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State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared himself the caliph of all Muslims worldwide. Establishing a caliphate makes it possible to realize the classic Muslim objective of turning the entire world over to Islam, which, according to Muslim law, can only happen when there is a caliph to preside over it. This goal requires, first and foremost, a war between Islamic State and the regimes it considers heretical. This includes Shiites and Alawites, like in Iraq or Syria, but also Nigeria which is controlled by a Christian leader, and in parts of Sunni Libya. It also justifies jihad attacks against any Muslim regime, whose mandate expired once a caliph was in place, according to Shariah.

The next step is to put the rest of the world under Islamic control, with a special focus on Europe. Islamic State has already declared Rome to be its main objective and is planning to use Libya as the gateway to Europe, by flooding it with half a million immigrants by sea and creating a threat of an immediate humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean Sea. Another method is to carry out attacks like the recent shooting at Copenhagen’s main synagogue — one morning a European Muslim loyal to the caliph wakes up, picks up a rifle and begins murdering people without distinction. The ease of access to weapons for the lone individual makes the problem even more difficult to solve.

The consequences for Israel and Jewish people are no less than fateful. First, Islamic State, and the groups whose ideologies are in line with it, even if they have not pledged their loyalty to al-Baghdadi, are liable to turn the region east of Israel into an extremist Islamist arena. Secondly, since the Jews are seen as Islam’s favored enemy, they will be a major target. It is imperative to understand that the current policy of striking Islamic State from the air is bound to fail: The group has learned to absorb these airstrikes, and their conquest of strategic western Iraqi city al-Baghdadi is proof. On the homefront, meanwhile, the minor penalties imposed on those who join or support Islamic State are not enough to deter them.

The West must launch a comprehensive ground war against Islamic State until it is destroyed. But that in itself is not enough, it must take resolute measures in its own backyard. First, it must prohibit the teaching of jihad and hate in schools and mosques, and impose swift punishment on violators. Second, it should monitor and track jihadist websites, themselves efficient sources of indoctrination for Muslim youth around the world. Western nations should prevent their activities on these sites. The West should also encourage Muslim leaders who are aware of the dangers of orthodox Islam and dare to take steps to confront it. One prominent example of such is Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi. It is sad that he has acted as a dictator and is bringing back the leaders of Hosni Mubarak’s corrupt regime. But it appears that the benefits have outweighed the damage.

The combination of a complete military victory over Islamic State and firmly rooting out Muslims engaged in or supporting jihad from within the West, while retaining absolute respect for all Muslims as members of the countries they live in, will show the Muslim world that God does not stand with those trying to fulfill the dream of Islamic State to impose Islam on the world.

Ephraim Herrera is the author of “Jihad: Fundamentals and Fundamentalism.”

http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_opinion.php?id=11669