“Emotional reactions have had – and are likely to continue to have – little affect on terror”

As long as Palestinian Arabs refuse to take any responsibility for their condition and continue to promote themselves as victims, the glory of acting against the Jews will serve as a powerful motivator. What actually determines who will act involves understanding a number of factors that include religious, national and, most important, personal factors. Studying these factors and drawing the appropriate conclusions may take time and effort, but it will also provide a solid basis for understanding the phenomenon based on evidence and not emotion.

Shouting “all terror is the same” (it’s not) or posting “I am Israel,” will make some feel good but will have little influence on the young Palestinian Arab getting ready to take a knife or gun and use it against Israelis. Emotional reactions have had – and are likely to continue to have – little affect on terror. That’s the way it has always been and until logic, reason and evidence take over, that’s the way it is likely to continue.

Irwin J. Mansdorf, “Why Israel Gets Little Sympathy When Terrorists Strike”, The Jewish Week (17 June 2016), 37.