PRESS RELEASE

May 28, 05

Reality Checkpoint: An End to the Culture of Death?

As reported by Haaretz on May 30^th, PA President Mahmoud Abbas believes the era of suicide bombing to be over (Haaretz, Article 1190761). Considering the decrease in successful suicide attacks in recent years, his assumption is a reasonable one to make. However, it is critical to analyze the cause of this decrease. Two main factors influence the occurrence of suicide attacks: inability on the Israeli side to prevent them, and desire on the Palestinian side to commit such attacks.

Israeli ability to deter attacks has improved significantly since the peak of suicide bombings in 2002. Soft targets have become hard and casualty numbers have decreased. As a result, suicide bombing has become a less opportunistic tactic. While this decrease in suicide bombings is a welcome change, it is irresponsible to conclude that violent intentions have decreased altogether.

Mahmoud Abbas went on to say that, “…we stopped the culture of violence and the Palestinian people have started looking at it as something that should be condemned.” While PHRMG agrees that people have begun to condemn these activities, PHRMG disagrees that the culture of violence has been stopped.

On March 10^th, the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research conducted a public opinion poll in the West Bank and Gaza. The poll concluded that 29% of the population supported the suicide bombing in Tel Aviv. This polling included all adults. Support for the attacks was normally 5% higher in individuals between the ages of 18 and 25: the average age of suicide bombers. Although this is a dramatic decrease from the 77% who supported the Bir Shiba attack in August of 2004, the fact that 1/3 of the population remains supportive indicates that the culture of violence has not been eliminated.

In an independent survey of university students between the ages of 18 and 26 conducted by PHRMG this month, 76% do not believe that Palestinian goals of statehood can be achieved through non-violent means. 88% believe another wave of suicide attacks will occur if the current peace process fails, and 58% feel that more bombings now would help bring about an end to the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza.

These results suggest considerable continued support for violent activity. Support for suicide attacks may be decreasing, but the question of why that is should be raised. Do Palestinians view further violence as unethical, counterproductive, or ineffective? Apparently a few militant groups still consider violence as a powerful political tool. While Hamas has shown admirable progress in nonviolent political endeavors, others, namely Islamic Jihad, have blatantly demonstrated their acceptance of violence as a way to stall or end the peace process. The discovery of a suicide bomber on June 21, the day President Abbas met with Prime Minister Sharon, deliberately embarrassed the PA and made it impossible for Palestinians to speak without distraction about their intentions for peace. Islamic Jihad is struggling not for the Palestinian goal of statehood, but for something far less noble: political clout they have lost as Hamas has risen.

It is imperative during this opportunity for peace talks that the culture of violence truly be extinguished. In order to do this, the Palestinian Authority must recognize the fact that a significant portion of the population believes that continued violence will bring about peace. PHRMG calls on the PA to make clear in its statements that any violence during this time will only result in further setbacks to the peace process. Media outlets must take further measures not to condone propaganda that might incite or glamorize suicide attacks and to properly inform the public on the repercussions on Palestinians that result from violent attacks against the Israelis. More attention should be given to social and psychological programs that assist families who have been victims of the occupation and that work to prevent suicide attacks. PHRMG recognizes organizations such as the Treatment and Rehabilitation Center for Victims of Torture (http://www.trc-pal.org/) that has proven effective in social outreach programs throughout the West Bank, and the Gaza Community Mental Health Center (http://www.gcmhp.net/) which has conducted research into the social environments that encourage suicide bombers. Finally, Palestinian communities must acknowledge that their level of influence is as great as that of the PA and the Israelis in creating an atmosphere conducive to the development of a just peace.

This press release is based off of research conducted in a larger report on suicide attacks in Israel and Palestine. PHRMG will publish this report in the next few months.