We hold no animosity toward the people of Gaza; rather, we feel a deep compassion for them, as our shared humanity connects us. Our criticism is directed solely at Hamas and its extremist ideology, which has influenced many Gazans to sacrifice their children's lives for a futile cause. Why can’t they simply recognize Israel's existence and work toward peaceful coexistence? Israel has never launched an unprovoked attack on Gaza; it has always been Hamas that initiated aggression. Is a singular, unified Palestinian state truly essential? Couldn’t there be a self-governing Palestinian entity under Israeli oversight? Israel might even offer various benefits and support to Palestinians if they acknowledge the rightful place of Jews in the region. Unfortunately, groups like the Muslim Brotherhood and pan-Islamic extremists have led Palestinians to see Jews as eternal enemies. At this juncture, the people of Gaza should recognize Israel as a permanent presence, dismantle Hamas, and adopt liberal democracy alongside Western principles and secularism—these alternatives are far superior to the destructive, death-focused ideology promoted by Hamas.

I don't fear death; I've faced the harsh realities of the world long enough to accept my own end. What troubles me is the thought of those jihadists celebrating over my lifeless body, reveling in their victory after brutalizing me for questioning their extreme beliefs. I refuse to go silently; I want to instill fear in these terrorists and make them feel the terror they've imposed on Non-Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Jews, atheists and all who value freedom of expression. Israel appears to understand the real solution to the persistent threats posed by Islamist extremism—a perspective sharpened by their ongoing struggles, which could guide others in navigating the nightmare now spreading across Europe, North America, Australia, India, and beyond. We've witnessed similar patterns from Paris to London and New York to Sydney: no-go zones, knife attacks, grooming gangs, synagogue bombings, and violence against those who challenge fanaticism, while authorities often remain passive. In Sweden, grenades are routinely used; in France, churches are targeted and chants of "Allahu Akbar" fill the streets; in Britain, counter-terrorism operations are frequent, yet the ideology continues to spread unchecked. On campuses, Jewish students conceal their identities as pro-Hamas rallies celebrate acts of terror. Instead of responding firmly, the free world apologizes and accommodates, offering cultural sensitivity instead of strength. Israel stands alone in refusing to follow this path of defeat. Their strategy—thorough intelligence operations against terror networks, preemptive actions to neutralize threats, robust defenses, strict laws against incitement, and a culture that prioritizes survival—has allowed this small nation to withstand surrounding enemies. They don’t wait for attacks to happen; they take decisive, proportionate action. They expose collaborators, disrupt funding, and make the penalties for terrorism unthinkably high. Imagine if the rest of the free world could adopt even a bit of that determination: viewing Islamist extremism as the totalitarian ideology it is, infiltrating radical groups, deporting inciters without lengthy processes, closing down terror-related places of worship, and presenting a united front that boldly declares, "not here, not ever." For me, this isn’t about revenge; it’s about survival, ensuring that one day, freethinkers, Jews, women and anyone targeted by this extremist ideology can walk freely without fear, while the terrorists are forced into hiding. Israel has proven it can be done. The question remains: does the free world have the courage to learn from it?

There is an old saying in the Middle East that isn't a metaphor. It is a schedule. It whispers a promise that the West refuses to hear: "First the Saturday people, then the Sunday people." For years, you were told that the rage burning across the Middle East was about borders, or maps, or the specific grievances of "Palestinians." You were told it was local. You were lied to. I saw a beautiful civilization, my own home of Iran, suffocated by this exact ideology. I know what the early stages look like because I have lived through the end result. This past weekend in Bavaria, the schedule moved forward. Five men sat in a room plotting to drive a vehicle through a crowded Christmas market. These were not desperate refugees fleeing persecution. They were three Moroccans, a Syrian, and an Egyptian imam who used the pulpit to demand blood. Their target was not an embassy or a military base. It was families drinking hot chocolate. It was children looking at lights. They did not plan this slaughter because of a settlement in the West Bank. They planned it because you are Christian, because you are secular, and because you exist. The Jewish people are simply the first line of defense in a war against civilization itself. When that line breaks, the violence does not stop. It expands. If you think you can buy safety by looking away when they come for the Jews, you are tragically mistaken. When they are done with Saturday, they are coming for Sunday. To invite this ideology into your home and call it diversity is not tolerance. It is not multiculturalism. It is a slow, agonizing suicide.