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From Jerusalem to Paris: Sharing Lessons of Hope and Resilience
(Times of Israel) Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat - As the people of France grapple with the aftermath of the Paris attacks and attempt to comprehend their new reality moving forward, I would like to humbly share some advice based on our own experiences in Jerusalem: Routine, routine, routine. Immediately following terror attacks in Jerusalem, we reinstate routine in the city as quickly as possible. By restoring routine, we demonstrate the resilience of our residents and send a strong message: we will not succumb. Empower your residents. Many terror attacks in Jerusalem have been thwarted or neutralized by alert and responsible residents who took initiative and alerted security forces. Jerusalem is a large city, yet when necessary, we know how to function as an embracing community that takes responsibility for one another. Cities must encourage residents to be alert and on guard; teach citizens how to act quickly and proactively in the face of threats or attacks. Be good with the good guys and bad with the bad guys. Sharp moral clarity is critical to ensuring the safety and security of our citizens. Make a very clear distinction between residents peacefully going about their day-to-day lives and coexisting alongside the diverse populations in the city and those who aim to wreak havoc and bloodshed. The peaceful residents are our partners; we work closely with community leaders to build bridges for opportunity and advancement. However, those who cause destruction and harm, fomenting hatred and breeding incitement, will be punished with the full force of the law. Swift engagement to decrease the human toll. In Jerusalem, we have set a goal of enabling security forces to arrive at any location in the city within two minutes. This ability dramatically decreases the human toll in emergency situations. We also work to build an offensive strategy with smart solutions for combating terrorism. Terrorism is not just a Paris or Jerusalem problem. Terrorism in Paris, Jerusalem and around the globe is fueled by the same murderous hatred and extremist ideology that aims to abolish our civilization and our values. Our fight is a global one and we must stand united in this battle. Jerusalemites and Parisians share the same spirit of resilience. We mourn and feel the pain of the families who lost their loved ones, care for and support our wounded, stand tall and move forward. This must always be our answer to terrorism. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, the French nation, as you navigate these difficult waters. When we stand united and strong, we are invincible.