The West must understand that Israel’s battle against terrorism is also a defense of the values and safety of all free nations.
Philanthropy and generosity are deeply ingrained in our culture, reflecting centuries of communal compassion. Yet in times of crisis, how charities frame their appeals can sometimes be troubling. For instance, while raising funds for soldiers during a war is undeniably critical, tying unrelated domestic causes to the emotional weight of a conflict raises ethical questions.
This tendency to capitalize on current events leads to a broader conversation about how nations, too, leverage global crises to advance their narratives.
The recent car-ramming attack in New Orleans has shaken the United States. No further explanation is needed for those following the news. But these incidents present an opportunity — not to raise money but to generate understanding. They offer Israel a chance to highlight a shared experience: terror.
Terror, at its core, is fear. The thought that if a terror attack could happen on Bourbon Street on New Year’s, then it could happen in Times Square today or tomorrow, instills a deep sense of vulnerability. This is the same fear that Israelis have endured for decades. Remember those years when Israelis avoided buses due to a rash of bombings? That is terror in its most personal and pervasive form.
Israel should seize this moment to broadcast a clear message: The terror the United States is experiencing is similar to that which Israel has faced repeatedly. The war Israel is fighting is not just its own; it is the world’s war, a fight against a shared ideology of hate. The West must understand that Israel’s battle against terrorism is also a defense of the values and safety of all free nations.
The concept of mutually assured destruction (MAD) kept global adversaries in check during the Cold War. Both sides understood that escalation would lead to mutual annihilation, and neither was willing to pay that price. Today’s terrorists, however, operate under an entirely different mindset. For many, death is not a deterrent but a goal — a path to honor, glory and, in their faith, eternal reward.
This cultural difference is profound. Consider the Palestinian mothers who publicly celebrate the deaths of their sons as martyrs or the Hamas fighter who called his parents after killing 10 Israelis, eliciting tears of joy from his family. These are not isolated instances but reflections of an ideology that values death as much as life.
The lack of fear among such individuals nullifies traditional deterrence strategies. It underscores the unique and harrowing challenge that Israel faces: combating a mindset that glorifies violence and martyrdom. The West, particularly Americans, must grasp this fundamental difference to understand why Israel’s struggle resonates globally.
Israel needs to make its case to the world, particularly in moments when terrorism strikes other nations. The message is straightforward: Israel is fighting not just to protect itself but to safeguard the broader Western world. The same forces that threaten Israelis on buses, in cafes or at home are the ones inspiring fear in New Orleans and beyond.
The fight against terror is a shared endeavor. By addressing these connections during times of global tragedy, Israel can foster a deeper understanding of its plight and its role as a critical ally in the global war on terror.
The recent events in the United States are a grim reminder that terrorism knows no borders. Israel has the opportunity — and perhaps the obligation — to draw parallels between its own experiences and those of other nations now grappling with the same fears. By doing so, Israel can strengthen its ties with the West and reinforce the urgency of a united front against extremism.
Gerald Platt is a New York-based investor and president of American Friends of Likud.
