3 May
Osama’s Death and What it Means in the War Against Jihadism . . .
My brother Mark and I had an interesting conversation today. We spoke about the death of Osama bin Laden. And after a few minutes, Mark said to me, “I am disturbed by the jubilant atmosphere of our nation at the death of bin Laden. I have always felt that one of the key differences between Israeli and Palestinian society can be seen in how each community reacts to the death of their enemies. Israelis never party but they remain quite somber. However, whenever a terrorist attack occurs in Israel, the Palestinians can always be seen dancing in the streets.” Yes, Mark is quite correct. Mark seemed to think that many Americans seem to be acting more like the people in Gaza . . .
As I was thinking about our discussion, a famous scriptural passage came to mind.
Do not gloat when your enemy falls;
when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice,
or the Lord will see and disapprove
and turn his wrath away from him.
Proverbs 24:17-18
The above passage is an interesting one because the biblical wisdom speaks directly to the reality of our times. I for one do not think this biblical passage is talking about ALL enemies, but only the garden variety of enemies we encounter at the workplace. On a gut level, we may get some grim satisfaction in seeing another receive his or her “just desserts” Rejoicing in the downfall of an enemy more often than not serves as a motivator for the fallen man or his family and friends, to “even the score.” Bin Laden’s death should not lull us in a false state of complacency. Ergo, we must not let our guard down-regardless how jubilant we are feeling at this moment. Jihadism represents a very different kind of enemy . . .
Ten years ago, I told my congregation that even if and when Osama bin Laden is either captured or killed, his death will inspire countless other men and women to follow in his example. For this reason, transforming bin Laden into a martyr poses many serious problems for the future; perhaps it would have been better to keep him alive and use his capture as a means of gathering more information on his terrorist network.
For the victims of the 9/11, there can be a sense of closure that this chapter has been put to rest. Yet, even as we speak, the Jihadists of September 11 are vigilant in planning future attacks upon our nation. This is a time for soulful reflection.
As I mentioned earlier, Israelis react very differently whenever seeing an enemy targeted and killed. When the infamous “architect of the Holocaust” Adolf Eichmann was executed by Israel, the country maintained a stoic disposition. There could be no “celebration” especially when considering how many people this smug bureaucrat sent to their deaths. The kingdom of memory demands that we respond with soulful awareness rather than celebrate with festivities and drinks. Ultimately, the war against the Islamic Jihadists will not be won until the Muslim people put an end to a spirit of insanity that is destroying their lives.
In medicine we say, “Treat the disease, not the symptoms …” and the same principle applies here as well. Men like Osama bin Laden would hardly exist were it not for the corruption and lack of reverence for human life that exists throughout the Arab world. Perhaps the various revolutions in much of the Arab world today represent a serious psychological attempt to restore a sense of balance that has been lacking for centuries. Continue Reading
