FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – The Iranian missile attack against Israel caused real concern for residents in Fresno - and it could have implications for the presidential election as it happened on the same day as the Vice Presidential debate. “We utmost want the hostages released. We want an end to the violence. We'd love to see a ceasefire,” Rabbi Rick Winer said. A plea to end conflict in the Middle East came from Fresno Rabbi Rick Winer of Temple Beth Israel.  “Unfortunately, it's not a real surprise. You know, people expected this to happen on some level. We're heading into our biggest festival cycle. This is when a lot of the attacks happen,” Winer said. Iran launched nearly 180 missiles at Israel, one day before Ross Hashanah. The majority of missiles were intercepted by Israel and the United States. This marks the second missile barrage by Iran against Israel this year.  Israel-Hamas war latest: Israeli airstrikes on Palestinian territories kill dozens more “I’ve met with local Muslim and Arab leaders and we agree that there's not much that we can do about what’s happening there, but there’s a lot that we can do here. And it's our goal to keep not only the peace here, but what we’ve built over generations in Fresno,” Winer said. Local leaders are doing what they can to maintain peace in the U.S., but on the national level, Iran’s missile attack comes on the same day as the vice presidential debate.  “Given that it's happening right now, it should, it will probably take a very leading role in the debate. Could be the main defining issue of the debate,” Fresno State Political Science Professor Tom Holyoke said. What to know about Iran’s missile barrage and Israel’s ground operations in Lebanon Professor Holyoke said this attack could have major implications for the presidential race.  “It's entirely possible that a large number of votes from the Jewish people around the country who are very supportive of Israel could be determined by how they see Harris and Trump respond to what's going on over there,” Holyoke said. Holyoke also said Kamala Harris’ support for Israel could cost her in key swing states.  “If Kamala Harris loses Michigan because she loses the support of a lot of supporters of Gaza, then losing Michigan, it is entirely possible that could cost her the election,” Holyoke said. Former President Donald Trump’s recent comments on how international conflicts have been handled under the Biden administration could also resonate with voters.  Fresno experts talk impact of rhetoric in presidential race “In Israel and Gaza or over in Ukraine, he said that these things would not happen on his watch. To the extent that people believe him and remember his time in office as somewhat more peaceful than now, that could sway voters, too,” Holyoke said. Rabbi Rick ultimately hopes an end to the conflict is near.  “I just read that innocent people in Lebanon were killed by the rockets. We see this horror going on in the skies, but we continue to pray for peace here on Earth, right in the Middle East, in our community,” Winer said.