In recent years, the world has witnessed a disturbing pattern of terrorist attacks targeting public celebrations and carnivals in Western countries. From Christmas markets in Germany, France, to Jewish festivals such as Rosh Hashanah, Hanukkah, and even music events like the Ariana Grande concert in Manchester and Nova festival during October 7th in Israel—all have been transformed from gatherings of joy into scenes of terror and death by Islamic terrorists using similar methods.

These incidents are not isolated terrorism acts but part of a broad, long-term strategy orchestrated by an anti-democratic axis, primarily directed by authoritarian regimes in the East.

Just as Western democracies have sought to export their ideological framework of liberalism and democratic governance eastward and criticize the lack of freedoms in authoritarian countries, Eastern powers are countering by undermining democracy from within.

Their goal is to portray democratic societies as chaotic, divided, and dysfunctional, ultimately leading to their collapse. This strategy rests on two ideological pillars: the “psychology of grief” and “terror and societal division.” By creating persistent fear, grief, and discord, these actors aim to erode the social fabric of the West, making it vulnerable to internal collapse or external domination and occupation.

Understanding the motivations behind these attacks and the mechanisms of this anti-democratic strategy is crucial, as failing to counter it could lead to civil unrest, the weakening of state structures, or even World War III.

The Pattern of Attacks on Celebrations

Just as in 1979 in Iran, Shia Islamist clergy attacked ancient Nowruz celebrations and music performances, issuing fatwas declaring them haram, similar attacks on celebrations have been promoted in the West.

Over the past decade, terrorist attacks have increasingly targeted festivity symbols and collective unity in Western societies. In December 2016, a truck plowed into a Christmas market in Berlin, Germany, killing 12 people and injuring dozens. In a similar event in Strasbourg, France, in 2018, a gunman attacked a Christmas market, resulting in several deaths. In December 2024, a similar attack occurred again in Magdeburg, Germany. Dozens of such plots have been foiled before they could be committed.

These are not random terrorist events, they target the heart of celebrations where families and communities gather for joy. Jewish festivals have also been targeted: On October 27, 2018, a synagogue in Pittsburgh was attacked during Shabbat services, killing 11 and wounding 7 others; a knife attack in Monsey, New York, in 2019; an attack on a synagogue in Manchester in 2025; or the most recent one targeting Hanukkah celebrations in December 2025 on Bondi Beach, Australia.

Even non-religious events have not been spared. The bombing at the Manchester Arena in 2017 during an Ariana Grande concert killed 22 people, while the Nova........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)