Honorable President Donald J. Trump,

Don’t miss this moment—make history. Along with the many compliments you deserve for your steadfast support of the State of Israel over the years, not just in words but in historic deeds, the current reality offers you an even greater opportunity: to reshape the Middle East, change the course of history and leave a global mark of moral strength, stability and security.

Many in Israel—and among the United States’ allies around the world—consider you the best president to ever occupy the White House in terms of loyalty to alliances, understanding of threats and ability to act with surgical precision. It is not surprising, then, that expectations of you at this critical juncture are exceptionally high. Mr. President, this is not the time to wait or sit on the sidelines—this is the time to act. The ayatollahs’ threats from Iran are no longer mere rhetoric. An extremist, religious, dangerous and deranged regime aspires to become a nuclear power while financing regional and global terrorism—the patron of Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis, all of whom openly threaten to destroy Israel and harm anyone who opposes their fanatical ideology. The clock is ticking, and time is not on the side of the free world.

At this hour, when Israel has no choice but to muster its courage and act not only in self-defense but for the sake of the region and the entire world, you—as commander in chief of the American armed forces and leader of the free world—are expected to order US Central Command to act and bring about real change. You have a rare opportunity to be remembered not only as a visionary but as a leader who took decisive action. To be Winston Churchill, not Neville Chamberlain. History judges leaders not by their intentions but by their deeds. Chamberlain appeased tyrants, with catastrophic results; in contrast, Churchill and Eisenhower understood that when faced with the forces of evil, there is no room for compromise. Light must act with maximum force to overcome darkness.

Today’s fight is not about “nuclear” alone; it is about the world’s moral image. Destroying the Iranian nuclear facilities—in no more than three or four nights of targeted strikes, without deploying ground forces—could change the rules of the game: eliminate the threat, restore deterrence and send a clear message to all enemies of freedom that alliance with America is worth far more than mere declarations—it is worth action. This is not just about Israel; it is about the future of the free world.

All that is required is courage

Mr. President, history is calling you now to deliver a deathblow to the Iranian nuclear project—not only to protect Israel but to restore world order. Decisive action will strengthen the US position vis-à-vis China, bolster the moderate Sunni bloc, energize the campaign in Ukraine, and, most importantly, restore a sense of security to a free world that has lost its way and forgotten the values it represents. The choice is yours—and history awaits your decision.

This is not about open-ended involvement or all-out war. You don’t need American soldiers on the ground. All that is required is the courage to decide and the resolve to act with force, as you know how to do best. Leadership is measured by action. You can be the man who makes the difference.

Mr. President, you will not have a second chance. Do it, and history will remember you as the greatest leader of our time—one who stood unwaveringly for freedom, peace, light, and the values of the free world. I salute you.

The writer is the Former commander, Paratrooper Brigade; division commander, Division 98 and Judea and Samaria Division during the Second Intifada; commander, Home Front Command during the Second Lebanon War; deputy commander, Reserve Infantry Regiment during Operation Swords of Iron.