It is deeply disturbing that the victims of the civil war in Syria, many fleeing the atrocities of the Islamic State, are being equated with the terrorists.

The terrible carnage in Paris is no reason for this country to abandon its plans to offer some modest help in easing the Syrian refugee crisis by admitting 10,000 displaced individuals in 2016. Unlike Europe, the United States has oceans separating it from the war in Syria. The U.S. does not face the prospect of tens of thousands of refugees washing up on its shore, and streaming through its streets.

In Europe, such a situation does present a serious challenge and the potential for terrorists to hide among the multitudes. For humanitarian reasons, it is a challenge Europe needs to meet, but the debate about how to do so and hesitation in proceeding are understandable there.

Not so in the United States, where the refugees will arrive by plane, after the opportunity to well vet them and detect any ties to radical factions that would disqualify an applicant seeking refuge.

Yet in a hysteric reaction, governors in as many as 30 states are to varying degrees opposing the Obama administration’s plan to help. Meanwhile, Republican candidates for president appear to be trying to outdo each other in their hardline stances against accepting the refugees and in their condemnation of the president.

The most jaw-dropping comment may have come from former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush who suggested the possibility of just allowing Christian refugees. It would be hard to come up with a better propaganda tool than that for the Islamic State to use in attracting radical recruits by depicting its despicable terrorist acts as part of a holy war.

Conversely, the United States, by being true to its ideals and helping people in need regardless of their faith, can undermine the hateful rhetoric of its enemies.

Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has taken the correct and courageous stance by saying this state will cooperate with the relocation plans.

“I have great faith in the people of Connecticut,” Chris George of Integrated Refugee Immigrant Services, based in New Haven, told the Connecticut Post. “They’re smart. They are not going to react in a panicky, knee-jerk way. They deeply believe and support this great American tradition of welcoming refugees. They’re not going to play into the hands of terrorists and throw it out because of the Paris atrocities.”

We trust he is right.

The Day editorial board meets regularly with political, business and community leaders and convenes weekly to formulate editorial viewpoints. It is composed of President and Publisher Tim Dwyer, Editorial Page Editor Paul Choiniere, Managing Editor Izaskun E. Larrañeta, staff writer Erica Moser and retired deputy managing editor Lisa McGinley. However, only the publisher and editorial page editor are responsible for developing the editorial opinions. The board operates independently from the Day newsroom.