Palestinian terrorism

The expression Palestinian terrorism is commonly used to indicate terrorist acts committed by some Palestinians and Palestinian organizations, usually against Israelis, but occasionally against nationals of other countries, often Jews.

Some examples of such organizations include the military wings of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, all of which are listed as terrorist organizations by the United States and the European Union.

The moral justification of the Palestinian attacks is often argued over, but it is generally agreed that regardless of justification, these attacks do indeed constitute terrorism, as they involve the death of civilian non-combatants in order to create a public fear or uproar in the furtherance of political goals.

Close to 800 Israeli civillians of all ages and all political associations have been killed by Palestinian terrorists since the signing of the Oslo Accords in 1993. Common targets of terrorist attacks include restaurants, discotheques, shopping malls, flea-markets, buses, universities and civilian homes (especially those in the settlements).

Several polls have shown widespread Palestinian public support for acts of violence against Israeli civillians, as part of what they consider legitimate resistance. The Palestinian Authority has had little effect in curbing either the violence or in trying to reduce Palestinian public support for acts of violence against Israeli civilians. Some accuse the Palestinian Authority and its elected head Arafat of deliberately not doing either.

There are also several Israeli terrorist groups, but most are minuscule, have managed to create very limited damage and are hunted constantly by Israeli police, military, and national security bodies (such as the Shin Bet). In contrast to Palestinian terorist groups, they enjoy very little public support, and their supporters are banned from public office in Israel. See Kahanism for an example of a fringe Israeli terrorist group.

More controversial is the issue of whether some or many Israeli governmental actions constitute what is sometimes known as "state terrorism." See Israeli terrorism for further discussion.

See Also: Terrorism against Israel