Dear Friend, 

Our soldiers are still living in a period of extreme tension with strikes across the Middle East continuing, and diplomatic discussions suspended.

In recent months, the public conversation around the war has shifted away from Iran as a source of evil supporting terrorists, its nuclear program, and its network of militant proxies, toward a narrower conversation about sanctions and economic effects of the war. This is exclusively to Iran’s advantage.

From the United States' perspective, Iran has been militarily defeated. That defeat, however, has not translated into diplomatic gains. The regime does not see the past months of fighting as an existential threat or a change to its status on the world stage. It believes there is little to lose and much to gain from an eventual agreement. Iran therefore continues to press its advantage, through precision strikes meant to ratchet up the friction while still keeping a path back to the negotiation table. The gap between the U.S. and Iran's positions has not closed and, until it does, we should expect this back and forth to continue.

Israel is not, at this moment, directly involved. But this is still very much a time of anxiety, and the current dynamics are sensitive enough that Israel could be drawn back in with little warning. And because of that, our soldiers continue to be on high alert. 

The IDF's headquarters, air force, and intelligence corps are working in overtime capacity, with reservists stretched extremely thin after nearly three years of war. As exhausted reservists rotate out of security duty in Lebanon, Gaza, Judea and Samaria, and Syria, newer active units are stepping in. They are taking on these jobs with fewer training courses. The risk is that the IDF is managing today's short-term needs at the expense of our long-term preparedness.  

This is precisely where FIDF steps in. 

Through our financial, emotional, and career support for reservists, we are helping the men and women shouldering this burden manage what it costs them at home and at work, so they can keep showing up for Israel. 

Through the new Safra v’Saifa scholarship program, we are offering a framework that will enable Haredi men to serve as combat soldiers while earning an academic degree—without compromising their religious observance.  

Finally, we are increasing our support for injured veterans. In partnership with the Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD), FIDF is building a monumental new center for veterans with traumatic brain injuries. This center is expected to open by 2030 and will become the only facility in Israel dedicated exclusively to the rehabilitation of IDF veterans with traumatic brain injuries. 

Our soldiers have carried an extraordinary weight for far too long. The least we can do is support them through this challenging period. And, every program we build today is a step toward a healthier, stronger and more rested IDF, and toward a future where Israel's guardians can stand ready without standing alone. 

With heartfelt appreciation,