10 June 2026
Today after work, the town of Nahariya spent the afternoon at the beach. Adults were smearing sunscreen, teens were riding motorized surfboards across the calm blue waters of the Med, and toddlers were painting their faces with watermelon. It was a celebration of the moment—a collective exhale. Because just two days earlier, we had all rushed into bomb shelters and agonized over the barrage of Iranian missiles flying overhead. Is this really how another school year will end in Israel? The authorities canceled the baccalaureate exams, children returned to Zoom classrooms, and high school seniors brooded over the imminent trade of caps and gowns for camouflage fatigues and combat boots.
But even before the sudden Iranian attack — itself a response to the IDF strike in Beirut — the north had not been enjoying the ceasefire that much of the country experienced. Bibi and Hezbollah seem locked in a cycle they can’t quit, and some northerners want the conflict escalated even further. They believe Trump is restraining Bibi from “finishing the job,” as if Bibi had succeeded in wiping out Hamas in Gaza.
Bibi continues to boast about Israel’s military achievements — sound familiar? — but few here believe Israel has truly “won” on any front. As a result, his support has eroded dramatically. Trump recently used the F‑word about him (twice), and Israelis use it even more. A recent IDI survey shows that 61% of Israelis think Bibi should not run for re‑election, and even 25% of right‑wing voters say it’s time for him to step aside.
Living in a country of “forever wars” takes its toll, especially when few believe Hamas or Hezbollah will ever surrender, or that Iran will abandon its nuclear ambitions. Only a small minority is talking seriously about diplomacy or political accommodation, even though our peace treaties with Egypt and Jordan continue to hold and offer a model worth emulating.
This reality has led many Israelis to contemplate a “Plan B” — an escape hatch from the endless conflict. Another survey found that 42% of left‑leaning Israelis say they are “willing to consider leaving Israel” if the current political bloc is re‑elected in October.
We, too, worry about the forever wars and have created our own Plan B. Last week, we bought an apartment in Piraeus that grants us full residency rights in Greece — meaning we won’t be limited by a three‑month visa. We’ll rent it out, perhaps indefinitely, as an investment. But it also gives us a nearby safety valve, a place we could go if life here becomes untenable. (Are we really continuing the great tradition of wandering Jews?)
We are not leaving Israel — certainly not beautiful Nahariya — because we still have hope. We believe Bibi can be defeated in the October election, even though he is already maneuvering to undermine a free and democratic vote. But the Supreme Court and the heroic Attorney General (a woman!) have held firm, and we believe the forces of democracy will prevail.
If you want something to worry about in Israel’s medium‑term future, consider the rise of the fanatical Orthodox. But that’s a topic for another day.
For now, I’m planning my own beach day tomorrow.