Open Letter from Retired U.S. Military Leaders in Support of Israel on October 7 Anniversary

Today, a year after Hamas’s barbaric attack on Israel, we remember and mourn alongside Israel. However, as re􀆟red American military leaders witnessing the threats that Israel still faces from Iran’s terror network—from Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Iran itself—we also urge the United States to learn a fundamental lesson from the past year: the critical imperative to support Israel fully in not only defending itself but also defeating our common adversaries.

The war that the Iranian axis launched a year ago is not just a war against Israel, nor is it being fought only in the Middle East. Iran’s reign of terror transcends boundaries. Its drones rain down on Israel and Ukraine. Its proxies sink ships headed to Israel and Europe. Its assassins plot murder against U.S. citizens in the American homeland. And its coffers are filled with Chinese funds. October 7 is not an isolated incident, but one front in a much larger global civilizational struggle.

Iran and its terror proxies do not distinguish between Israel and the United States. They not only regularly call for the destruction of both our countries, but they have attcked, kidnapped and killed Israelis and Americans alike in the last year, as well as in years before.

Following Israel’s dismantling of Hamas’ organized military, Lebanon has become the next front in the struggle against Iran’s axis. Iran-backed Hezbollah, with the blood of hundreds of U.S. servicemembers and citizens on its hands, has driven tens of thousands of Israelis from their homes with their unceasing barrage of rockets over the past year. Now, Israel has taken the fight to Hezbollah. With American weapons and support, it is systematically degrading Hezbollah’s terror army, restoring deterrence, and dealing Iran’s strongest proxy a major blow. There should be no ceasefire un􀆟l Israel’s operations have succeeded in creating the conditions necessary for its citizens to return to their homes to live in peace and security. So, too, should the United States arm and assist Israel as it responds to Iran’s latest a􀆩ack against it.

Indeed, we have also learned another more hopeful lesson in the last year: when the United States and Israel stand together, these enemies can be deterred and defeated. We saw this on April 13 when Iran launched over 300 missiles and drones at Israel, in August when Tehran threatened another massive attack, and again on October 1 when Iran attacked Israel with hundreds of missiles. None of those threats or brazen attacks succeeded. When the United States strongly and clearly declares that it has Israel’s back, its adversaries back down.

There should be no daylight between our two countries. The United States should fully stand by Israel, including supplying it expeditiously with the critical weaponry it needs to fight this common battle against the Iranian axis in accordance with international law, at this historic 􀆟me in the region. America’s own credibility, security interests, and values are at stake.

A year after the savagery of October 7, we reaffirm our friendship and bond with the State of Israel—and urge all Americans to stand with Israel against Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, and the enemies of civilization. Israel may be on the frontlines of this civilizational fight, but it is America’s fight as well.

Gen Frank McKenzie, USMC (ret.), Commander, U.S.
Central Command
ADM Edmund P. Giambas􀆟ani, Jr., USN (ret.), Vice
Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
Gen Kevin P. Chilton, USAF (ret.) Commander, U.S.
Strategic Command
Gen James Conway, USMC (ret.), 34th Commandant of
the United States Marine Corps
GEN Frank J. Grass, USA (ret.), 27th Chief of the Na􀆟onal
Guard Bureau
ADM Jonathan W. Greenert, USN (ret.), 30th Chief of
Naval Opera􀆟ons
Gen Robert Neller, USMC (ret.), 37th Commandant of the
United States Marine Corps
ADM Paul Zukun􀅌, USCG (ret.), 25th Commandant of the
United States Coast Guard
ADM Jerome L. Johnson, USN (ret.), Vice Chief of Naval
Opera􀆟ons
Gen W.L. Nyland, USMC (ret.), Assistant Commandant of
the Marine Corps
Gen Philip M. Breedlove, USAF (ret.), Supreme Allied
Commander Europe, Commander US European Command
ADM William E. Gortney, USN (ret.), Commander, North
American Aerospace Defense Command, U.S. Northern
Command
ADM Timothy J. Kea􀆟􀆟ng, USN (ret.), Commander, U.S.
Pacific Command
Gen C.T. “Tony” Robertson, Jr., USAF (ret.), Commander,
U.S. Transporta􀆟on Command, and Commander, Air
Mobility Command
GEN David M. Rodriguez, USA (ret.), Commander, United
States Africa Command
GEN Walter L. “Skip” Sharp, USA (ret.), Commander,
United Na􀆟ons Command, ROK-United States Combined
Forces Command, and United States Forces Korea
GEN James D. Thurman, USA (ret.), Commander, United
Na􀆟ons Command, ROK-United States Combined Forces
Command, and United States Forces Korea
Gen Thomas Waldhauser, USMC (ret.), Commander,
United States Africa Command
Gen William Begert, USAF (ret.), Commander, Pacific Air
Forces, and Air Component Commander for the
Commander, U.S. Pacific Command
Gen Donald G. Cook, USAF (ret.), Commander, Air
Educa􀆟on and Training Command
Gen Hal M. Hornburg, USAF (ret.), Commander, Air
Combat Command, and Air Component
Gen Gilmary Michael Hostage III, USAF (ret.),
Commander, Air Combat Command
Gen Charles Wald, USAF (ret.), Deputy Commander of
United States European Command (EUCOM)
Lt Gen Marcus Anderson, USAF (ret.), Air Force Inspector
General
LTG John M. Bednarek, USA (ret.), Senior Defense
Official, Iraq; Chief, Office of Security Coopera􀆟on,
Baghdad
Lt Gen William Bender, USAF (ret.), U.S. Air Force Chief
Informa􀆟on Officer
VADM John Bird, USN (ret.), Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet
LtGen Arthur Blades, USMC (ret.), Deputy Chief of Staff
for Plans, Policies and Opera􀆟ons
LTG H. Steven Blum, USA (ret.), Deputy Commander, U.S.
Northern Command
Lt Gen Richard “Tex” Brown, USAF (ret.), Assistant Vice
Chief of Staff USAF
LTG Stephen Fogarty, USA (ret.), Commanding General,
U.S. Army Cyber Command
VADM Carol Po􀆩enger, USN (ret.), Deputy Chief of Staff,
Capability Development at NATO Allied Command
Transforma􀆟on
LtGen Steven Rudder, USMC (ret.), Commanding General,
United States Marine Corps Forces, Pacific
Lt Gen Mark D. Shackelford, USAF (ret.), Military Deputy,
Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for
Acquisi􀆟on
VADM Herman A. Shelanski, USN (ret.), Naval Inspector
General
LtGen George Smith, USMC (ret.), Commanding General,
I Marine Expedi􀆟onary Force
VADM Sandy Stosz, USCG (ret.), Deputy Commandant
for Mission Support
Lt Gen Thomas J. Trask, USAF (ret.), Vice Commander,
United States Special Opera􀆟ons Command
LtGen George J. Trautman, III, USMC (ret.), Deputy
Commandant for Avia􀆟on of the United States Marine
Corps
LTG Keith C. Walker, USA (ret.), Director, Army Capabili􀆟es
Integra􀆟on Center
RADM Fred L. Ames, USCG (ret.), Assistant Commandant
for Human Resources
RADM Paul Becker, USN (ret.), Director for Intelligence,
Joint Staff (J2)
Maj Gen Jack J. Ca􀆩􀆩on, Jr., USAF (ret.), Director of
Requirements, Headquarters Air Combat Command
MajGen Mark Clark, USMC (ret.), Commanding General
Marine Special Opera􀆟ons Command (MARSOC)
MajGen Jon Galline􀆫, USMC (ret.), Deputy Commander
of Marine Forces Command
MajGen Donald R. Gardner, USMC (ret.),Commander, III
Marine Expedi􀆟onary Force and Commander, 3rd Marine
Division
RADM Fred S. Golove, USCGR (ret.), Deputy Commander
(mobiliza􀆟on), U. S. Mari􀆟me Defense Zone Sector Six
Maj Gen Kenneth Israel, USAF (ret.), Assistant Deputy
Undersecretary of Defense for Airborne Reconnaissance,
and Director of the Defense Airborne Reconnaissance
Office
RADM Steven Kantrowitz, USN (ret.), Office of the Judge
Advocate General
RADM Edward Masso, USNR (ret.), Commander Navy
Personnel Command/Deputy Chief of Naval Personnel
RADM Bill McDaniel USN (ret.), Command Surgeon for
CincPac
RADM Terry McKnight, USN (ret.), Commander,
Expedi􀆟onary Strike Group 2
RADM William F. Merlin, USCG (ret.), Commander, Eighth
Coast Guard District
RADM Mark Milliken, USN (ret.), Director, Navy
Interna􀆟onal Programs Office
MG William C Moore, USA (ret.), Director for Opera􀆟ons,
Headquarters
MG Alberto C. Rosende, USA (ret.), Commanding General
of the 63rd Readiness Division
RADM Sco􀆩 Sanders, USN (ret.), Deputy Director for
Reserves, J7, Joint Staff
RADM Jeremy D. Taylor, USN (ret.), Director Naval
Avia􀆟on Plans and Requirements, Staff of CNO
MajGen Larry Taylor, USMCR (ret.), Commanding
General, 4th Marine Aircra􀅌 Wing
MajGen Kenneth W. Weir, USMCR (ret), Commanding
General 4th Marine Air Wing
BGen Michael Mulqueen, USMC (ret.), The United States
Military Entrance Processing Command
VADM William Burke, USN (ret.), Deputy Chief of Naval
Opera􀆟ons, Warfare Systems
LtGen Ronald Christmas, USMC (ret.), Deputy Chief of
Staff for Manpower & Reserve Affairs
LtGen Thomas Conant, USMC (ret.), Deputy Commander,
United States Pacific Command
VADM Michael J. Connor, USN (ret.), Commander,
United States Submarine Forces
VADM Bob Conway, USN (ret.), Commander Navy
Installa􀆟ons Command
LtGen Jon M. Davis, USMC (ret.), Deputy Commandant
Marine Corps Avia􀆟on (HQMC) Pentagon
Lt Gen David Deptula, USAF (ret.), Deputy Chief of Staff
for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance,
Headquarters Air Force
Lt Gen Eric Fiel, USAF (ret.), Commander, Air Force
Special Opera􀆟ons Command
LTG Stephen Fogarty, USA (ret.), Commanding General,
U.S. Army Cyber Command
VADM Jeffffrey Fowler, USN (ret.), 60th Superintendent,
U.S. Naval Academy
VADM Mark I. Fox, USN (ret.), Deputy Commander,
United States Central Command
LTG David Fridovich, USA (ret.), Deputy Commander,
U.S. Special Opera􀆟ons Command-USSOCOM
LtGen Kenneth Glueck, Jr., USMC (ret.), Deputy
Commandant, Combat Development and Integra􀆟on
LtGen Mike Groen, USMC (ret.), Director, Joint Ar􀆟ficial
Intelligence Center (JAIC)
Lt Gen Joseph Guastella, USAF (ret.), Deputy Chief of
Staff for Opera􀆟ons, Headquarters U.S. Air Force
LtGen Earl Hailston, USMC (ret.), Commander, U.S.
Marine Corps Forces Pacific/Commander, U.S. Marine
Corps Forces Central Command
LtGen John Jansen, USMC (ret.), Deputy Commandant
for Programs and Resources
VADM Dennis Jones, USN (ret.), Deputy Commander in
Chief, US Strategic Command
LTG Stephen Lanza, USA (ret.), Commanding General of
I Corps and Joint Base Lewis McChord
LTG Raymond Mason, USA (ret.), Deputy Chief of Staff
for Logis􀆟cs, G4 Army Staff
Lt Gen Charles May, USAF (ret.), Assistant Vice Chief of
Staff
LtGen Fred McCorkle, USMC (ret.), Deputy Commandant
Marine Corps Avia􀆟on
VADM John W. Miller, USN (ret.), Commander, United
States Fi􀅌h Fleet
LtGen Rich Mills, USMC (ret.), Commander, Marine
Forces Reserve and Commander Marine Forces North
Lt Gen Charles Moore, USAF (ret.), Deputy Commander,
U.S. Cyber Command
Lt Gen C.D. Moore II, USAF (ret.), Commander, Air Force
Life Cycle Management Center
LtGen Richard F. Natonski, USMC (ret.), Commander of
U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command
Lt Gen Chris Nowland, USAF (ret.), Deputy Chief of Staff
for Opera􀆟ons, Headquarters U.S. Air Force
Lt Gen Tad Oelstrom, USAF (ret.), Special Assistant to
the Commander Air Force Space
LTG Raymond Palumbo, USA (ret.), Director for Defense
Intelligence
Lt Gen Frank Panter, USMC (ret.), Deputy Commandant
for Installa􀆟ons and Logis􀆟cs, Headquarters Marine
Corps
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