Hussites/Photo: open source
On the night of 20 March 2025, Israel was once again in the crosshairs: Yemeni Houthis armed with Iranian ballistic missiles made another attempt to attack civilian infrastructure near Tel Aviv. Thanks to the Arrow system, one of the most advanced in the world, the missile was intercepted in the sky, avoiding a tragedy. This episode is not just another line in the chronicle of the Middle East conflict, but a wake-up call to all who value stability and democracy. Israel is at the forefront of the fight against terror, and the world cannot afford to look away.
The Houthis, who have become one of Iran’s key tools in its hybrid war against Israel in recent years, are unstoppable. Their attacks are not chaotic attacks, but a well-thought-out strategy aimed at intimidating the civilian population and undermining the country’s economic stability. In February of this year, a Houthi drone hit an industrial area in Haifa, causing damage to infrastructure. In December 2024, a rocket started a fire in a Tel Aviv suburb, forcing thousands of people to seek shelter. Behind each of these attacks is Tehran, which uses the Houthis as puppets in its game for regional hegemony. Israel, however, is not just defending itself – it is fighting back, demonstrating a spirit and technological superiority that impresses even its allies.
The Arrow system, which has saved lives once again, is not just a shield, but a symbol of Israeli determination. While the Houthis are wreaking havoc, Israel is building for the future by investing in science, security and the protection of its citizens. This struggle goes far beyond the borders of one country. Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East, an island of freedom in a region dominated by autocracies and extremism. Its enemies – the Houthis, Hezbollah, Hamas – do not just threaten Israel, they challenge the values on which the free world rests: the right to life, liberty and security.
These events are of particular importance to Ukraine. We know what it means to live under the threat of missile attacks when the aggressor seeks to destroy your statehood. Russian Shahids over Kyiv and Houthi missiles over Tel Aviv are different manifestations of the same disease: the desire of authoritarian regimes to break the will of those who have chosen freedom. Just as Ukraine is fighting for its existence against Russia, so is Israel against Iran and its proxies. And just as Ukraine needs the support of the West, Israel deserves solidarity in this unequal struggle.
The international response, however, leaves much to be desired. Condemnation of Houthi attacks is heard regularly, but words without action are empty. Iran, the main sponsor of terror in the region, evades real responsibility. Sanctions against it are weakening, and the flow of weapons to the Houthis continues unabated. Meanwhile, Israel is forced to repel attacks on its own, spending resources that could be spent on education, medicine or innovation. World leaders need to realise that if Israel falls, it will be a triumph not only for Tehran, but for all those who dream of a world without democracy.
What needs to be done? First, we need to increase pressure on Iran: new sanctions, asset freezes, and international isolation. Secondly, to provide Israel with greater military and technological support – its success in missile defence can be a lesson for all those facing ballistic threats. Finally, the West must send a clear message: Israel is not alone. Its struggle is our struggle.
On 20 March 2025, Israel proved once again that it is capable of defending itself. But every intercepted missile is also a call to the world: don’t leave us alone. Supporting Israel is not just a gesture of goodwill, but an investment in a safer future for all of us. The time to choose a side has come – and it must be the side of freedom.
Author: Marianna Nyzhnia
