The Israeli city of Ramle, about ten minutes outside of Tel Aviv, was rocked by terror on Thursday morning when two 13-year old Arab girls stabbed a 25-year old security guard at the city’s central bus station, lightly wounding him in the hand and leg.

Following questioning, the security guard was taken to the hospital for medical treatment. The two Palestinian teens were apprehended and taken into custody by security forces.

TERROR CONTINUES: Two 13 y/o Arab girls arrested after stabbing 25 y/o Jewish man in Israeli central city of Ramle. pic.twitter.com/J5gmbUwKVQ

— Israel News Feed (@IsraelHatzolah) February 4, 2016

The attack comes less than 24 hours after a border policewoman was murdered and another seriously injured at Damascus Gate outside of the Old City of Jerusalem by three Palestinian teenagers. Only a week ago, two more Palestinians were apprehended after they stabbed a Jewish 17-year old. The assailants were 12 and 16 years old.

A point of comparison: only a few weeks ago, an Israeli teenager was given an award by the Israel Space Agency for her creative ingenuity after inventing a satellite which can produce oxygen in space. Her age? Thirteen years old. She credited her family for their support, telling Ma’ariv L’Noar, an Israeli publication, “My father…was very happy when I began my research.” She added, “From my mother I learned the wisdom of looking at life creatively.”

The contrast in values is striking, but not altogether surprising.

From as early an age as infancy, Palestinians are taught to hate Jews and, more specifically, Israelis. Martyrdom is glorified; children are given knives which are wielded by the youth as they scream “Death to Jews”.  

Murder has even become an activity for friends to share. The terrorists from Wednesday’s attack posted a photo of themselves on Facebook before they carried out the shooting.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated time and again that the incitement pouring out of Palestinian media must be held accountable for these attacks. From television shows to Facebook and Twitter pages to words out of their leaders’ mouths, the message of hatred and annihilation is without question to blame.

Simultaneously, the Jewish youth in Israel are taught the value of life and innovation. Whether through achievements in athletics, science, medicine, or technology, Israel is at the forefront of innovation. It isn’t without reason that the young country has earned the name “Start Up Nation”.

Adolescence is a precarious time when children discover themselves. The teenage years are formative ones. Positive reinforcement is the key to shaping any behavior, as any psychologist will tell you.

The cause of the difference between the Israeli and Palestinian teenagers is glaringly obvious. In Israel, while one teenager learns praise from seeking death and destruction, another is receiving encouragement for academic or personal accomplishments. It should therefore come as no surprise that the last 30 days have seen such a difference in actions between Israel’s juveniles. While certain exceptions to the rule must be acknowledged, it is a person’s upbringing that will ultimately dictate his or her goals.