There are those who describe the events of the past few weeks as a “wave of violence” sweeping Israel. Channel 10 prefers “wave of terror.” Some consider the terror attacks throughout October a third intifada. No one knows how long it will continue, how many names will be added to the list of those killed in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and how it will end. But one thing is already clear: The forces of darkness have overcome the forces of good. Everyone is losing in the war being waged these days on Israeli city streets, except those who love land and hate people, false prophets and mindless small-time politicos.
The smallest loss is the damage to the Israeli economy. In an interview with Al-Monitor's Mazal Mualem, the president of the Israel Manufacturers Association, Shraga Brosh, described the impact of terrorism on the economy as "very significant." Economists foresee a significant drop in growth and GNP and an increase in unemployment. The price is being paid by Jewish merchants left without an income now that the stabbing attacks have emptied the malls of shoppers. The price is being paid by Palestinian citizens of Israel who are being asked to stay away from their work at schools, where they are suddenly perceived as a threat. The price is being paid by Palestinian laborers who are staying away from their places of employment at the hotels and construction sites of west Jerusalem for fear of being targeted by Jewish thugs.
