Up until yesterday it was often said that the twentieth century ended in 1989, with the fall of the Berlin Wall. Within months the Soviet bloc disintegrated and the Cold War ended. It appeared that the world had chosen to live happily under the wings of one superpower, one culture, and one economic system. The world chose America.

Yesterday, when New York’s Twin Towers collapsed one after the other, the real opening signal for the twenty-first century was sounded. It began with a war. This time America’s enemy is not a rival superpower. The enemy is the anger, jealousy and thirst for vengeance of those left behind. The enemy is a different culture, a different ideology, a different set of values. The American victory celebration lasted for twelve years, from Berlin to Durban. Yesterday it paid the price.

Israel, which has gained quite a bit of experience with suicide-bombers, has never seen such a sophisticated, bold and lethal operation as the attack in American yesterday. The results show us how vulnerable centers of power are, not only in America, but in any country. There is no need for chemical or biological weaponry, or a pocket-sized atomic bomb. When the enemy is impervious to intelligence, and is trained and prepared to commit suicide, there is almost no way to stop it.

Yesterday, many compared this terror attack to the surprise attack by the Japanese on Pearl Harbor. In certain respects, yesterday’s attack was far worse. It hit the heart of America and its distinctive symbols of power, and it pitted America against an anonymous and faceless foe, without a known address.

If America follows its own tradition, it will return fire. President Bush’s initial reaction, which was quiet, almost pathetic, points to his inexperience rather than to the type of response he will choose.

According to the American perception, a terror attack such as yesterday’s poses an existential threat. It threatens the US’s position as a superpower, its stability and its values. Therefore, it justifies a brutal attack, which does not necessary distinguish between the guilty and the innocent. That is one of the prerogatives superpowers have.

If yesterday’s terror attack is tied to the Middle East it has serious implications for Israel. Terrorism has expanded to such a scale that the entire West cannot accept it, let alone Israel. This needs to be handled from the source.

The series of terror attacks in the US caught Arafat on his way to Damascus. His reconciliation with the Assad government is based on the two’s involvement in supporting terrorism. It is hard to be impressed by it.

The question is, whether it is not time for these two gentlemen to decide to which part of the world of nations they wish to belong. Irrespective of the question of who is responsible for these terror attacks, their horrific results oblige the West to begin an all-out war against terrorism, including a war against any country or political entity aiding terrorism. That is the message Israel will bring to the world. It appears that this time the world will listen.

Last night the ministers held a consultation in Jerusalem. Some of them demanded to take advantage of this opportunity: under cover of the terror attack in New York, to settle scores with the Palestinians. Sharon preferred not to be in such a hurry. The blow of the terror attack that America suffered is so significant, that it would be best not to take advantage of it like thieves in the night.

Thomas Friedman, the influential New York Times columnist, came to Israel this week for a working visit. In his first column from here, which was published yesterday, he said that on the eve of his departure his daughter asked him here he was going. When he told her “Israel,” she advised him not to go. She was that concerned.

Yesterday Friedman was in safe Tel Aviv, whereas his daughter was in besieged Washington. It is a small and dangerous world. It seems that terrorism, like so many other areas, is part of globalization.

This article ran in Yediot Aharonot, September 12th, 2001

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