Speaking on Channel 14’s ‘Israel This Morning’ with host Oded Menashe, Maj. Gen. (res.) Uzi Dayan, former Deputy Chief of Staff, addressed the escalating security situation with Iran and Israel’s internal challenges. He emphasized the need for victory both externally and internally, linking the war, upcoming elections, and the Jewish fast day of Tisha B’Av.
1+Dayan warned of the immediate danger from Tehran and said Israel must be on high alert. “In a situation like this, we need to be doubly vigilant,” he said. “First, to be ready for the possibility that Iran will attack us—and it could happen within minutes. Both Iran itself and through its foreign outposts.”
Major General (res.) sharply criticized U.S. handling of Iran, arguing that Americans prefer negotiation over justified military action. Dayan called on President Donald Trump to change strategy: “If the Americans decided to paralyze Iran in terms of transportation—all the bridges, its airport, its seaport… you can hurt Iran economically very, very hard. But for that, Trump needs to stop threatening and start acting.”
1+Dayan also addressed the importance of internal unity, especially on Tisha B’Av, the Jewish day of mourning for the destruction of the Temple. “The war, the elections, and today Tisha B’Av… these things connect in one word—the need for victory,” he said. “We need to win the war, everyone wants to win the elections, and on Tisha B’Av we mainly need to overcome ourselves above all else.” Dayan highlighted the dangers of internal discord and noted that some politicians find political gain in having “an enemy from within.”