# How much blame does Europe deserve for financially supporting suicide bombers? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [May 5, 2002, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-blame-does-europe-deserve-for-financially-supporting-suicide-bombers/107438 "2002-05-05T22:19:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2002, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-blame-does-europe-deserve-for-financially-supporting-suicide-bombers/107438/81 "2002-05-09T13:52:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by december \* > \*\*Why would it be in Sharon’s interest to falsely blame al Aksa? \*\* One theory I have is that it would be useful to an expansionist Israeli leader to discredit Arafat to the international community - thus destroying his credibility when it comes to a negotiated settlement. Remember, even before it went really crazy, Sharon was calling for the PA to control terrorism while simultaneously destroying PA security infrastructure. ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2002, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-blame-does-europe-deserve-for-financially-supporting-suicide-bombers/107438/82 "2002-05-09T14:01:01Z")
Well it looks like the British are sending some help. [UK agents to help Arafat stop suicide bombers](http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/story.jsp?story=293163) Typical European attitude. Giving aid to terrorists 😉 ---
**Author:** ![december](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/838e76/32.png) [@december](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/december)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2002, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-blame-does-europe-deserve-for-financially-supporting-suicide-bombers/107438/83 "2002-05-09T14:03:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by London\_Calling \* > \*\* > Absolute, unmitigated hatred of the man (mind you, it’s mutual). \*\* I thought Sharon hated Arafat because he believes Arafat is a terrorist who has arranged the murder of numerous Israeli citizens. In your version, Sharon thinks Arafat is _not_ a terrorist, but he hates Arafat so much that he wants to focus attention on Arafat, rather than the actual terrorist leaders. Hmm… > [@](#): > > **jjimm** > Remember, even before it went really crazy, Sharon was calling for the PA to control terrorism while simultaneously destroying PA security infrastructure. It wasn’t just Sharon calling for the PA to control terrorism The PA _agreed_ to control terrorism as their part of the Oslo (IIRC) Accords. The PA failed to control terrorism, and their al Aksa Brigagades were actually committing terrorism for a long period of time before Sharon ever attacked the PA’s infrastructure. Remember, the last round of suicide bombings began almost 2 years ago. Israel’s finally responded only a few months ago. ---
**Author:** ![London\_Calling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@London\_Calling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/London_Calling)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2002, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-blame-does-europe-deserve-for-financially-supporting-suicide-bombers/107438/84 "2002-05-09T14:19:46Z")
No **december** (you were doing okay for five minutes there…), Sharon **does** think Arafat is a terrorist. It’s simple blind hatred, dating back to at least 1982 and Beirut. Sharon wants Arafat out, out and out: Gone, exiled and finished – Sharon can’t control what happens then, but I don’t believe he cares at the moment. Tactically, (not being the most pragmatic of fellows) I doubt Sharon is bothered with the consequences – just drive the tanks into the room next door and hope Arafat does something stupid. _Then_ deal with whatever unfolds. ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2002, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-blame-does-europe-deserve-for-financially-supporting-suicide-bombers/107438/85 "2002-05-09T15:08:36Z")
> [@](#): > > Really? Suicide bombings are happening. There’s no dispute that Palestinian terrorists are responsible for all these massacres. > > Suppose they were all organized by Hamas and Hezbollah, and not by Arafat’s al Aksa Brigades. Why would it be in Sharon’s interest to falsely blame al Aksa? I guess we will go round and round forever. **december** , I do not think I have seen anybody on this board as fanatical and immune to reason as you but I will keep rebutting your nonsense. Suppose Arafat _is_ behind the bombings. Why does that make Europe responsible. They have provided funds for reconstruction projects not for bombs. The USA is also dealing with Arafat and providing help to the PA. Why is the US _not_ supporting terrorism? Why is the US _not_ guilty of supporting terrorism when the CIA trains Arafat’s men? Why is Colin Powel not guilty of terrorism when he backs Arafat as valid representative of the Palestinian people? Why? Why? Why? Every single accusation you have leveled at Europe can be said about the US and more. You are just so fanatical it is impossible to reason with you. ---
**Author:** ![december](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/838e76/32.png) [@december](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/december)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2002, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-blame-does-europe-deserve-for-financially-supporting-suicide-bombers/107438/86 "2002-05-09T15:31:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by sailor \* > Suppose Arafat _is_ behind the bombings. Why does that make Europe responsible. I was arguing that Sharon hates Arafat for a rational reason – because he’s a terrorist. EU implied that they would have a degree of responsibility. They called the accusation “serious.” > [@](#): > > The USA is also dealing with Arafat and providing help to the PA. Why is the US _not_ supporting terrorism? Because the US money is given via a UN agency. > [@](#): > > Why is the US _not_ guilty of supporting terrorism when the CIA trains Arafat’s men? Perhaps they are. Do you have a cite on the CIA training? > [@](#): > > Every single accusation you have leveled at Europe can be said about the US and more. I never meant to imply that the US is perfect. ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2002, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-blame-does-europe-deserve-for-financially-supporting-suicide-bombers/107438/87 "2002-05-09T15:36:38Z")
But it seems from your posts that Israel is. Yes? ---
**Author:** ![SuaSponte](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/67e7ee/32.png) [@SuaSponte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuaSponte)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2002, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-blame-does-europe-deserve-for-financially-supporting-suicide-bombers/107438/88 "2002-05-09T19:03:29Z")
**december,** your whole thread seems to be based on your interpretation of two words “serious” and “lacks”. Let’s go back to the analogy of the courtroom again. Prosecutor: The defendant killed 35 puppies!! Defense Attorney: Those are very serious accusations. Prosecutor: Aha!! The defense attorney admits the accusations are serious! Your Honor, I move for a directed verdict of guilty! Judge: What are you smoking, son? The defense attorney’s recognition that you have accused him of a serious crime is not an admission of guilt. Prosecutor: Darn. Oh well, I can prove that the defendant killed 35 puppies. Judge: Very well. Present your evidence. Prosecutor: Er, um. Well, you see, your Honor, I was on the subway this morning, and I lost my briefcase. All the evidence is in there… Defense Attorney: You Honor, I move that this case be dismissed. The prosecutor lacks evidence to prove my client is guilty. Prosecutor: How dare you! I have plenty of evidence. It’s just that it’s all in my briefcase, and I don’t have that… Judge: Mr. Prosecutor, it may very well be that somewhere in the subways of this fair city, all the evidence necessary to convict the defendant is even now riding around. But you must prove your case in this courtroom, not on the subways. Here, you lack any evidence. Case dismissed. Sua [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-blame-does-europe-deserve-for-financially-supporting-suicide-bombers/107438.md?page=4)