Israel's State Terrorism

What is the difference between State terrorism and individual terrorist acts? If we understand this difference we'll understand also the evilness of the US policies in the Middle East and the forthcoming disasters. When Yassir Arafat was put under siege in his offices and kept hostage by the Israeli occupation forces, he was constantly pressed into condemning terror and combatting terrorism. Israel's state terrorism is defined by US officials as "self-defense", while individual suicide bombers are called terrorists.

The only 'small' difference is that Israeli aggression is the direct responsibility of Ariel Sharon, Benjamin Ben Eliezer, Shimon Peres and Shaul Mofaz, while the individual terrorist acts are done by individuals in despair, usually against Arafat's will. One hour after Arafat declared his support of a cease fire and wished the Jews a Happy Passover feast, a suicide bomber exploded himself in an hotel in Netanya, killing 22 innocent Jews celebrating Passover. Arafat was blamed as responsible for this act, and the present IDF offensive has been justified through this accusation.

At the same time, Sharon's responsibility for Israeli war crimes is being completely ignored. Who should be arrested for the targeted killing of almost 100 Palestinians? Who will be sent to jail for the killing of more than 120 Palestinian paramedics? Who will be sentenced for the killing of more than 1,200 Palestinians and for the collective punishment of more than 3,000,000 civilians during the last 18 months? And who will face the International Tribunal for the illegal settlement of occupied Palestinian Lands, and the disobedience of UN decisions for more than 35 years?

Suicide bombs killing innocent citizens must be unequivocally condemned; they are immoral acts, and their perpetrators should be sent to jail. But they cannot be compared to State terrorism carried out by the Israeli Government. The former are individual acts of despair of a people that sees no future, vastly ignored by an unfair and distorted international public opinion. The latter are cold and "rational" decisions of a State and a military apparatus of occupation, well equipped, financed and backed by the only superpower in the world.

Yet in the public debate, State terrorism and individual suicide bombs are not even considered as comparable cases of terrorism. The State terror and war crimes perpetrated by the Israeli Government are legitimized as "self-defense", while Arafat, even under siege, is demanded to arrest "terrorists."

I want to ask: Who will arrest Sharon, the person directly responsible for the orders to kill Palestinians? When is he going to be defined a terrorist too? How long will the world ignore the Palestinian cry that all they want is freedom and independence? When will it stop neglecting the fact that the goal of the Israeli Government is not security, but the continued occupation and subjugation of the Palestinian people?

As Israelis in the opposition, we are fighting against our government, but the international support that Sharon receives is constantly jeopardizing our struggle. The whole international public opinion must be reverted, and the UN must deploy intervention forces in order to stop the bloodshed and the imminent deterioration. Israelis and Palestinians desperately need the awakening of the international community's public opinion and a reversal in the global attitude. These are needed both in order to save our lives (literally), and preserve our hope in a better future.

* Dr. Lev Grinberg is a political sociologist, and Director of the Humphrey Institute for Social Research at Ben Gurion University

My vote is that Ariel Sharon's offensive is the stupidest campaign in recent memory. Defined here as a campaign that has solved nothing, increased Israel's problems, intensified Palestinian hatred of Israel, estranged many Europeans and Americans, and fanned Islamic hostility.

Oh really? Just prior to the incursions into the fetid West Bank, homicide bombings were happening every day, and now far fewer of them are being done. That means more Jews don't get murdered while trying to have lunch or shop or have coffee or participate in religious ceremonies.

And I do think that Buckley's well into his second childhood. His articles haven't made sense in years.

if the Israelis only want peace, they continue to support Israeli settlers on Palestinian territory?

1.2 million Arabs live in Israel. Why should Palestine be 100% Jew-free?

Even though this violates a treaty they signed with Arafat in 1967.

You are hallucinating. There was no such treaty.

1.2 million Arabs live in Israel. Why should Palestine be 100% Jew-free?

What proportion of these Arabs are Palestinians?

From what I have heard the Israeli settlers don't allow Palestinians into their areas. If Palestinians in Israel stopped Israelis from coming into the areas they colonised, then wouldn't the Israelis also be angry?

As I asked before; how does killing civilians, destroying houses, schools, hospitals, Police stations and electricity/water supply infrastructre, help stop future terrorism?

I agree that Arafat was using the bombers as a negotiating tactic, he no doubt saw it as the only leverage he had to gain concessions. I no more cared for Arafat's tactics than I do for Sharon's overly brutal response. The extremists on both sides seem to be winning, and that doesn't bode well for any chance of peace over there anytime soon.

Sharon's response was quite tame. Troops, not bombs were used. Infact, it was incomplete. He did not send troops into Gaza. Sharon's position is hardly extreme and was supported by the Labour party.

Please explain to me why, if the Israelis only want peace, they continue to support Israeli settlers on Palestinian territory? Even though this violates a treaty they signed with Arafat in 1967.

1. There was no treaty in 1967.
2. Considering they are negotiating borders, isn't it premature to talk about Palestinian terriroty?
The Arabs consider Jews retuirning to the Jewish quarter of Old Jerusalem to be settlers!
Besides, the Arabs are also building new communities. Whence the double standard.

Also how does killing civilians, destroying houses, schools, hospitals, Police stations and electricity/water supply infrastructre, help stop future terrorism?

Ask the Bush administration about Afghanistan!
As to the specific points, the PA police commited terrist acts and hid other terrorists from teh Israelis.
The destruction of infrastructure was unfortunate, but t he terrorists purposely hid among civilians in order to maximize collatoral damage.

By the way I am not an antisemite. I have Jewish friends (not Israelis) and they are actually very critical of the methods use by Israel to defend itself.
I suppose these American Jews opposed bombing Afghanistan?

Ron
PS. You wouldn't happen to be the David Hunter who went to Columbia B-school 2 years ago?

State terrorism? I think not.

"Nations live or die by the way they respond to the particular challenges they face. Those challenges may be internal or external; they may be faced by a nation alone or in concert with other nations; they may come gradually or suddenly. There is no immutable law of nature that says only the unjust will be afflicted, or that the just will prevail. While might certainly does not make right, neither does right itself make might. The time when a nation most craves ease may be the moment when it can least afford to let down its guard. The moment when it most wishes it could address its domestic needs may be the moment when it most urgently has to confront an external threat. The nation that survives is the one that rises to meet that moment: that has the wisdom to recognize the threat and the will to turn it back, and that does so before it is too late." - Richard Nixon, The Real War, 1980.

"And we shouldn't support any group that commits atrocities like those committed by both Palestinians and Israelis."

I see. What is your morally-superior evaluation of the Allied bombing of Dresden in WWII? Jimmy Doolittle's raid on Tokyo? The atomic bomb blasts that ended the war in the Pacific theatre?

Nations have the right--and obligation--to defend themselves and their citizens.

Period.

--Boris

I suppose these American Jews opposed bombing Afghanistan?

Actually, they are English and Russian. No, they didn't oppose the war in Afghanistan. In fact, the Russian was all for it, apparently Russia would have probably had a war with the Taliban in a couple of years anyway. The fact that the US and its allies are getting rid of the Taliban is great from the Russian perspective.

PS. You wouldn't happen to be the David Hunter who went to Columbia B-school 2 years ago?

No, actually I am English and have never even visited the USA.

I suppose these American Jews opposed bombing Afghanistan?

Mr. Hunter responded:
Actually, they are English and Russian. No, they didn't oppose the war in Afghanistan. In fact, the Russian was all for it, apparently Russia would have probably had a war with the Taliban in a couple of years anyway. The fact that the US and its allies are getting rid of the Taliban is great from the Russian perspective.

Sounds like he is still loyal to the Soviets. The UK should screen better.

No, actually I am English and have never even visited the USA.

That's rather provincial. You really should visit sometime.
I have relatives in England and have been to London, Cambridge, Oxford and Leeds.

As for your views, I get the feeling that you are still annoyed with Israel over the incidents preceding British withdrawl.

Seti 1: "What is the difference between State terrorism and individual terrorist acts? "

ex-snook: Obviously it's miliary aid. If the USA supplied enough military aid so people would be able to buy missiles, tanks, and gunships then they would not use cars, themselves, or even our own planes. You see if we provided military aid, then it would be 'collateral damage' and would end 'terrorism'. (/sarcasm)

I think it's buying power. If one can afford to buy the world's best weapon systems then one is not a terrorist. If one uses crude or improvised weapons against the most destructive, invasive and militarized powers on Earth the only outcome is death to you and your family.

God Bless the U.S. Constitution and may those who abuse and subvert that primal document rot.

Sounds like he is still loyal to the Soviets. The UK should screen better.

Actually its a she. Apparently, the Russians were threatening to bomb the Taliban in 2000 because they were a threat to the bordering Russian Federation states. She told me that a war between Russia and the Taliban would have been guaranteed in a year or to, but for the 11th of September attacks.

As for your views, I get the feeling that you are still annoyed with Israel over the incidents preceding British withdrawl.

I don't recall expressing any views, just asking questions.

I am not against the Israelis. They are being attacked by suicide bombers and obviously have a right to defend themselves. But I can't help thinking that the methods they are using are likely to encourage Palestinian hatred against them and make terrorism even more of a problem in the future.

Please explain to me why, if the Israelis only want peace, they continue to support Israeli settlers on Palestinian territory? Even though this violates a treaty they signed with Arafat in 1967.

First of all, Mr. Hunter....it was never Palestinian territory in the first place...it's always belonged to Israel...during the time when our friend Billy The Loon Clintoooon, brokered the peace process in 93, he brought back Mr. (really Egyptian) Arafat from exile in Tunisa...after Arafat was kicked out of almost every country he tried to reside in because he reeked havoc and destruction everywhere he went...including his own country of Egypt....

Those settlements have been there for years and years...and they've taken that wasted land and created neighborhoods, schools, houses of worship, amongst other things....That land was always Israeli until the wonderful brokered "Peace" Process that hasn't given Israel one iota of peace....

Tell your Jewish friends...they should read up on Israel, and stop being such little wimps...what if someone came into their neighborhoods everyday, and blew up their family and friends....Tell them not to be so HORRIFIED, poor dears...

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