For Israelis, terrorism is part of life

By Paul Goldman , NBC News Producer

TEL AVIV ? Ten years ago Americans woke up to a new reality and discovered that terror can hit within.

Here in Israel that same reality is a way of life. People here grow up living and hearing about bomb explosions, suicide bombers and terrorists trying to infiltrate the country.

It was just about three weeks ago that terrorists crossed the Egyptian border with Israel near the vacation town of Eilat. They killed eight Israeli civilians, including a couple who were driving their car and were shot at close range. A small al-Qaida- linked group based in Gaza praised the attack saying the attack sends a message against ?the enemies of God.?

It's this reality that caused lots of Israelis to be very happy when they heard that the U.S. killed Bin Laden.

Hai Shaulian is a 44-year-old Israeli who works in real estate. ?I feel now that the world is a safer place for my children. The U.S has woken up against the bad people out there.?

When you speak with people on the streets of Tel Aviv, it?s clear that they have become accustomed to living with the constant threat of attack.?

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?Here in Israel we had a lot of terror before 9/11, so we have experience with it,? said Adiv Cohen, a 28-year-old architect. ?People in the world can now understand what we go through and feel.?

Tomer Helsgoff, a 29-year-old graphic designer, believes that the attack made people more aware of potential danger.

?I think that now people around the world are much more afraid and suspicious. For me as an ex-Israeli soldier we feel the danger in the air,? said Helsgoff. He added that people always need to be cautious of their surroundings. ?You need to always be ready that something will go off, that something will happen. You live under terror all your life.??

Yael Yosefi, is an 18-year-old who will be joining the Israeli Army soon. For him, the attacks are a constant reminder that the world is full of dangers. ?People realize now that the world is a frightening place, I?m scared to be on buses and on the street.?

But in a strange way, the 9/11 attack seemed to strengthen even further the bond between Israelis and Americans.

?We feel very connected with America, we think that anything that happens in the U.S has an effect on us and vice versa,? said Yosefi.

?I think America showed the world that there are still rules. If you strike us we strike harder and that is what Israel tries to do,? said Helsgoff.

Source: http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/09/09/7688883-for-israelis-terrorism-is-part-of-life

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