EU must stand as an entity bound together in defence of freedom
While France went into lockdown, Europe
searched for a reason why such a cowardly and barbaric attack took place in Paris, the cultural epicentre of our venerated union of like-minded, democratic espousing people.
Doubtless every right-wing politician, Fascist and Neo Nazi crypto or otherwise stood up, pointed at their TV screens and shouted “this is what we warned about”, “this is what we said”, “ISIS has sent their warriors to destroy Europe”.
Their claims are most probably reverberating around moderate and supportive circles now with a definite shift in opinion towards the refugee crisis.
Among those of us who supported the arrival of Syrian refugees fleeing the horror of war there is silence.
Silence because we do not know what to say because perhaps deep down inside we now know that one of the attackers, Ahmad Al Mohammad, a Syrian passport holder, entered Europe through the Greek Island of Leros and on to France.
Strangely, he travelled unhindered in Europe before arriving in his final destination, the Bataclan theatre in Paris, where he blew himself up. France declared a state of emergency while President Hollande declared the attacks as an ‘Act of War’.
Every arm of the security apparatus was mobilised to catch the perpetrators and bring them to justice for an attack on the French Republic, the cradle of European freedom.
On Monday, Salah Abdeslam was arrested in the Belgian suburb of Molenbeek. He is said to have been born and lived in Belgium, although French police have described him as a French national.
His brother Ibrahim was the terrorist behind the suicide attack at Comptoir Voltaire café.
While the Belgians and ultimately the French deal with Abdelslam, it is up to Europe to decide what the next steps are in terms of protecting the Union and its citizens from further attacks.
European nations including France have committed to fighting ISIS and crushing them in Syria and Iraq. Why? Because ISIS are an existential threat to the entire European Union.
Schengen is already under threat with member states closing borders and now refusing to take refugees. These actions and disagreements are not simply because of fears about lack of space in towns and cities or resources to support refugees.
Nor is it only about xenophobia, which sadly exists in Europe. It is about a real and present risk of a terrorist attack, carried out by ISIS jihadists hiding among genuine refugees.
Refugees whose very presence in Europe was determined 12 years ago by the so-called ‘War on Terror’. Citizens in Europe now live in fear of further attacks. Why wouldn’t they? Weren’t the threats already made of more to come?
Is it safe to get onto a flight?
Is it ok to go to Paris this weekend or take the London Underground? Are cities like Dublin, Helsinki and Lisbon safe? Should we be worried about our neighbour’s religious beliefs or political gesticulation? I have no doubt in my mind that people are asking these questions.
It is highly likely that we have not seen the end of these attacks, but as with all wars, life must go on, we must go to our jobs, take the bus or metro, send children to school and do what we always have done, that is to live.
To do anything less would be tantamount to letting the terrorists win and we must never do this.
We must stand resolute as one indelible, united European citizenry with the future of our Union and all it stands for at heart.
We must not let this tragedy destroy what we have built or change how we treat other people, in particular those who are suffering.
If anything, the Paris attacks must strengthen our resolve as a people to move forward and protect the principles of Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité.
Martin Luther King Jr once said: “The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people.” Europe must not be silenced by the tyranny of evil and the actions of few.
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