Middle East Issues - Palestinian Suicide Bombers

Bob's Definition:
I understand why they happen, but in my opinion and using my personal morals these things are wrong and don't do anything to help peace efforts. Nothing justifies killing innocent civilians. I think they put Palestinians in a very bad light with the international community. You may not be aware however, that often the target of a suicide bomber is a bus filled with soldiers or an illegal settlement in the West Bank or Gaza Strip. Not always, but sometimes. Remember also that Israel has F16 fighter jets, Apache attack helicopters, hundreds of tanks, armored personnel carriers, and heavy arms. Palestine has none of that. And evidently there was a big Palestinian non-violent peace movement during the first intifada, but the international community did not notice and did not care. A suicide bomber draws international attention in a big way, even if it is negative attention.

A Better Definition from Americans for Middle East Understanding:
Suicide Bomber. Often used by the Western media to describe a Palestinian who detonates explosives strapped to his or her body. Such a Palestinian does not see this as an act of suicide, which is prohibited by Islam. Rather, it is seen as a legitimate means of defense on the part of an occupied people and, as such, worthy of Islam’s most exalted honor, that of martyr. Palestinians speak of a “martyrdom operation” as opposed to “suicide bombing."

Martyr (in Arabic, Shadid). In religious terms, a witness to one’s faith, including one who witnesses with his or her death (martyrdom). In political terms, one who dies in the struggle for freedom and is honored as a hero.