And today—when antisemitism is surging like a blind, violent storm through streets, on campuses, and across social media—we no longer have the luxury of standing on the sidelines. This hatred isn't "rising." It's roaring. It's exploding. It strikes without mercy. In the face of this reality, Israel must take its place—not behind, but in front.

The old approach—of remote monitoring, moral support, and distant solidarity with Jewish communities—was born of good intentions. But the world has changed. And our strategy must change with it. We need to set a new standard. We need to establish new norms. We need to lead—physically, morally, and globally.

Picture this: An Israeli ambassador walking confidently alongside a Jewish student across an American campus, from dorm room to classroom, through crowds of shouting, filming protesters. He's beside her, shielding her—unafraid. Or an Israeli diplomat standing in front of a synagogue or kosher butcher shop in Europe, physically placing himself between a Jewish entrance and a hostile mob. On camera. In full view of the world. Sending a clear message: You don't scream at the Jewish people. You don't attack the Jewish people. The Jewish people are not alone.

Last week in London, three 14-year-old Jewish boys were violently assaulted by antisemites—for nothing more than walking the street as Jews. Just days earlier, Jewish families in the UK admitted they had removed mezuzahs from their doors out of fear that a delivery man or restaurant courier might harm them.

When we've reached a point where Jews are hiding their identity—taking off their kippahs and Stars of David, and afraid to mark their homes as Jewish—  This isn't just a wake-up call. It's a five-alarm fire.

The State of Israel cannot respond with condemnations alone. It must respond with presence. It must send backup.

Of course, every community must take responsibility for its own safety—there's a clear interest in doing so. But the moral responsibility to lead, to reset the rules of engagement, to raise the bar—that belongs to us. It belongs to the government of Israel, to the Foreign Ministry, the Diaspora Ministry, and to every official acting in the name of the Jewish state.

Because Israel does not lead from behind. Israel leads from the front.

Israel Tomorrow must become the global symbol of Jewish security. A new standard must be set—where defending Jews is not just a reaction, but a proactive mission. Not just a commitment, but a calling.

We are one people. One destiny. And in an age when ancient hatred returns in modern disguise—Israel must stand tall and lead.

Not just a state of the Jews. A state for the Jews.

Micah Avni is the founder of the 'Israel Tomorrow' forum.

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But Israel's leadership is stuck.
We're being governed like it's another time, another place.
Politics has devolved into a circus of personal survival and backroom deals — instead of a strategic, ethical, national command center. The problem isn't just one politician or one party. It's an entire generation of failed leadership. A generation without vision. Without backbone. Without common sense.

Public trust is collapsing — not just in the government, but across every major institution: the Knesset, the parties, the bureaucracy, the regulators, the watchdogs.
A system built to serve the public has become a battlefield of interests and self-preservation.

And yet — out of the wreckage, something new is rising.
A new generation of leaders is already here.
You'll find them across the country: in our communities, schools, reserve units, pre-army programs, universities, startups, and neighborhoods.
They're not waiting for permission. They're already stepping up.

The problem isn't a lack of leadership.
The problem is visibility.
These people exist. They're taking action. Making a difference.
All we need to do is open our eyes.
We don't have to look far — just past the noise and smoke of the old system.

Haim Hefer said it best back in 1948:
"He's searching for tomorrow — and he'll find it, no doubt.
From the outpost, from the desert — he will come, suddenly, one day."

But today, the old guard — and their noise machines in politics and media — are hiding the leaders of tomorrow.
They're not missing. They're just obscured by a fog of ignorance, distraction, and deliberate confusion.

These new leaders didn't come up through politics.
They rose up from the people.
They're not fixers or dealmakers — they're doers. They're believers. They're builders with a purpose.

October 7th was a breaking point. But it must become a turning point.
A moment of decision:
To choose truth.
To choose a future.
To choose new leadership.

The old generation sold illusions.
The next generation demands integrity.
The politicians hesitated.
The leaders of tomorrow are ready to lead.

As it says in Deuteronomy:
"And there was a king in Jeshurun, when the leaders of the people gathered, united as one."
Israel doesn't need more politicians.
Israel needs unifying leadership.

We've already seen the model: the reservists who showed up — together.
Religious and secular. Right and left. Center and periphery.
They didn't act out of self-interest. They acted out of purpose.

The real divide today isn't left versus right.
It's old versus new.
Spin versus truth.
Self-interest versus responsibility.
Politics versus leadership.

The future isn't coming. It's already here.
We just need to open our eyes and recognize it.

The people of Israel will build what comes next —
An Israel with backbone. With vision. With clarity.
An Israel that doesn't fear the future — but shapes it.

Because the future won't wait.
And the past can't lead.

Israel needs new leadership — not more of the same.

Micah Avni is an Israeli businessman, attorney, and founder of the "Israel Tomorrow" initiative. 

The post Israel needs new leadership, not more of the same appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Twenty-three years ago today, my dear friend Daniel Lewin fell victim to al-Qaida terrorists aboard American Airlines Flight 11 – the first casualty of the September 11 attacks.

At just 31, Daniel's life was tragically cut short. The 9/11 Commission report suggests he was stabbed by a hijacker seated behind him, likely while attempting to confront another terrorist in front of him, unaware of the danger at his back. Knowing Daniel as I did, I have no doubt he fought against the attackers on Flight 11. It was simply in his nature.

Our families both immigrated to Israel in the summer of 1984, settling at the integration center in Mevaseret Zion near Jerusalem. The Lewins arrived shortly before us, and Daniel and I quickly formed a close bond. We played in a rock band together, shared shifts at a local pizza place, explored Jerusalem's Old City, and traversed the country side by side. I vividly recall the night Daniel met his future wife – within moments of their first dance, it was as if they were the only two people in the room.

For years, I declined to speak publicly about Daniel's life. It wasn't until after I joined the ranks of bereaved families myself, following my father Richard Lakin's murder by Hamas, that I felt able to address such loss.

Much has been written about Daniel over the past 23 years, including a biography. Most accounts capture his essence accurately. Daniel was truly larger than life: more brilliant, stronger, more determined, more charismatic, and more energetic than anyone I've ever encountered. His intellect was so formidable it likely defied measurement, and he possessed enough drive to fuel an entire team of professional athletes.

Daniel was a force of nature, combining the stature of a giant with the raw power of a brontosaurus. His achievements speak volumes: an officer in the IDF's elite special forces unit Sayeret Matkal, top of his class at both the Technion and MIT, and the tech visionary who built Akamai Technologies into a multi-billion dollar enterprise that revolutionized internet speed and reliability.

While Daniel's public legacy is well-documented, one crucial aspect often goes underemphasized: his unwavering Zionism. Despite his success in Boston, Daniel's heart remained set on returning to Israel.

During a visit to the US in 2000, Daniel and I took a long walk along the Charles River, followed by lunch at a quaint Cuban restaurant. Afterward, we stood gazing at the Akamai building – a former MIT structure Daniel had commandeered for his company's headquarters. His eyes gleamed with pride and possibility as we discussed the future – both his own and Israel's.

Our conversation turned to the pressing need for electoral reform in Israel, which we both viewed as critical to the nation's long-term viability. We lamented how the current system rendered the government nearly dysfunctional and predicted the problem would only worsen.

While I expressed concern, Daniel outlined his solution with characteristic confidence: he would eventually return to Israel, we would establish a new political party, and he would personally fund an unprecedented campaign. His goal? To become prime minister and lead a new ruling coalition.

"It's simple," he asserted. "We'll adopt a constitution, overhaul the electoral system, and then tackle all of Israel's other challenges."

Daniel spoke with an unwavering determination uniquely his own. I have no doubt that had he not perished on September 11, Daniel would have returned to Israel and ultimately ascended to the role of prime minister. That day, I lost a cherished friend. And Israel lost precisely the kind of leader it so desperately needs today.

Micha Avni is a businessman and public activist who lost his father to a terror attack.

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Israel stands at a pivotal moment, with its actions against Hezbollah on the Northern Front poised to shape its geopolitical destiny and identity within the Middle East. The question looms large: Are we a sovereign regional force, or have we become a US protectorate, navigating from one tactical operation to the next in search of fleeting peace?

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Recent discussions have touched on the notion of 'absolute victory,' a term that seems almost archaic, reminiscent of the Six-Day War some six decades ago—a landmark in military strategy that continues to be a subject of study worldwide. The decisive Operation Focus, which saw a surprise air strike decimating the majority of Egypt, Syria, and Jordan's combat aircraft on the war's first day, is a testament to the power of bold leadership and strategic foresight.

This victory was the product of the visionary planning by Israeli Air Force Commander Ezer Weizman, the impeccable execution by General Motti Hod, the supportive oversight by Chief of Staff Yitzhak Rabin, and the courageous approval by Prime Minister Levi Eshkol. Such leadership dared to make a pivotal, risky choice, securing a deterrent triumph.

Yet, today's leadership appears hesitant, particularly in formulating a decisive strategy against Hezbollah. A third Lebanon war, if it comes to pass, must be swift, devastating, and conclusive, leveraging the element of surprise to underscore Israel's military prowess unequivocally.  It must be remembered as the last Lebanon war.

Operation Focus 2024 should envision a massive, surprise assault on Lebanon's state infrastructure together with Hezbollah's military infrastructure. Without delving into specifics, the operation should aim to incapacitate Hezbollah's civilian and military capabilities comprehensively, including electricity, telecommunications, and water systems, as well as missile arsenals, launch sites, and command and control centers.

The stark reality post-October 7 underscores a chilling binary: it's either us or them. The persistent violations of Resolution 1701 and the explicit threats against Israel's existence reveal an adversary with whom negotiation or agreement is futile.

Five key considerations underscore the urgency of a proactive, strategic military and political stance:

1. Preemption vs. Reaction: Failing to act leaves us vulnerable to surprise attacks that could wreak havoc on our infrastructure and disrupt our society, especially when least expected. Initiating action would afford us a critical advantage.
2. Persistent conflict since October 8: With daily assaults on settlements and bases, the North has descended into war, displacing approximately 100,000 residents, and rendering the term 'low-intensity conflict' obsolete.
3. Economic and Social Fallout: The conflict's toll on our economy and daily life in the North is escalating, casting the inevitability of escalation from a matter of 'if' to 'when.'
4. US-Israel relations: "Biden won't allow us to attack," "We need more munitions." While concerns about US approval and armament supply persist, true leadership transcends excuses. As someone who grew up and was educated in the US, I know that Americans (and most of the world for that matter) respect bold, principles-based leadership. An assertive move in the North, despite unavoidable international scrutiny and initial American dissatisfaction with the timing, will ultimately garner support absolute support.  The administration understands regional dynamics and is committed to countering Iran's influence.  While we may differ on the tactics and timing, the US will have our back.
5. A clear stand against Iran: With Iran edging closer to nuclear capability, targeting its primary proxy in Lebanon aligns with American interests. Despite the politicking of an election year, Israel must prioritize its sovereignty and regional deterrence.

The Israeli populace is acutely aware of the grave costs of a full-scale northern conflict but also recognizes the strategic benefit of preemptive action to mitigate damage. Over five months of inaction due to indecision and fear is unacceptable. An Israeli offensive is not only dictated by circumstance but also crucial in conveying a resolute message to our adversaries, surpassing any political calculus.

Israeli citizens have awoke to the new reality; now, it is up to our decision-makers to act decisively.

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