What do terrorists look like?

This account by an Israeli commando is getting wide play online today: On Thursday, S. sat down with The Jerusalem Post at the Shayetet’s base in northern Israel for an exclusive interview, during which he described the dramatic events aboard the Mavi Marmara on Monday; he is being considered for a medal of valor. “When ...

This account by an Israeli commando is getting wide play online today:

This account by an Israeli commando is getting wide play online today:

On Thursday, S. sat down with The Jerusalem Post at the Shayetet’s base in northern Israel for an exclusive interview, during which he described the dramatic events aboard the Mavi Marmara on Monday; he is being considered for a medal of valor. “When I hit the deck, I was immediately attacked by people with bats, metal pipes and axes,” S. told the Post.

“These were without a doubt terrorists. I could see the murderous rage in their eyes and that they were coming to kill us.”

Two points here. One, were they really terrorists? I don’t sympathize with the agenda or the methods of the Turkish Islamists who fought with the Israeli troops, but their actions don’t fit the conventional definition of terrorism — using violence against civilians to advance political goals. Second, can you really tell if someone is a terrorist by the look in their eyes? You can certainly tell if they are angry, but I’d imagine the best terrorists are pretty good at blending into society.

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