How can the United States of America and other European countries crush, once and for all, the "death cult" of Muslim extremists who have brought bloodshed in various countries across the world? It's not that easy of course, but something must be done to tackle ISIS before these monsters carry out some other vicious attack.

In the wake of recent murders at a Jewish supermarket in Paris, just two days after the Charlie Hebdo massacre, security in Germany, Britain and the US is seriously being reviewed to prevent other potential targets. Only last week, Britain and America vowed to work together to defeat this ''poisonous and fanatical'' danger of Islamic extremism. British Prime Minister David Cameron and US President Barack Obama promised that both countries will work together to defeat and eradicate once and for all these so-called jihadi warriors. They agreed to establish a joint group to identify what more appropriate measures they can take to counter the Muslim threat and avoid a repetition of the horror witnessed in Paris a couple of days ago... BUT, will they succeed?

Speaking to journalists at a joint press conference last week, Mr Cameron was quoted as saying that America, Britain and other allied countries were facing serious threats to their national security from people who are determined to do them harm.

"The world is sickened by this terrorism. We know what we are up against but we will not be standing alone in this fight. Joint action on jihadi cruelty will be taken and eventually we will succeed. We will never ever give up to terrorism wherever it appears." 

The ideology of violent extremism was taken up by communities around the world. ISIS and al Qaeda have bases in Syria, Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan and even in Libya. Governments have to be incredibly vigilant at all times, particularly at airports where last week British counter-terrorism officers arrested an 18-year old woman at Stansted Airport on suspicion of terrorism offences.

The global picture of terrorist activity in this day and age is causing grave concern to European governments with regard to the risks involved, especially to the Jewish communities in these countries. Anti-Semitism and anti-Islam in Germany, Britain and France showed alarming levels in a recent poll, with nearly half of those involved holding prejudiced views on both Jews and Muslims.

Stepping up army patrols in various sensitive places would be another good idea because one cannot simply rely on policing and security. It is vital that police officers who deal with terror attacks are given whatever help they need to do their dangerous job effectively. Further measures may have to be put in place to enhance the security of police officers and army personnel, given the deliberate targeting of police in a number of countries.

People are very concerned about their safety, fearing a Paris style terrorist attack... and rightly so!  Following the "unprecedented" number of calls to the police in the UK, the need to have appropriate and necessary measures must  be taken very seriously indeed.

Fear is rife, particularly in Germany - and not only among Muslims - because the growing anti-Islamic mood and anti-Semitic rhetoric in Germany and elsewhere in Europe is reaching boiling point. The sooner extra measures are in place to look after the Jewish communities in Europe and thus avoid more bloodshed, the better.

Jos Edmond Zarb

Birkirkara