Thursday, October 1, 2026
In unleashing a disastrously ill-conceived assault on Iran, President Trump brought new chaos in the world, and in doing so, made us all less safe. Contrary to repeated campaign promises to never go to war in Iran, he did just that — without Congressional authorization or any clear or concise justification.
Let me be clear: Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, was a tyrant and an international menace. During a nearly four-decade reign of terror, his autocratic regime slaughtered thousands of peaceful protesters and viciously oppressed and brutalized women. His regime was one of the most repressive in the world to LGBTQ people, with punishments ranging from public beatings to execution.
Khamenei unabashedly sought and supported the eradication of Israel, made “Death to America!” the regime’s rallying cry at home and abroad, launched countless unprovoked assaults on the Middle East’s only democracy and fanned the flames of antisemitism through rhetoric, his educational system, and the active persecution of the few remaining Iranian Jews as well as those in surrounding states. His regime flouted its nuclear agreements with the West and rattled the saber of atomic annihilation as a bargaining chip.
The end of this monstrous regime, if achieved thoughtfully and strategically, would certainly benefit the cause of peace in the Middle East and throughout the world. But no one who is following this spiraling crisis could ascribe such an attribute to the Trump administration’s approach.
The Feb. 28 incursion was launched without advising or securing consent from Congress, as required by the Constitution, and without any level of bipartisan discussion or a plan to facilitate lasting peace. The administration’s claims of a pre-emptive strike are easily dismantled, and there doesn’t seem to be a clear understanding of the effort’s goals or how to end the war.
Trump said the attacks were designed to instigate regime change, and later admitted that they could produce a leader worse than Khamenei.
The chaos has led to real and tragic consequences. Already, no fewer than 13 American service members have lost their lives, a fact met with callous resignation by the administration. Trump dropped hints of a possible deployment of U.S. ground troops, making a greater loss of life a grim possibility.
Israel and the Middle East are now the targets of daily bombardments. This is personal for me, because my son-in-law was raised in Israel, and he still has family living there. I’m sure the stress and worry I feel for their safety is felt by many Nassau County families that are in a similar situations.
Here at home, concerns for the safety of Jews and Muslims alike have surged amid a wave of hateful online rhetoric and conspiracy theories. The Nassau County Police Department has stepped up patrols of houses of worship so that congregants of all faiths can worship freely and in peace.
When it comes to combating religious hatred, for me there is never right or left; there is just right and wrong. As a Jew, combating antisemitism must never become a partisan exercise. As we navigate a time of extraordinary upheaval, I am incredibly gratified that the legislation I spearheaded to create a countywide Task Force to Combat Antisemitism passed with bipartisan, unanimous support.
Moreover, we must never discount the power of education as an antidote to the poisons of ignorance and hatred that infect hearts and minds. In 2022, New York state law was amended to require Holocaust education in every classroom across the state — something I believe should become a nationwide model for combating hatred against Jews, Muslims and all religious minorities. This mission has never been more urgent and compelling, and it is a challenge that we must all be ready to meet head-on.
Nassau County draws strength from its rich and beautiful tapestry of religious and cultural diversity, and as a lifelong resident, I know that we can come together to pray fervently for the safety of American service members entering this conflict, and we must embrace our shared humanity in every aspect of our lives. Together it is our duty to create a future in which our children and grandchildren can reap the benefits of a more accepting, enlightened and peaceful society.
Arnold W. Drucker represents Nassau County’s 16th Legislative District, and is the Legislature’s deputy minority leader.
