Bullies are often fundamentally cowardly: if their home, or their country is under attack they rank saving their own life and possessions first and above the group.

A bully will expect any group they target to crumble in a similar manner. The idea that their threats and attacks might cause people to find a common cause, that it might inspire bravery and unification is not something they can anticipate or imagine.

Because were it them? They would shove the child out of the lifeboat and run.