Protection Against Terrorists? TIPS!

Right now, Israelis are suffering again from Arab terrorists whose aim is our murder and the destruction of the State of Israel. Many Israelis have been trying to put themselves in a state of lockdown hiding in their homes. I'm not.

Scene of terror attack in Pisgat Zeev neighborhood of Jerusalem on Oct 12. 13-year-old boy riding his bike critically wounded. Copyright: Israel Police

As a survivor of a terror attack, I find myself less afraid and more fatalistic. There have been terrorists who've managed to attack Jews in their own homes and communities, so hiding at home does seem rather silly.

Body of victim removed from scene of terror attack on bus in Jerusalem Copyright: GPO/Kobi Gideon

And this "wave" of Arab terror attacks is in unpredictable places, so, davka, your "safe spot" may be the next target. Nobody knows and nobody can predict it.

But there are a couple of ways to reduce your chances of being the target of the Arab terrorist. Terrorists aren't brave. They look for the weakest, most vulnerable to attack.

• If you're moving and not standing around, you're safer. That means that it may be a good time to walk and not take a bus. That is one of the reasons I walked from the String Bridge to Piccolino Restaurant, Yoel Solomon Street, Nachalat Shiva last night. I had exactly the right time needed for the lovely walk, which reduced my chance of being attacked at a bus stop.
• Being alert means no listening to music, lectures or a telephone call while outdoors. No earphones! Pay attention to everything going on around you.
• And no texting and reading while out in public. 

We need our sight and hearing to pay attention to what is going on around us. It probably isn't a good idea to listen or read on most buses, either. 

We must all sharpen our people observing skills. Besides all that the chances of being attacked by Arab terrorists is very small, even though the stories of Arab terror attacks take up a lot of news time, which it should. As I quickly weighed the wisdom of my traveling to Jerusalem yesterday, I reminded myself that Jerusalem is a very large city, OK not by NY standards, and although there had been multiple attacks of late, the vast majority of neighborhoods had none. So, I had no compunctions, no real fear about spending the night and following day in Jerusalem. 

It is a gorgeous city, and the meal in Piccolino was superb.