WhatsappNetanel Jacobs was stabbed in Samaria on Monday morning. But instead of becoming another passive victim of Palestinian terrorism, he fought back.
From his hospital bed at Beilinson Hospital, Jacobs described a brutal, close-range struggle with the terrorist who attacked him. He punched and pushed his attacker, wrestled him to the ground and attempted to grab a rock to defend himself.
Even when the terrorist’s knife broke, the attack did not stop. The terrorist continued trying to stab Jacobs with the remaining blade.
Jacobs then managed to choke his attacker before the terrorist escaped toward his vehicle. Remarkably, Jacobs chased after him with a rock before finally realizing the extent of his own injuries.
He was covered in blood, with stab wounds to his head, neck and hand.
Jacobs survived and was reported in good and stable condition.
His parents, Avdiel and Penina, thanked God for what they described as both their son’s heroism and the miracles that allowed him to survive.
But they also raised the larger question Israel cannot afford to ignore: What happens after the terrorist attack?
Israel has spent decades developing sophisticated intelligence systems, elite counterterrorism units and advanced surveillance capabilities. Yet deterrence ultimately depends on convincing potential terrorists that attacking Jews carries an unbearable cost.
Jacobs’ parents called for tougher measures, including demolishing terrorists’ homes and confiscating weapons. They also pointed to the strategic importance of Jewish farms in maintaining control over open territory and creating greater distance between potential attackers and Israeli communities.
That is the larger lesson.
Netanel Jacobs demonstrated what Jewish self-defense looks like on the individual level: fight, resist and refuse to surrender.
Israel must demonstrate the same principle nationally.
Stopping the terrorist who carries out an attack is necessary.
Creating conditions in which the next terrorist is afraid to try is deterrence.
