It could happen anywhere...

By now, most people in the States who follow Israel’s news closely have read about the bomb that was found on a bus in Tel-Aviv.  Fortunately, no one was injured or killed.  For those who would like to read the article, here is the link: http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/1.564779.   A passage riding the bus noticed a suspicious looking bag without an owner, and informed the bus driver, who pulled the bus over and called the proper authorities.  When the bomb exploded, the passengers had already evacuated the bus, avoiding what could have been a much worse outcome.  Because of his actions, the bus driver was able to save lives and is being hailed as a hero. 

I’d like to juxtapose this story with a story that I have told multiple times to many people.  Just a week after the Boston Marathon bombings, Andy and I were standing in line at Port Authority, in New York, to take the bus to his internship in Connecticut, as we did often.  Because we had arrived early, I left to buy some snacks while Andy waited with our bags.  When I returned, I noticed a lone black backpack at the end of the line.  Andy had not seen who had put it down, and the few other people in line did not know to whom the bag belonged either.  Andy and I became increasingly nervous, and eventually Andy went to alert one of the Greyhound employees of the unattended black backpack.  They sent Andy back to wait with me in line, and didn’t bother to worry about anyone else in the area.  While we waited for someone to take some action, other people waiting in line looked at me sympathetically, as if they pitied me for being concerned.  When no action had been taken after a couple minutes, Andy found another Greyhound employee, who not only told him to calm down, but got defensive about the suggestion that nothing had been done.  Shortly after, a police officer came to investigate, and as he reached for the bag, a passenger sitting across the room informed him that the bag belonged to him. 

As we boarded the bus, one of the Greyhound employees told the man not to leave his luggage unattended, because he was scaring the other passengers.  While I appreciate the attempt, the reason not to leave your luggage unattended is not because it scares other people—it’s because it is indicative of foul play.  Furthermore, just one week after the Boston Marathon bombing, I should not have had to justify my fear of an unattended black backpack to apathetic passengers in line with me. 

The bus driver in Israel listened to his concerned passengers, and took the appropriate actions.  The outcome could have been much worse.  In New York, Andy and I were not taken seriously, and even told to calm down—the outcome there could have easily been tragic.  We often see signs that encourage us “if you see something, say something”, and “don’t assume it was left by accident” but that only works if the people we say something to take our concerns seriously and respond appropriately.  In New York, everyone believes that we are invincible, and that nothing will happen, but in Israel, they don’t have that luxury.  So instead, they figure out the best way to protect their citizens and ensure their safety.  If I really think about it, I feel safer in Israel than in New York, because they take threats seriously, respond appropriately, and spare no expense to protect their citizens.