In the world we live in pirates are permitted to hijack commercial liners. In the world we live in, pirates actually exist. In our world, terrorists attack and kill innocent bystanders simply because they are there. In the world we live in, people actually condone violence, to the point of officially denying victims of the right to protect themselves. In our world, Shimon Peres, the president of the State of Israel, and a person who has done more for peace in the Middle East than any other person alive, is almost physically attacked, not in Afghanistan, not in Teheran, but in London, by Englishmen, and for what? For representing a country who’s trying to protect its citizens from vicious, continuous rocket attacks. Our world allows terrorism. Sometimes condones it.
Everyone is shocked at the unprecedented terrorist attack last night in Mumbai, India. But why are we so shocked? Is it simply because this attacked was directed at Western tourists? At least by the sites carefully selected for the attack it would seem that Western tourists were selected this time.
Last February, less than a year ago, we took a family trip to India. To Rajasthan mainly. While most of the trip was spectacular and pleasant, notwithstanding poverty and stomachaches, we did have an incident. Here it is as I wrote it back then.
“We were set to visit a mosque and a Jain religion temple at the outskirts of Jaipur. When we arrived at the vicinity of the mosque, we were “greeted” with an offer to escort us through. When I declined, the person turned from inhospitable to hostile in a minute, and then he turned to his associates and started pointing. In a split second decision which I don’t regret, I instructed my family back to the car. Ten seconds later we were gone. No mosque, church or temple are worth the feeling of discomfort and insecurity. With one look, this guy, whose name I shall never know, succeeded in intimidating every single bone in my body. So thanks, but no thanks. When I travel, I want to be welcome. At least not intimidated. This behavior is not acceptable.”
So why is it that we’re witnessing such this rise in terrorism, and even worse, acceptance by the world?
In my opinion there are two answers. The first one is obvious, the other not as much. The obvious one is the financial crisis. The less obvious one is escalation. Let me explain.
The financial crisis creates pressure on certain communities, economic pressure that is. It creates opportunity for others – in recruiting the hopeless, in promising a lot more than seventy virgins. People who have nothing to lose may be driven to crazy acts of terrorism, if a promise is made for their families to be provided for. Economic pressure creates a better environment for bribing security guards, government officials, and police officers. Economic pressure also creates a better environment for “understanding”. Peace promoters, die-hard liberals, UN officials, are all singing the same song. The song of the hopeless, and the understanding of terrorism as a last resort. Let me take a small diversion here and remind everyone that a certain people, being lead to complete annihilation by a certain other people, never resorted to terrorism.
In any case, if anyone suggests that economic recovery will eliminate terrorism, then they should either commit themselves voluntarily, or simply read history. Choice is theirs.
But this leads to the other reason. Escalation.
It was proven that a toad (yes that strange relative of the frog), when placed in a container with water slowly being heated, will not jump out even when the water reaches the boiling point. Killing itself by the inaction. When thrown into a container with water already at the boiling point, the poor toad will immediately jump out to save its life. We are toads. Permitting small acts of terrorism, negotiating with terrorists, paying ransom for hijacked ships, creates an environment where terrorism is acceptable. This is unacceptable.
As for India, and for that matter Thailand, I’m glad that we had a chance to visit. I have no desire to visit again. Given the global financial situation and the security situation in certain parts of the world, I can say again, there’s no place like home. With a certain amount of confidence, I can tell: if the economy doesn’t improve, and if we continue to accept terrorism as a reasonable way to display displeasure, we should expect more. A lot more.
[...] Economic pressure also creates a better environment for “understanding”. Peace promoters, die-hard liberals, UN officials, are all singing the same song Original post [...]