there's likelihood that yes, they'll attack."
He attributed Iran's motivation to a strategic miscalculation born of desperation. "To try to confuse, between chokehold and war, they might prefer the second thing," he said, suggesting Tehran may see military action as preferable to further economic siege.
The Holiday Factor
Most starkly, Katz characterized Iran's targeting of Jewish holidays as deliberate policy rooted in ideology.
"They love attacking on Jewish holidays because they're Jew-haters. Yes, pay attention to many things that happened in the past," he said.
U.S.-Israel Coordination
Katz emphasized that Israel and the United States are aligned in both defensive and offensive posture against Iran. "We're prepared in both defense and attack in tandem with the United States on this part," he said.
He described the current military relationship as unprecedented. "We're the only ones in the world prepared to attack Iran," Katz claimed, noting that the Air Force has developed strike capabilities that "didn't exist before."
Red Lines
He set clear parameters for Israeli response. "If they attack us, we'll respond with great force regardless of anyone," he stated, suggesting that Israeli retaliation would not be constrained by American preferences or regional diplomacy.
However, he indicated that Israel has been allowing the United States to take the lead in current operations due to American strategic interests in the Strait of Hormuz and regional energy supplies. "Right now we're allowing the Americans because of their interests, Hormuz, energy [but] if they attack us, we've made clear to everyone and also said publicly, PM Netanyahu, me, and the Iranians probably take it seriously."
