Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon warned Sunday that Europe must intensify its anti-terror efforts if it is to combat threats like Da’esh (ISIS).
In an interview with Galei Tzahal Army Radio, Ya’alon urged the member states in the European Union to pass laws that would “enable a more effective battle against terrorism.”
The recommendation came in the wake of the multi-site mass casualty attack in Paris carried out Friday night against France by Da’esh, which cost the lives of at least 129 people. More than 350 others were wounded, including 99 who remain in critical condition. Among the wounded are U.S. and British citizens, officials said.
“The Europeans understand that there is a threat, but they have not taken the measures they could have; for example, changing the legislation to allow listening in on potential terrorists,” Ya’alon pointed out.
“The balance between security and human rights in Europe so far has been tipped in favor of human rights,” he added, “but now there is no longer a choice. From now on, more weight must be given to the considerations of security, in order to defend democracy,” he said.
Ya’alon recommended checks at the entrances to public places, and increased passport controls throughout Europe as basic security measures for officials to put into place. He also noted that it is important to “bridge the gap in Turkey” with regard to the corridor used by Da’esh (ISIS) terrorists as they pass in and out of Syria.
The route to Europe and elsewhere in the world from ISIS-held territories runs across the Syrian border directly into Turkey, and from there onward to the rest of the world.
“We are all in the same boat when it comes to fighting terrorism and defending Western civilization,” Ya’alon said.