Wirt writes:

>It's also important to realize that the term "Homicide Bombers" is an overt
>recent attempt by the Israeli government to try to gain back some sense of
>momentum in world public opinion.

In reality, the term "homicide bomber" is an American invention. The phrase
was coined in April 2002 by White House Spokesman Ari Fleischer when he
said "The president condemns this morning's homicide bombing,". (See
http://xtramsn.co.nz/news/0,,3772-1310360,00.html for the full story)

>No nation would use such a process unless it felt that it had no choice. Nor
>would ordinary young men and women volunteer for such a mission unless they
>felt that their deaths would do more for their people than their lives. The
>Israeli policy towards the Palenstinians has been one of purposeful
>humiliation, subjugation, and legalized theft for 40 years now. In that
>context, the Palestinian response is no more or less than what should have
>been expected.

It is historically inaccurate to refer to "Palestine" or the "Palestinians"
as a nation. The land known as "Palestine" came into being around the year
71 C.E., after the Romans conquered Jerusalem. They chose to rename the
Land of Israel "Palestine", in an effort to sever all ties between the Jews
and their homeland. "Palestine" ceased to exist at midnight on May 14,
1948, when the British Mandate came to an end, and the state of Israel was
born in a part of the former mandate. The portion of the mandate that was
to become a state for the Arabs was annexed by Jordan.

Even the term "Palestinians" to describe the Arabs of the region is an
inaccuracy. What follows is from an interview with former PLO executive
committee member Zahir Muhsein, which appeared in the Dutch newspaper
"Trau" (March 31, 1977):
         "The Palestinian people does not exist. The creation of a
Palestinian state is only a means for continuing our struggle against the
state of Israel for our Arab unity. In reality today there is no difference
between Jordanians, Palestinians, Syrians and Lebanese. Only for political
and tactical reasons do we speak today about the existence of a Palestinian
people, since Arab national interests demand that we posit the existence of
a distinct 'Palestinian people' to oppose Zionism."
         "For tactical reasons, Jordan, which is a sovereign state with
defined borders, cannot raise claims to Haifa and Jaffa. While as a
Palestinian, I can undoubtedly demand Haifa, Jaffa, BeerSheva and
Jerusalem. However, the moment we reclaim our right to all of Palestine, we
will not wait even a minute to unite Palestine and Jordan."

The term "Palestinian" did not come into use until 1964 when a
"Palestinian" was officially defined by the "Palestine National Council".
In Article V of the covenant, "Palestinians" are defined as  "the Arab
citizens who were living permanently in Palestine until 1947, whether they
were expelled from there or remained. Whoever is born to a Palestinian Arab
father after this date within Palestine or outside it is a Palestinian."

The "Palestinians" continue to act in accord with the PLO charter to
destroy Israel. Their "humiliation and subjugation" is brought about by
their own refusal to live in peace with Israel. The terrorist violence has
necessitated a stronger IDF presence in the territories. The plight of the
"Palestinians" has not improved because their Arab brethren would then lose
the best weapon they have to use against Israel.

Israel is the only country in the Middle East that has shown an interest in
creating an independent state for  the same Arabs who categorically
rejected the opportunity in 1947. In 1993, Israel and the PLO signed the
Oslo Accords, with the intended goal being an independent state for the
still displaced Palestinians. It is important to note two major facts: the
PLO was created in 1964 before Israel gained control of the territories
during the Six-Day War of 1967, and at no time prior to the Six-Day War,
when the West Bank and Gaza were under Arab rule, were discussions held
regarding a Palestinian state. During the implementation stages of Oslo,
Israel fulfilled each part of its agreement by turning over large areas of
the West Bank and Gaza to the PLO, later to become the Palestinian
Authority. The IDF helped to create and arm the Palestinian security
forces. Arafat did not fulfill any of his obligations. Despite having nine
years to dismantle the refugee camps, they still stand, an intentional
breeding ground for hate and resentment.

The suicide/homicide bombers are not "ordinary young men and women". They
do not act out of desperation. They act as they've been taught to do.
Hatred and incitement against Israel are taught to them from earliest
childhood. "The hatred we indoctrinate into the minds of our children from
their birth is sacred," said the Syrian Minister of  Education, in a 1968
letter to UNESCO.

Modern PLO maps and school books fail to recognize Israel as existing. The
past nine years have taught all but the most hardcore "peaceniks" that the
formula of land for peace does not work. Israel's gestures have been
interpreted by the Arabs as signs of weakness. An Israeli withdrawal from
the so-called "occupied" territories, far from bringing peace to the
region, would be in step with the plans of the PLO. Israel would, in fact,
take a part in its own destruction. Since 1993, Israel has suffered more
terrorist-related casualties than in the 15 years prior to the Oslo
agreement. As Mr. Muhsein said, the ultimate goal of Yasser Arafat and his
PLO is not to establish a "Palestinian" state; it is to exterminate Israel.

>Will suicide bombing work? Probably not on the long-term, but it is the only
>response left open to the Palestinians, given the great asymmetries in
>military power that exist between the Palestinians and the Israelis. But it
>is obviously working in the short-term. Israel's vaunted military is
>powerless to stop it. The only solution is political, a national policy of
>generosity and compassion towards the Palestinians, rather than continued
>military and legal oppression, but I have seen nothing about one successive
>Israeli government after another that gives me any reason for hope.

This leaves the question: What more can Israel do to show "generosity and
compassion" toward a people who vow to destroy it?

Joe Berliner

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