Barkat: Separation in Brussels, Jerusalem not answer to terrorism

"Instead, we must work to create global comprehensive forces to fight radical Islam," mayor says at AIPAC convention.

By DANIEL K. EISENBUD
Updated: MARCH 24, 2016 14:41
Nir Barkat (photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)
Nir Barkat
(photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)
“Anyone who thinks that the division of Jerusalem, or a withdrawal from neighborhoods in Brussels, is a solution to terrorism is wrong and misguided,” said Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat Tuesday night, while attending the AIPAC convention in Washington D.C..
Barkat, who is on an official visit in the US and the annual convention, contended that terrorism in Jerusalem, Brussels, and Paris is a global problem – “a problem that withdrawal will not solve.”
“Instead, we must work to create global comprehensive forces to fight radical Islam – the sooner the better,” he said.
“The best response to terror is to return to normal life,” Barkat continued. “Brussels should return to everyday routine, and quickly. This is the best response to terrorism. Open up public transportation, resume flights, and return to day to day life.”
Moreover, Barkat said it is imperative that “those who support terror must pay a heavy price.”
“We must develop an aggressive, international force to fight terror,” he said. “After the terrorist attacks [in France], the Jerusalem chief of police and I travelled to Paris to help and share the lessons from our experience.”
Those lessons, he said, include: “Be good with the good guys and bad with the bad guys, and work to develop quality intelligence from cutting-edge technology and by leveraging our human capital.”
“Our strategy to defeat terror must be ruthless,” Barkat added. “Those who show compassion pay a heavy price.”
The mayor’s comments about not dividing Jerusalem come amid calls from Opposition leader and Zionist Union head Isaac Herzog to fence off Arabs from Jews in the capital following the now six-month terror wave.
Since October, Palestinian terrorist attacks have killed 28 Israelis and two US citizens. Israeli forces have killed at least 187 Palestinian assailants.
According to Barkat, changing the unified model of the city that has been upheld since the 1967 War would effectively be a form of capitulation to terrorists.