If there’s one condolence after a terror attack it’s solidarity. As a nation tries to overcome the shock and gather the pieces the individuals who call it “home” let go all personal differences and help each other get through the tragedy. Some help clear the wreckage, some rush people to the hospital, some simply offer a hug, and for a short while – a cluster of political views and different opinions becomes one.
What’s even more heartwarming is how, as geographic and cultural boundaries become more blurry in our virtual global village, calls of support rise from all around the world. And now, less than a year after #ImCharlieHebdo, we all #StandWithParis, who is a victim of yet another horrible terror attack led by extreme Islamists, looking to fight the “western culture” at all cause.
Sadly, this beautiful global wave of solidarity was a short one, as sooner than later haters seized the opportunity. On Saturday morning, Mary Hughes-Thompson , co-founder of the Free Gaza movement, raised the possibility that Israel was behind the deadly attacks that hit Paris on Friday night and killed 120 people. She tweeted: “I haven't accused Israel of involvement. Still, Bibi (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu) is upset about the European settlement boycott. So who knows.”
She’s not the only one. Social media filled with speculations, trying to pin the attack on Israel. They were joined by those who believe this attack is the fault of “the Jews,” who reside in Paris, and drew the Islamic terror there. After the revelation that the attackers probably chose the Bataclan Theater because it was owned by Jews, these accusations became louder.
These accusations raises one question: how many more people would have to die before the anticipated “wake up call?” With every terror attack, we think “this is it. Now the Western World will unite against terror.” But time and time again we all face disappointment with various “justifications.” So no, they’re not just after Jews, or just after cartoonists – they’re after us all. It’s also not all Muslims, but Islamic extremists, and they need to be fought. There’s too much blood for our leaders to put another Band-Aid.
We can no longer be blinded by excuses and prejudice. As the sane majority of the world, we must unite against terror, and not only when it’s convenient or involves us directly. We are all targets of the global Jihad, even if it doesn’t seem like it now. In the age of social media, standing up to or for something or someone is a few mouse-clicks away. It takes little effort, but can make a big change.
Hillel Neuer, Executive Director of UN Watch, once wrote:
“First they came for the Infidel Muslims, and I did not speak out – because I was not a Muslim.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out – because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the satirical novelists, and I did not speak out – because I was not a novelist.
Then they came for the Dutch filmmakers, and I did not speak out – because I was not a filmmaker.
Then they came for the Danish cartoonist, and I did not speak out – because I was not a cartoonist.
Then they came for the Iraqi Christians, and I did not speak out – because I was not an Iraqi Christian.
Then they came for the Yazidis, and I did not speak out – because I was not a Yazidi.
Then they came for me – and there was no one left to speak for me.”
We can create the best of explanations of why this mega terror attack, which took the lives of so many, was not them coming for “me.” We can find the “real target” or the “real reason,” but it would be nothing but a temporary numbness before the next time. We must pressure our leaders to take action with a well-thought, worldwide plan. We must speak for one another, even if we’re not the current victims, because we are all the next target.
