CTeenConnection

On the night of November 13, ISIS launched a series of terrorist attacks across Paris, slaughtering over one hundred innocent civilians, in what amounted to be the deadliest terror attack Western Europe has endured in more than ten years.

With terror and assault increasingly on the rise, the Western World is finally beginning to wake up again to the true threat of terrorism. The danger is palpable, and our future, our planet’s future, depends on its eradication. Several world leaders were quick to denounce these horrifying events, including US President Barack Obama, as he declared, “Once again we’ve seen an outrageous attempt to terrorize innocent civilians. This is an attack not just on Paris, it’s an attack not just on the people of France, but this is an attack on all of humanity and the universal values that we share.”

But while Western leadership and its peoples are seemingly aware of the present risk, the constant atmosphere of terror in Israel somehow remains less meaningful to them.

Israel has endured, and continues to endure, violent attacks, at a greater frequency and for substantially more time than other modern nations. For generations, Israel has been a central target of terrorism in the world. Not only is terror present in Israel, it runs rampant. Attacks occur at an alarming rate, leaving many casualties in their wake. Why, then, have these attacks never engendered a similar global response with respect to Israel? Where is the categorical condemnation of evil? The cries of outrage and injustice? The clamor of presidents and prime-ministers, shouting for the destruction of terrorism?  

Why is everyone so ambiguous – or silent?

Do Jewish lives not matter?

Coal miners faced the threat of death every day from toxic gasses deep in the earth. A small canary would therefore be carried along with them, and when the canary’s sweet sounds could no longer be heard, it was a sign to get to fresh air immediately or die a poisonous death.

Israel is the world’s canary. Ever threatened by the toxicity of terrorism, its battles are a warning sign to the rest of us. And if our leaders do not heed those warnings, ISIS will not be the last poison they will need to fight in order to protect civilization.

The sooner the air is cleared, the sooner all will be able to proceed in mining and utilizing this world for all its G-d-given potential and beauty.