Gloucester Times (Mass.), Nov. 18:
France has shown impressive and inspiring resolve in its efforts to root out ISIS terrorists; truly it is “at war,” and it means to win.
But France also shows that it holds true to its core values of equality and freedom, and that is perhaps the most impressive quality of all.
The ISIS-planned bombings and shootings in Paris left France and its many allies around the world in shock. Terrorists methodically executed concert goers, cafe patrons and passersby in a bloody attack that was intended to terrify the population. But France responded bravely and decisively, in a manner familiar to those of us who felt the powerful message of “Boston Strong,” our rallying cry in the days following the Boston Marathon bombing.
French President Francois Hollande brought his country together in the hours after the attacks, pledging that France would wage a decisive war on ISIS. His nation’s military forces quickly made good on that threat, conducting airstrikes on ISIS targets in Syria.
But France also faced a threat familiar to Bostonians – in the wake of the attack, the whereabouts of at least one of the terrorists was unknown, and the possibility of more terrorist attacks was high.
Yesterday, French military and police forces executed a raid on an apartment in a Paris suburb, killing two terrorists and capturing others. Some 5,000 bullets are said to have been fired in the exchange. One of the terrorists – a young woman – blew herself up with a bomb-laden vest. French authorities say the wreckage of the apartment shows evidence that they had stopped another round of attacks in its tracks. But the threat of more attacks remains, as the extent of the terrorist cells is unknown.
Hollande praised the resolve of his nation yesterday, and clearly laid out what this war with ISIS is all about.
“What the terrorists were targeting was what France represents. This is what was attacked on the night of November 13th,” he said. “These barbarians targeted France’s diversity. It was the youth of France who were targeted simply because they represent life. ”
We know that to be true. We also know that France is paying a price for its willingness to join with the United States in its efforts to conduct air strikes on ISIS targets in Syria and Iraq. France is an easier target for ISIS to strike, and in the eyes of ISIS, Paris represents the “worst” of Western values.
They hate us for our freedom of thought, speech and religion. They hate us for our love of fashion, art, music and other means of cultural expression. They hate us for our tolerance of human differences and sexuality. They hate us for seeing women as the equals of men.
All this that the West holds as fundamental, Islamic fanatics see as heresy and decadence. And the cure for heresy and decadence, in their reading of the Quran, is death.
And so France is continuing its war against ISIS, redoubling its efforts.
Yet interestingly, Hollande also pledged to honor his nation’s prior commitment to accept Syrian refugees – some 30,000 over the next two years. In the wake of terrorist attacks and facing uncertainty over the extent of future threats, France tries to hold true to its values. It feels it is stronger than the threats it faces. That is inspirational.
France has long worn its love of freedom and human rights on its sleeve. Its motto – “liberty, equality, fraternity” – are words that the French people embrace. The world looks to France right now to show its leadership in the war against terrorism, and so far it has been a strong leader.
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