The Evolution of Terrorism As it Relates to the Israel & Palestinian Situation

What is Terrorism? “Terrorism is defined as undiscriminating attacks on civilians designed to break up the social fabric.” -- Dr. Henry Kissinger

Why have Palestinian radicals resorted to terrorism against Israel? After the 6 Day War, there was little belief that the neighboring Arab countries were ever going to defeat Israel and return the land to the Palestinians The PLO had no real political voice, or strength to aim for a peaceful, political solution The Palestinian people had rejected the partition plan, so they could not go to the UN for help The remaining options were to give up and accept their displacement as permanent, or to fight by any means they could to keep the dream alive

Phase One 1972 Munich Olympics 1976 Hijacking -- Entebbe Airport, Uganda

Phase Two – Leverage the Allies 1985 Cruise Ship Achille Lauro

Phase Three – “break up the social fabric” 1986 LaBelle Disco bombing (Libya) 1988 Pam Am Flight 103 bombing (Libya) 1993 World Trade Center bombing (Al-Qaeda) 1998 US Embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania (Al-Qaeda) 2000 USS Cole bombing in Yemen (Al-Qaeda) September 11 th, 2001 (Al-Qaeda)

A Few Famous Names Yassir Arafat – PLO Ayatollah Kohmenhi – Iran Moammar Qadaffi – Libya Sadam Hussein – Iraq Osama bin Laden – Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan Illich Ramirez Sanchez – Carlos “the Jackal”

What does terrorism achieve? Not much! Terrorism is nearly 100% ineffective Most countries won’t negotiate with, or give in to terrorists So why do people continue to try it? – Desperation – Poverty – Lack of hope or opportunity – They have nothing to lose