Opinion: Boston reminds us of best and worst of humanity By Michael Oren, Special to CNN April 19, 2013 -- Updated 1339 GMT (2139 HKT) Michael Oren: Bombing in Boston sought to instill fear and inflict trauma He says Boston and other communities threatened by terrorism refuse to submit Israeli ambassador to U.S. says both nations know the pain terrorism causes Oren: Remember the victims and refuse to be victimized by terrorism Editor's note: Michael Oren is Israel's ambassador to the United States. (CNN) -- The purpose of terror is to terrorize. Though questions remain about those responsible for the attack, the horrendous bombing attack on the Boston Marathon sought to instill paralyzing fear, inflict debilitating trauma and force us to forfeit our freedom. We cannot let terror win. We -- Americans and Israelis -- live in open societies that enable us to celebrate our freedom. Whether in arts festivals, sporting events, craft fairs or merely playing with our kids in the park, we are upholding those liberties in the face of those seeking to deny them. Michael Oren At the same time, we know that our freedoms must be defended, sometimes by men and women in uniform but most poignantly by people refusing to succumb to fear. We beat terror by refusing to submit. The people of Boston, who on the day of the bombing were celebrating liberty's birthday, will not submit. Our experience in Israel has taught us that communities and caregivers, police and security forces, elected leaders and volunteers can unite at such times and block the terrorists from achieving their objectives. While taking all possible measures to prevent further loss of life, we adamantly refuse to forfeit our way of life. Anyone who has suffered the agony of terror knows the pain of the victims and their families as well as the radius of the emotional damage inflicted on countless citizens. We know that at such times, communities can band together and help bind the psychological and physical wounds. When first responders rush through the smoke, risking their own lives to assist the fallen, the healing process begins. And the people of Boston will heal. Still, the democratic liberties that Americans and Israelis enjoy cannot be taken for granted. American security forces and policy-makers face complex challenges. We must appreciate their successes in thwarting many attacks. We will continue to embrace freedom, but we will remain vigilant and resolute. This attack in Boston reminds us of both the worst and best in humanity. In an act of terror, those responsible destroyed and forever altered the lives of hundreds of people. But, stories of the heroic first responders, the athletes who ran to the hospital to donate blood and the countless other acts of selflessness remind us of the American spirit and its capacity to overcome terror and emerge stronger. We comfort the bereaved, tend to the hurt and take all precautions. We remember the victims but, standing together, refuse to be victimized. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Michael Oren. April 19, 2013 -- Updated 1206 GMT (2006 HKT) Peter Bergen says few people in the U.S. have successfully produced ricin for terrorist purposes Michael Oren says the people of Boston will not submit to the effort of bombers to instill fear and inflict trauma that debilitates the community. April 19, 2013 -- Updated 1641 GMT (0041 HKT) Bob Morris says the U.S. and the global community must take meaningful action against IEDs. April 19, 2013 -- Updated 0942 GMT (1742 HKT) April 19, 2013 -- Updated 1540 GMT (2340 HKT) Marcy Heinz says the Boston Marathon bombing brought back memories of another horrific April day in 1995. April 19, 2013 -- Updated 1047 GMT (1847 HKT)