New Homicide Bombing in Jerusalem

Contact in Jerusalem | September 9, 2003 | Self

[richardtavor]

Another attack just occured about 20 minutes ago on Emek Rafaim Street in Jerusalem at the Hillel Coffee Shop. Ambulance sirens have lasted at least 15 minutes, so probably many injured (dead unknown.) After the earlier bombing in Tel Aviv, Hamas is saying WELCOME to the new Prime Minister.....The Israelis have been expecting the bombings to escalate for the last several days, and expect further acts of Terrorism shortly. The government is currently debating about whether to remove Arafat (not the first time.) The message came from a friend that lives a few blocks from the Hillel Coffee Shop.....

[Restorer]

I understand and agree with the sentiment behind calling these attacks "homicide bombings" rather than "suicide bombings."

Unfortunately, the practice is a misuse of language. All bombing attacks are homicide bombings, if killing is intended, which it usually is. For instance, all the bombs dropped by the US in Iraq were homicide bombing attacks. Thus referring to a homicide bomb attack provides no more information than referring to a bomb attack.

Suicide bombing refers to a particular method of delivering the bomb, which is actually useful information.

[thoughtomator]

"suicide murder-bombing" would be more accurate still, if a little less easy to say.