June 6, 2002

Another Suicide Bomber

[Bethlehem, Palestine] As you must have heard, there was another nasty suicide bomber yesterday. The method of bombing was new this time. A car filled with explosives drove beside a crowded bus. The Islamic Jihad bombers exploded the car and the bus tumbled several times, killing 16 and wounding 38 more. Terrible.

The bombings really anger me. How many have there been since I have arrived? 30 or 40? I can't believe that anyone truly interested in a peaceful resolution to the conflict would use this method. In my perspective (a free international not living under oppression), nothing justifies those actions. People have tried to explain to me why these bombings may be helpful, but I don't see it.

Do the bombers believe that the attacks will bring people to their senses to finally understand the suffering of the Palestinians? I can't believe that a rash of suicide bombings would sway people to a better understanding. If anything, it just turns world opinion against them.

Of course it is possible that the bombers have no interest in a peaceful resolution to the situation here. Perhaps they want to make the situation worse for Palestinians. If that is their motive, then I think they have succeeded.

Bombed Bus, AP Photo