Suddenly, the world discovers that even in the tranquility of New England, a city with no “occupation forces” or roadblocks, Muslim jihadists blow up innocent children. The victims were simple citizens, whose only crime was being on the wrong side of the global map. From the viewpoint of radical Islam, anything outside of its realm becomes a target for wholesale slaughter. These extremists see murder as a justifiable means to an end and a way of life, and it makes no difference whether we’re talking about Tel Aviv or Boston.
Translated by Michoel Leib Dobry
It’s been only six weeks since the President of the United States, Barack Hussein Obama, came to Eretz Yisroel and proclaimed that he places great importance upon the establishment of an Islamic state in the heart of the Jewish homeland r”l, as the sound of explosions once again began to reverberate. This time, however, the explosions were taking place in America. The tranquil city of Boston, Massachusetts, typical of the soft underbelly of the United States, turned into a scene of murder and mayhem, as Islamic terror struck without mercy. This time, it seems to be a case of a couple of “lone wolves” with no direct connection to any group or organization. They were apparently brainwashed by the poisonous messages of extremist Islam. American citizens are now paying the heavy price of Islamic control over the minds of impressionable young people, who suddenly become dangerous terrorists.
For more than thirty years, the political left has been preaching to us that the Arab terrorist attacks committed throughout Eretz Yisroel are the direct result of the “occupation.” If only we would withdraw from the liberated territories, peace would come immediately and Eretz Yisroel would be transformed into another Scandinavia or Switzerland. Every brutal terrorist attack that takes a heavy toll in casualties give the left-wingers another incentive to engage in their brainwashing operations, pressuring Israeli politicians to charge towards another agreement along the slippery slope of territorial concessions.
Thus, the world suddenly discovers that even in the tranquility of New England, a city with no occupation forces or roadblocks, Muslim jihadists blow up innocent children. The victims were simple citizens, whose only crime was being on the wrong side of the global map. From the viewpoint of radical Islam, anything outside of its realm becomes a target for wholesale slaughter. These extremists see murder as a justifiable means to an end and a way of life, and it makes no difference whether we’re talking about Tel Aviv or Boston.
After the Boston Marathon attacks, two Moslem brothers, citizens of Chechnya, were identified as the perpetrators. They had been staying in the United States legally, and they were reportedly planning a major terrorist bombing on the railroad line between New York City and Canada. Yet, this was not a case of an attack on an occupying army, rather another maniacal Islamic terrorist cell feeding on blind hatred.
The United States is now learning the hard way about the problems faced by its chief ally in the Middle East. Over the years, the government of Israel has tried to convey to the world how its children are afraid to play in the streets. This is how we live and always have. Long before the proclamation of the modern Jewish state, Jews in Eretz Yisroel were murdered simply because they were Jews. The pogroms of 5689 (Tarpat) did not occur because of a military occupation, nor did the Fedayeen attacks during the fifties.
Radical Islam educates its disciples in murder and hatred – against the whole world and particularly towards Jews. As stated in the teaching often quoted by the Rebbe, “It is a well-known tradition that Eisav hates Yaakov.” The Arabs translate their murderous culture into the deep hatred they have for Israel. Maybe now someone from outside Eretz Yisroel will finally understand that the settlements are not the problem.
THE SENATE SENDS A WARNING SIGN TO IRAN
All this is happening as the possibility of military action against Iran is being considered far more seriously than ever before. The international community has never been as pessimistic over the option to remain diplomatic regarding Iran as is it today. Perhaps the terrorist attack in Boston will be a sign for the policymakers in Washington to come to the realization at long last that radical Islam’s growing domination is the greatest threat to reason and sanity in the Middle East region.
Throughout the years, the political leaders in Eretz Yisroel have tried to show the world that the Iranian menace is not only the problem of the Jewish state. However, the international community really hasn’t gone out of its way to put an end to this hazard. During the last decade, Iran has advanced its uranium enrichment program, and reports indicate that they are closer than ever before to the development of a nuclear weapon. The government in Eretz Yisroel has persistently declared that the free world cannot live with a nuclear Iran. Yet, the world remains skeptical and lets the Israelis do all the dirty work.
Recently, it has appeared that the world at-large has begun to understand that the Iranian threat is not just an Israeli problem. During the previous week, U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel visited Eretz Yisroel for a meeting with the defense minister, Moshe (Bogey) Ya’alon. Media reports noted that the discussions concentrated on the Iranian issue, and the United States promised to give fighter jets and other war materials to Eretz Yisroel.
Secretary of Defense Hagel’s visit was a clear sign to Iran, perhaps even a significant milestone towards possible military action against the Islamic republic. Hagel’s verbal commitments join an official resolution of the United States Senate passed last week, declaring that the United States will stand alongside Eretz Yisroel against any Iranian attack. According to the resolution passed by the Senate, the United States will supply Eretz Yisroel with weapons and ammunition as required, buttressed by diplomatic backing on the international front in the event of an Iranian attack.
The Senate’s action represents a significant step towards Eretz Yisroel’s independence in relation to its security and possible military operations against Iran. This is most noteworthy, especially since the Senate is controlled by Mr. Obama’s Democratic Party, not known at present for its sympathy and understanding towards the Jewish state. In contrast, the Republican Party and its majority in the House of Representatives has remained genuinely supportive of Eretz Yisroel, and GOP leaders continue to proclaim that Israel has the inherent right of self-defense, even at the cost of war with Iran. Here, we see once again that the ability of Israeli leaders to enlist U.S. support exists only when the government in Yerushalayim speaks with a clear voice and doesn’t falter in proclaiming its duty to defend itself.
As the Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach explained on numerous occasions, America is a country of great kindness and it wants to help Eretz Yisroel. It only requires that the political leadership in the Holy Land know how to demand its rights without hesitation as an independent sovereign nation – not some puppet state placing its security in the hands of others. The Rebbe often stated that a strong Eretz Yisroel is in the vital interests of the United States, which needs a firm and reliable ally in the Middle East against the twenty-two Arab countries detached from the world of freedom and democracy.
In recent years, we have seen that with all the Arab revolutions engulfing the Middle East, the United States has revealed how much they need a strong Eretz Yisroel. The dictatorial regimes throughout the region are buckling one after another, yet the staunch U.S. ally remains solid.
In the battle against Islamic world hegemony, Eretz Yisroel has an important role extending beyond the Middle East region. In the last few years, the Moslem threat has become the most serious problem facing the enlightened Western world, now dealing with a new wave of jihad terror. The free world already realizes that the Arabs’ culture of bloodshed makes no distinction between Yerushalayim and Manhattan, and there is only one way to put a halt to the Islamic threat – and it’s not through bootlicking, concessions, and surrender.
DEATH TO TERRORISTS – IN BEANTOWN
The political leadership in Eretz Yisroel now has a chance to take advantage of this delicate situation created in recent weeks and enlist the assistance of the international community in the war on terror. The window of opportunity resulting from the marathon bombing can now have an effect upon every American citizen. This can help them understand that the terrorism they heard about for years existing in Tel Aviv is the very same terrorism that they just saw taking place before their very eyes in Boston. Twenty years ago after the initial attempt to bomb the World Trade Center, the Americans declared their steadfast position in the battle against terrorism, providing Eretz Yisroel with a wide-ranging security network for its defense operations. Similarly, we must take advantage of the world’s newly acquired insight into Islamic terror with a public relations campaign designed to achieve greater influence over the minds and hearts of the world at-large.
If the prime minister’s predicted scenarios prove accurate and time is beginning to run out on the military option against Iran, Israeli information services have the duty, albeit painful and tragic, to explain to the world how a sovereign nation is compelled to defend itself.
Last week, the Boston Police Department taught us all an excellent lesson on how to wage a just and proper war against terrorism. Immediately after the surviving terrorist had been captured, the police announced that it would seek a harsh indictment against him and demand the death penalty, as soon as the FBI completed its investigation into the bombing. The police also announced that it would invoke a “public safety exception,” waiving the Miranda requirement that defendants be told their rights, including that they can remain silent and have an attorney. It will be interesting to see whether they internalize this approach in Eretz Yisroel as well, and conduct themselves towards these murdering terrorists in the appropriate manner.