After too long a time being away from in-person meetings, Israel Bonds New Leadership Germany invited a small group to a round-table gathering.

Arnon Perlman, the Executive Director of International Sales & Operations (Europe & Latin America), was to speak about the security situation in and around Israel.  In a moment of terrible coincidence, while Arnon was in the middle of his remarks, talking about the distinction between a "general threat" and an "existential threat," we received the news of a fatal terror attack in the heart of Tel Aviv.

Some people may believe that Israel is somehow provoking these terror attacks

Some Israelis were in attendance at the meeting, and the obvious concern and sad fatigue on their faces reminded us all of the renewed threat to Israel’s population. Personal relief: those killed were not family or friends. Of course, the immense shock and sadness was felt by all – many at the meeting have friends in Tel Aviv.

With a phrase such as "Middle East conflict," and the erroneous notion of a "violence spiral," some people may believe that Israel is somehow provoking these terror attacks.  Implying that the attacks are provoked by Israel helps to spread the false narrative that enduring terror is inevitable, something the people in Israel just have to accept, and that even defending themselves is somehow part of the problem.

This terrorist attack in Tel Aviv killed three people. Tomer Morad and Eitam Magini, two friends, both in their late 20s, were simply walking around the city on Thursday night. Barak Lufen, father of three children, later succumbed to his injuries in hospital.  They have all fallen victim to this senseless, anti-Semitic hatred. May their memories be a blessing.