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The Phenomenon of Palestinian Suicide Terrorism
Concluding remarks
Terrorists believe that the truth of their cause justifies any action that supports it.
There can always be a justification for terror given by the terrorists, 87 but the most
important clue and what should be condemned is that the terrorist regardless of the
cause believes that violence is the only avenue to achieve his desired goal in
society. 88 Terrorism is intentionally behaving in ways that demean, dehumanize,
harm, destroy, or kill innocent people. And although victims are often associated,
concretely or symbolically, to the sources of grievances, the selection of “remote”
victims, the “innocent”, is actually a tactic to terrorize a government, an institution,
a group in society or remain in the public eye through the media (Bell, 1978, pp.
65-89; Cooper, 1976, pp. 42-52.).
The reason why Palestinian suicide operations are to be condemned is because their
victims are Israeli civilians. Until the day that war itself is outlawed, the
international community is interested in protecting the civilians and liming
casualties among the non combatants. “However noble their cause, however
sincere their intentions, however deserving of redress the wrongs done to them,
terrorists nullify these claims by their refusal to operate within civilized norms...”
(McGurn, 1985, p. 57). The targeting of civilians, often using perfidious methods,
makes suicide bombers and their sponsors criminals. Their actions and disregard
for basic human rights has tainted and undermined the wider struggle for
Palestinian human rights. 89 In the words of Palestinian officials, the present violent
character of the resistance “does not accumulate to any big strategic achievement,
rather the opposite. It causes losses and damages and accumulates feelings of
vengeance, hate and enmity between Palestinians and Israelis,” 90 thus “...the
resistance to the occupation should continue in all forms and in all means, but not
through martyrdom operations against civilians...” 91 Suicide attacks are “contrary
to the Palestinian tradition, against international law and harm the Palestinian
people.” 92
While no one can speak against the right of the Palestinian people to fight for what
they view as their freedom and defend their perceived homeland, the matter does
not end there. For a just war not only the propriety of jus ad bellum is important,
but also the propriety of jus in bello, thus the belligerent’s subsequent conduct.
“Certain acts even in war are beyond the pale and can only be labelled terror.” 93
65