Phenomenon of Palestinian Suicide Terrorism

• NCJ Number: 222469
• Journal: Journal of National Defense Studies Issue: 6 Dated: May 2008 Pages: 51-82
• Author(s): Maria Alvanou
• Date Published: May 2008
• Length: 32 pages
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Issue Overview

Annotation

This article examines the phenomenon of Palestinian suicide terrorism, describing the post-September 11, 2001 “Al-Aqsa Intifada,” involving a campaign of suicide attacks against Israel.

Abstract

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, 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/her desired goal in society. Palestinians have launched a campaign of suicide attacks against Israel that created a seismic shock to most observers. The majority of the developed theories regarding suicide terrorism from the disciplines of psychology, international relations, religion, and economics have dealt with terrorism from their own point of view. In this article, a suicide attack as homicide, as a method of intentional killing of others, is legitimately researched in depth overcoming arguments of a “just cause.” The article discusses the use of terrorism as a criminal act for larger social purposes, and the short-term and long-term problems it causes for the local community, the terrorist ideology, and for media interpretation of the terrorist events. Notes, references