One of the characteristics of the current campaign against the terrorist attack that is affecting us is the role that citizens play in stopping the terrorists. Unlike previous campaigns, in which dealing with the terrorist elements was entrusted to the security forces, here the citizens are the first to come out to harm the terrorists and prevent them from achieving their goal.
However, the role of citizens is not limited to the rapid response in the event of a terrorist attack. The public is destined to play an incomparably important role in the general behavior in the face of the wave of terrorism. This aspect is even more important than the elimination of the single terrorist, because here the fate of the entire campaign is determined.
The fuel and the goal
Why do terrorists repeatedly try to carry out terrorist attacks? Why are they willing to even die if they want to harm Jews? The standard answer, that it stems from hatred of Israel, does not present the whole picture. Indeed, hatred of Israel is the fuel that drives their murderous lust, but it also has a strategic purpose.
The goal of terrorism is to sow fear and anxiety in the public, to weaken the people's resolve, and to make them feel that they have no choice but to submit to the demands of the terrorists. If the public reacts with fear, avoids going out into the streets, bars themselves behind bars, and disrupts their daily lives – this is the success of terrorism.
In this sense, each and every one of us has a vital role no less than the members of the security forces. We, through our behavior, can defeat terrorism. If we prove that terrorism does not scare us, that we go to work and school, shopping and traveling, without fear of terrorists – this is the most crushing answer to the wave of terrorism. Here our enemies will realize that they do not have the power to subdue us and terrorize us.
The truth is that terrorism creates anxiety that is many times greater than the actual threat it poses. Are we afraid to drive a car? The statistics speak of almost one death and about sixty injuries every day from car accidents. And yet we drive cars and are not filled with anxiety before every trip. The chance of being harmed by terrorism is infinitely small. It's all psychology of inflicting terror and anxiety.
Faith and confidence
Unfortunately, the media unwittingly sometimes gives the terrorists an advantage, by amplifying every act of terror, by the horrific images, by the flashy headlines. If there is a certain drop in shopping, huge headlines immediately appear about empty stores and deserted streets. Such a presentation of reality also creates reality. At such a time, the media needs to feel responsible, foster the morale of the people, and encourage them to continue with their daily lives and not be afraid.
This is the point where the entire country is a front and every citizen is a soldier. It is our duty to overcome fear, to repel the intimidation efforts of the terrorists, and to understand that taking to the streets and continuing our daily lives are the most effective weapons against terrorism, and they are what will cause it to fade, out of a feeling that it is not achieving its goal.
This is the time to strengthen our faith in God, the Protector of Israel. To be filled with confidence that He will protect and preserve us, and will not allow our enemies to harm the sheep of His pasture. We must walk in our land safely, as we read in this week's Torah portion about the command to our father Abraham: "Arise, walk in the land in its length and in its breadth, for to you I will give it." And with God's help – we will prevail!
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