Palestinian terrorism has been one of the most effective weapons in Israel’s arsenal for protecting and expanding the occupation. Many of those who support Palestinian rights have been caught in an uncomfortable position with regard to Palestinian terrorism. On the one hand, one feels loathe to dictate to a virtually defenseless population how they should resist an overwhelming military power occupying their land and committing countless atrocities, day in day out. On the other hand one cannot support terrorism that targets civilians outside of the occupied territories. There is thus a great degree of ambivalence in the Palestinian solidarity movement.
The guerrilla attack of Nov. 15 may have changed this. Although this attack was widely misrepresented (as usual) in the western media (see CNN propaganda), this was an attack on armed settlers and soldiers in occupied territory. The attack was successful, killing 9 soldiers and 3 armed settlers.
My feeling is that we should enthusiastically support such guerrilla tactics. Under international law, it is legal to resist armed occupiers. Even though these attacks will not result in the defeat of the occupation forces, it will undercut Israel’s moral position as “defending” itself against terrorism, create even more disillusionment among the IDF forces, and rally international support for the Palestinian cause. The very fragile thread on which the U.S. rests its support for Israel would break, creating more pressure on the U.S. to stop its support for the occupation.
While I do not presume to dictate to a people under siege how they should resist their oppressors, I do think we should encourage guerrilla activities as opposed to terrorism.
But I agree to an extent. I saw a clip on the news where a couple of “suicide bombers” jumped in a boat and suicide against IDF navy. My first thaught was, “damn animals”. Then I realised what they said and in a way, when they showed stills of the inevitable suicide videos, I could actually see two people who died fighting for something they believed in. Andthat got my respect. I cannot respect a people who use teror and target civilians for thier cause. As long as the PA supports terrorists they do not have a legitimate government. And as long as terrorist attacks happen Isreal has every right to go in and kill those who perpitrate such acts. It doesnt matter if you or I think they have a legitimate reason or not. There is no excuse to do what they do and while they do it they are not worthy of my support.
How’s this for an idea, maybe the Palestinians should consider a bit of nonviolent protest. If they want the world to begin to be on their side nothing would go further than a little video footage of Israeli trooops beating up some unarmed and nonresisting protestors. So long as they continue to act like animals no one will give them any sympathy.
Actually, there has been extensive nonviolent protest in the occupied territories. You have shown why it doesn’t work, namely that nobody hears about it. When the Palestinians have submitted to Israeli aggression, they have simply disappeared from the world’s attention. It is a sad fact that violent resistance is the only method for gaining attention. Nonviolent resistance should be, I think, an important part of the resistance. However, it should be only one part. I fully support armed resistance.
I really hate to say it but Chumpsky does have a point. I’m a pretty staunch supporter of Israel even though I don’t always like what they do. If the PLO were to attack primarily military targets I think many people would look at them in a different light. They might be seen as a group that places more importance on an independent state then it does on killing jews and erradicating Israel.
Of course I have no problem telling anybody that they shouldn’t target a bus, a wedding, or a pizza parlour and the size and shape of their military force doesn’t come into play. If you feel uncomfortable telling them not to do that then I suppose I can feel completely comfortable with Israel bulldozing homes or using helicopters to shoot missiles into buildings.
This is a case of a severe imbalance in military power giving rise to desperation. The Palestinians can’t have a regular war with Israel, because they’d lose badly. They are absolutely no match, and they know it, so some have taken to terrorism. So what you’re saying, is that if they attack military targets only, and get slaughtered doing so, they could resist with dignity and avoid being called “terrorists”?
Some? They’re most visible leader, Arafat, was a major proponent of terrorism back in the 70’s and 80’s. I don’t care how imbalanced the military power is when it comes to specifically targetting civilians. You don’t bomb a busload of civilians because you don’t have any tanks or helicopters.
They’re getting slaughtered under their current policy of targetting civilians. Who would notice the difference? Are their terrorist activities getting them any closer to an independent Palestine?
I am not advocating a “regular war.” Obviously, this would be just a way to commit suicide. However, guerrilla tactics have been effective against vastly superior militaries. The NLF, for example, were effective at fighting the most advanced military in the world, armed with little more than the standard issue of guns and grenades, fighting against F-15’s, B-52’s, helicopter gunships, etc.
However, like I said, guerrilla warfare will not defeat the IDF. But, neither will terrorism. The point is not to defeat the IDF, but rather to raise the costs of the occupation. I think this can be affected. It is possible to make the occupation so painful and so costly, and at the same time to unite the world against the occupation, that Israel will be forced to withdraw.
As for those who are so quick to condemn Palestinian terrorism, while missing the vastly worse terrorism committed by Israel, let’s have a quiz. Which of these statements is real?
“Niether Muslim ethics nor Muslim tradition can disqualify terrorism as a means of combat. First and foremost, terrorism is for us a part of the political battle being conducted under the present circumstances, and it has a great part to play…in our war against the occupier.”
-Yassir Arafat
or…
“Niether Jewish ethics nor Jewish tradition can disqualify terrorism as a means of combat. First and foremost, terrorism is for us a part of the political battle being conducted under the present circumstances, and it has a great part to play…in our war against the occupier.”
-Yitzhak Shamir
The peaceful protest thing only worked for Ghandi after a whole ton of death on India’s side and him spending many, many years in Jail. The British lined up and mowed down a peaceful protest, killing about 1650 people with 1675 shots. This is the British we’re talking about. The Brits at least felt bad about it, the Isrealies would just shrug and wittle some more notches on their guns. Half a notch for women and children.
I know you’ll all hate me for this, but I’m in support of threatening to blow up all their pretty little temples and stuff they’re fighting over if they don’t quit it. If more crap happens, blow up something religiously important. If they just stopped for a while, the whole revenge thing would cool off and they could think a little clearer.
I am not strapping any bombs to my body, thank you very much.
Yes, those peaceful palestinans. Can you provide a cite to some coverage of nonviolent protest in any media? Or is the blackout part of the conspiracy? In any event the current trend of blowing up civilians has done wonders for the cause. But, no doubt if the palestinians could just kill the right people the entire situation would resolve itself quickly.
I am not loathe to do so, and I read your statement as a tacit endorsement of terrorism. I see no room for ambivalence, and frankly I am surprised at the restraint that the Israelis show. I would not be so kind.
WTH is “terrorism” anyway? Am I alone in thinking that making a distinction between “terrorism” and “war” is a lot like making a distinction between a “religion” and a “cult”?
Alls fair in love and war.
Yes, it’s a war.
In case nobody noticed, civilians always die in wars. A couple million asians died in vietnam, 60 thousand Americans. Do you really believe 60 thousand Americans took down 2 million soldiers? Oh yeah, and the whole dropping the big one on Japan thing, how’s that for collateral damage?
I think you Isreali supporters need to acknowledge that the PA have very good reasons to be ticked off. Didn’t anyone else notice the huge burial cermony after the last Isreali invasion, where hundreds of palestinian corpses were tossed in a big hole? Would you really do worse than that? Do you really believe that the Palestinians won’t seek revenge after their families and friends are killed? The US sure didn’t go pacifist after 9/11, so who are we to tell the PA to do the same?
BTW, if you really would kill more people than the Isrealies have, feel free to blow your head off right about now, just don’t shoot anyone else first.
Your hypocrisy is almost blinding. In the same sentence you say that you have no ambivalence for terrorism, and that you support Israel’s terrorism, which far exceeds what the Palestinians have done.
At least be honest about it. Don’t claim that you are against terrorism if you support Israel’s terrorism. Have at least the decency to be up front about what you are supporting. In this case, you are supporting the terrorism of the strong, and condemning the terrorism of the weak.
Like I have said, nobody can support the targeting of civilians outside of the occupied territories. Of course, in western theology, any show of support for Palestinian resistance is a “tacit endorsement of terrorism.” It’s all part of the doctrinal requirements for entering the debate.
Are you talking about the Jenin “massacre?” The one that resulted in 56 Palestinian deaths to 33 Israeli in the midst of heavy firefights?
[/quote] Would you really do worse than that? Do you really believe that the Palestinians won’t seek revenge after their families and friends are killed? The US sure didn’t go pacifist after 9/11, so who are we to tell the PA to do the same?
[/quote]
Or Israel?
Seems like you want to justify Palestinian tactics under the guise of anything goes in war, and then seek to condemn Israeli tactics, presumably disregarding the “anything goes in war” philosophy.
And on a second reading, please elaborate on this “western theology” of which you speak. What, exactly, is that, and how is the “Palestinian resistance” involved? Please feel free to use any doctrine you wish.
