This war on terrorism is new and unfamiliar for most countries. Previously, the Western world has faced localized terrorist attacks such as those of the Algerian suicide soldiers during the French War, Japanese kamikazes in Pearl Harbor and IRA suicide bombers in Ireland and England. The attack we witnessed on September 11, 2001, and the terrorist acts carried out in everyday life in Israel are all part of a global terrorist threat that threatens our Western way of life immensely, as it involves the cruel and cold-blooded murder of innocent civilians, including women and children. I believe that the war on terrorism must be fought on all fronts and with utter dedication. Refraining from eradicating the terror organizations responsible for such violent acts will end in catastrophes, such as September 11, or worse. This war on terrorism shall not only be waged upon the actual terrorists, but also upon those supporting them in any way, whether financially, educationally or by supplying them with information and equipment.

Terrorist organizations such as al-Qaeda, Hizbullah, Hamas and the Islamic Jihad do not discriminate in regard to whom they consider the opposition. Anyone who is not following their extreme Muslim belief system is their enemy, including other Muslims who they believe do not follow their ideology faithfully. When charged, their enemies often get convicted and punished without even standing trial. As long as such terror organizations continue to flourish, the risk to our way of life as well as the freedom of expression for all cultures grows every day.

Moti Shapira,
President FalconISI