The ultimate validation of Zionism through acts of bravery and communal responsibility in a terror attack response

Douglas Altabef, Chairman of the Board of Im Tirtzu and Director of the Israel Independence Fund, reflects on the bravery of Israelis during a recent incident that many have called a miracle. The event involved a terror attack on an airplane, where Israeli passengers and crew demonstrated exceptional courage and quick thinking to prevent a disaster.

Altabef acknowledges the miraculous elements of the incident, including the captain’s decision to open the cockpit despite being stabbed and the seating arrangement that allowed passengers at the front to hear distress calls. He notes that living in Israel often requires belief in miracles, as emphasized by former Prime Minister David Ben Gurion.

However, Altabef emphasizes that divine intervention is not without expectation. He references Jewish teachings that suggest a reciprocal relationship with Hashem, where individuals are called to respond to opportunities for good. This principle is illustrated through the actions of Yaniv Hayon, a plumber who ran toward danger rather than away from it during the plane’s steep dive.

Hayon’s instinctive response highlights a distinct Israeli sensibility, one that prioritizes taking responsibility and acting in the face of danger. This contrasts with a common Western mindset that often discourages personal involvement in potentially risky situations.

Altabef points to an incident at a Central Synagogue in midtown Manhattan as a contrasting example. While security personnel subdued an attacker, other congregants did not intervene, instead fleeing or cowering. This illustrates a broader cultural difference in how communities respond to threats.

The incident involving Yaniv Hayon and others aboard the plane exemplifies a behavior that is deeply rooted in Israeli identity. It reflects a commitment to community and collective responsibility, which Altabef sees as a defining characteristic of the Israeli spirit.

This behavior aligns with biblical values of courage and responsibility, as seen in Micah 6:8, which calls for doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God. The actions of these individuals serve as a testament to the strength of character and communal solidarity that defines the Israeli experience.

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