EDITORIAL: Israel’s attack on Iran was justified

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In bombing Iranian nuclear sites and killing its Revolutionary Guard leadership, Israel is doing what is necessary but what the international community refuses to do. 

That is to effectively counter the threat of terrorist-sponsoring Iran acquiring nuclear weapons. 

Hours before Israel’s attack, the International Atomic Energy Agency censured Iran for the first time in two decades for failing to comply with its non-proliferation obligations. 

In response, Iran proclaimed it had constructed and planned to operate a third nuclear enrichment facility. 

Israel said it acted because a nuclear-armed Iran poses an existential threat to its existence. 

While its attack and Iran’s response of firing missiles into Israel will increase Mideast tensions in the short term, the degradation of Iran’s ability to produce nuclear weapons will make the world a safer place in the long term. 

Political leaders in the world’s democracies know this, including Prime Minister Mark Carney. 

While Carney, like his predecessor, is pursuing an increasingly hostile foreign policy toward Israel, he was more restrained in commenting on the latest outbreak of hostilities, prompting a rare compliment from Canada’s Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs. 

“Iran’s nuclear program has long been a cause of grave concern, and its missile attacks across Israel threaten regional peace,” Carney said on X after taking several hours to come up with Canada’s position. 

“Today, I convened our National Security Council to receive an update on the situation and to ensure that all necessary steps will be taken to protect our nationals and our diplomatic missions in the region. 

“Canada reaffirms Israel’s right to defend itself and to ensure its security. We call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and move towards a diplomatic resolution.” 

In the real world, diplomacy with Iran is as doomed to fail as diplomacy with Hamas, Iran’s terrorist proxy in Gaza. 

As CIJA tweeted following Carney’s post: 

“Prime Minister Carney is absolutely right to call out the threat posed by Iran and to reaffirm Israel’s right to defend its people …  The Iranian regime’s drive to build a nuclear weapon must end now.” 

As Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre noted: 

“Israel has the right to defend itself — including by disarming Tehran’s genocidal nuclear program. It cannot wait until the regime has capabilities for a nuclear strike.”  

Amen.