In a bold and unusual move, hundreds of former Israeli security officials affiliated with the group "Commanders for Israel's Security" have sent a letter to U.S. President Donald Trump, urging him to pressure the Israeli government to halt its military campaign in Gaza. The letter, dated August 1, 2025, was sent to the White House under the title "Stop the Gaza War!"
The signatories, including former senior figures from the IDF, Mossad, Shin Bet, police, and the Israeli diplomatic corps, claim that the main objectives of the war - dismantling Hamas' military capabilities and breaking its rule - have already been achieved. They argue that the primary national goal now should be securing the release of Israeli hostages, which they believe requires a negotiated deal.
"In our professional judgment, Hamas no longer poses a strategic threat to Israel," the letter states. "Israel possesses all necessary means to pursue remaining terror operatives, either remotely or by other means." The authors emphasize that hostages must be returned without delay: "Our hostages cannot wait."
The letter also asserts that Trump maintains substantial influence over Israeli public opinion, and this influence could be pivotal in guiding Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government toward a new course. That path, the letter outlines, includes ending the war, securing the hostages' release, alleviating civilian suffering, and forming a regional-international coalition to empower a reformed Palestinian Authority as an alternative to Hamas.
Notable signatories include:
- Maj. Gen. (Res.) Matan Vilnai, former Deputy Chief of Staff and CIS Chairman
- Maj. Gen. (Res.) Ami Ayalon, former head of the Shin Bet
- Tamir Pardo, former Mossad Director
- Commissioner (Ret.) Assaf Hefetz, former Israeli Police Chief
- Ambassador (Ret.) Jeremy Issacharoff, former Deputy Director General of the Foreign Ministry
The letter was also endorsed by former Prime Ministers Ehud Barak and Moshe "Bogie" Ya’alon.
Commanders for Israel's Security comprises around 600 former high-ranking security officials and is known for advocating regional diplomatic arrangements and center-left positions on Israeli security policy.
