Wondering How to Stop ‘Lone Wolf’ Terrorism? PM Says ‘Come to Israel’

PM Netyanyahu and ISA Director Nadav Argaman. Photo courtesy of Kobi Gideon / GPO

The same day a gunman killed a police officer in the heart of Paris in an apparent terror attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered a solution to nations wondering how to stop the growing plague of solitary terrorists. He pointed to the efforts of the Israel Security Agency. “I must tell you that the entire world is impressed because this problem has already spread to many countries,” said Netanyahu on Thursday in comments from his office. “You ask, ‘How is it possible to deal with lone attackers who are incited by the same forces?’ And you tell them, ‘Come to Israel.’”

Netanyahu praised the actions of the ISA—not all of which is public—that have helped the Jewish State limit the impact of a surge in what some call “lone wolf” terror attacks over the last couple years. “We know, I know and, to a certain degree, the public knows your contribution in lowering the attack curve, in providing security, and in giving and saving life,” said the Israeli leader during a visit with the ISA. “This is only a small part of what you do, which entails considerable innovation.”

ISA Director Nadav Argaman, in comments from the same press release, noted the unending fight to protect Israel. “The campaign that we oversee plays out daily, in complex arenas, under myriad threats that recur without respite. This requires us to be constantly prepared to fight in secret, anytime and anywhere necessary,” said Argaman. “The service is charged with this effort and there is no option but to win this war every day.”

Netanyahu also highlighted the use of social networks online in the new model of terror. “Over the past 18 months we have been subjected to a new assault by an old hatred, via Facebook and information networks in order to cause hatred and spur people to stab, run over and murder,” he said. “On behalf of the people of Israel, I would like to take my hat off to you [the ISA], because you play a great part in repelling these attacks, in saving lives.”

And while Netanyahu noted that other nations can learn from Israel, Argaman said they can help Israel too.

“We will continue to act in cooperation with our comrades in arms—ISA personnel throughout their generations and our colleagues in the intelligence community, from the country and from around the world,” said the ISA director.

“Together we will aspire to impressive achievements in the face of the challenges and we will lead counter-terrorism and counter-espionage on behalf of the State of Israel and its inhabitants with professionalism, determination, pride and a humble awareness.”

(By Joshua Spurlock, www.themideastupdate.com, April 20, 2017)

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