French terrorist’s killing spree is a wake-up call for the West

Whether Mohamed Merah, a Frenchman of Algerian origin, was a lone wolf or member of a terrorist organization when he shot to death three French paratroopers, a rabbi and three children ages 4, 5 and 7, is of little importance. The sheer brutality and immorality of his actions reflect a mindset that should force the West to take notice.

Merah’s willingness to die rather than be captured by French police suggests that his indoctrination in al-Qaida’s training camps on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border created a human killing machine. There are many more Islamic extremists living in countries around the world they consider the enemy. Vigilance by governments in monitoring the activities of such individuals is required.

Indeed, after Merah was shot in the head following a gunfight with police, information about him revealed that he was on the U.S. no-fly list and was planning to travel to Costa Brava in Spain to attend a meeting of Islamic activists.

According to The Telegraph newspaper of Britain, Merah had been arrested by Afghan police in 2010 in Kandahar and handed over to U.S. troops, who put him back on a flight to France.

Why wasn’t he under strict surveillance, given his background and the fact that authorities considered him to be dangerous?

During the 32-hour standoff in Toulouse between Merah and the police, the terrorist admitted to negotiators that he had killed the paratroopers, the rabbi and the three children. He justified his brutal acts by saying he was avenging Palestinian children and protesting France’s overseas military operations.

But he wasn’t satisfied just taking the lives of the innocent victims. He selected his targets while on his scooter, and filmed the shootings with a mini-camera. According to The Telegraph, he was heard to shout “Allah Akbar” and “You killed my brothers, I kill you.”

The fatal shot to his head was an appropriate ending for an individual so consumed by hate that he had no qualms about gunning down children.

His death, however, could spur other such acts of terrorism in Europe and even in the United States.

Jund al-Khilafah, an al-Qaida front organization, claimed responsibility for the murders in France and said in a statement posted on jihadist websites, “On … March 19th, our brother Yousef the Frenchman carried out an operation that shook the foundation of the Zionist Crusaders … and filled their hearts with terror.”

The group added that Israel’s “crimes … will not go unpunished.”

Osama bin Laden dead

But it isn’t just Israel that has Islamic extremists taking up arms against the West. The killing of the world’s leading terrorist, Osama bin Laden, who orchestrated al-Qaida’s attack on America’s homeland on Sept, 11, 2001, by American Special Forces was major blow to the terrorist organization.

And the assault on al-Qaida continues, with President Obama determined to cripple the terror group. Other top al-Qaida officials have either been killed or captured, and the organization is scrambling to stay one step ahead of the Americans.

Islamic extremists have vowed revenge — and Merah’s actions in France show what sacrifices they are willing to make for their cause.

Western governments should double their efforts in identifying potential terrorists and keeping a close watch over them.