expatriates, to understand the phenomenon of suicide bombings that
tragically arises from the deep misery and torment of many
Palestinians. For how else can one explain it? When healthy,
beautiful, and intelligent young men and women set out to kill and be
killed, something is basically wrong in a world that has not heard
their anguished cry for justice. These young people deserve to live
along with all those whom they have caused to die. This article is,
therefore, addressed to all people of conscience urging them to work
for a speedy termination of the illegal occupation of the Palestinian
territories. Such an act will, most certainly, bring this tragic
phenomenon of suicide bombing to an end and ensure security for both
Israel as well as Palestine, Lebanon, Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan etc.
These young people were not born "terrorists". No one is born a
terrorist. They were born in the image and likeness of God. They were
born human beings with love of life and freedom. All of them, with no
exception, were born under the Israeli military occupation. The only
Jews they knew were Israeli soldiers carrying guns and dehumanizing
them. It was in the crucible of the occupation that they were shaped
and formed. And if Israel labels them as terrorists, they are, after
all the product of its own making.
Moreover, these young Palestinians did not blow themselves up because
they simply wanted to commit suicide. Before 1993, they were resisting
the occupation of their country through the traditional methods
available to them. All they wanted was the end of the occupation and
the establishment of their own state along side the state of Israel.
However, with increasing Israeli oppressive and punitive measures
against them -- the use of helicopter gun ships to assassinate
Palestinian leaders, F-16 fighter planes to kill people and destroy
homes, the mushrooming of military checkpoints to control and
humiliate people, closures and siege of Palestinian cities and towns,
army incursions into Palestinian areas, and much more -- suicide
bombings came to be perceived as a more potent tool of resistance that
can reciprocate the pain and hurt they were experiencing. And as they
were driven deeper into despair, their desire to hit back in any way
possible grew in intensity. From a Palestinian perspective, therefore,
the real sequence of the cycle of resistance has been this: Israeli
occupation, Palestinian resistance, greater Israeli oppressive
measures, and greater attempts on the Palestinian side to increase the
resistance, and the vicious circle goes on.
Besides the basic political injustice and the oppressiveness of the
occupation, there are four major areas that constitute the breeding
ground for suicide bombers. To begin with, many young men have become
permanently unemployed. Even when other older men were able to find
employment within the pre-1967 borders in Israel, most young men were
barred from entering because Israel considered them a security risk.
During the second intifada, the unemployment rate soared to an
alarming 75% in some quarters. This led to the fact that approximately
65% of the Palestinian population was living below the poverty line.
It has been extremely difficult for many people to find any form of
work. Unemployment creates frustration and despair, and could lead to
extreme action.
Moreover, it is the young men more than others who are humiliated,
harassed, and provoked by the Israeli soldiers. Some of the worst
humiliation takes place at checkpoints. The occupied areas have become
infested with them. Some reports have mentioned more than 180. Many of
them have become permanently fixed, others are arbitrarily mounted at
whim. The occupied territories have been literally segmented into
numerous small cantons where it is impossible to move from one area to
another without running into military checkpoints. It takes hours to
pass through areas that normally take a few minutes. Humiliation is
perhaps one of the worst methods used by Israel to dehumanize the
Palestinians. It is clearly a policy that strips people of their self
worth and dignity. It is directed at all echelons and age groups of
Palestinian society.
Furthermore, there is hardly any Palestinian family in the West Bank
and the Gaza Strip that has not experienced some kind of pain or
injury. Many families have lost their loved ones - a spouse, a
sibling, a child, a relative, or a close friend. The level of
bitterness and hatred keeps rising daily. Almost every aspect of
Palestinian life is controlled by the Israeli army and many people
have lost the ability to dream of a better future or envisage a better
life. Therefore, the desire to avenge their wasted life, take revenge
against the occupation, and at the same time take away with them as
many Israeli lives as possible becomes an objective.
There is another group of young Palestinian men and women that must be
mentioned. Many of these have been arrested and tortured in Israeli
prisons and "concentration" camps. In fact, Israeli prisons have
become the "factories" for creating and "manufacturing" collaborators.
Young men are detained for indefinite periods of time and are
pressured into becoming spies and collaborators. They are simply
trapped and some of them do not know how to shake it off. This
phenomenon causes some of them to exist in constant self-contempt and
scorn for having betrayed their own people. Forced collaboration has
stripped them of their self worth. They are ready to become suicide
bombers in order to purify and redeem themselves and express their
utmost loyalty and patriotism for their country and people.
To sum up, these young people's daily life has become an experience of
death. It is vividly symbolized in the daily funerals of their
colleagues that they have to attend. Indeed, many of them feel that
Israel has practically pronounced a death sentence on them. It is only
a matter of time. Death is surely coming to them whether through a
slow economic strangulation, or harsh political negation, or daily
personal dehumanization. Since they have been stripped of their human
dignity, their only possibility for existence is to exist as slaves
under an Israeli apartheid system of domination. They feel they have
no options and very little to lose. Consequently, they are willing to
give themselves up for the cause of God and the homeland (watan)
believing that with God there is so much to gain.
From the perspective of those who believe in and carry out these
suicide operations, there is a simple and plain logic. As Israeli
soldiers shell and kill Palestinians indiscriminately, Palestinian
suicide bombers strap themselves with explosives and kill Israelis
indiscriminately. They perceive every Israeli as the enemy who has
robbed them of their land and is responsible for their misery. If
Israel can carry its incursions with the most sophisticated
American-made war machinery, the Palestinians carry out their
resistance with even the most elementary crude homemade explosives. If
Israel drives its tanks to destroy and devastate Palestinian areas,
the suicide bombers use their own bodies as tanks and shells to
destroy and devastate Israeli areas. If the oppressors have the heart
(or should one say lose the heart) to kill women and children and to
make the life of Palestinians miserable, the suicide bombers are not
going to spare Israeli lives as well.
Moreover, Sharon has insisted repeatedly that Israel is involved in a
war with the Palestinians. In war, soldiers give themselves up on
behalf of their country whether their country is the aggressor or
fending aggression. Officially speaking, some countries argue that the
Palestinian suicide bombers are not proper soldiers that belong to an
internationally recognized state and their resistance, therefore,
cannot be considered legitimate. Some Palestinians would, however,
argue that if what is going on is a war as Israel claims it is, then
in war the whole nation is mobilized and different militia groups
become engaged in resisting the occupation of their country as
happened in France during the 2WW. Furthermore, in war, most armies
and militias do not always comply with codes of war ethics and many
civilians as well as military are killed. Some have argued that the
suicide bombers are also fighting a war and killing as many of the
enemy as they can so that the psychological warfare can create panic
and fear as well as contribute to weakening and capitulation. In this
same vein, how does one view the US atomic bombing of two major cities
in Japan during the 2WW and the killing of over 170,000 most of them
civilians?
The militants go on to argue that what they are doing is precisely
like a soldier in battle who carries a heroic act by storming a club
within a military camp and blowing himself up killing soldiers as well
as women and children who happen to be enjoying a party. If one looks
at it in this context of warfare, then it happens all the time. No war
has been free from such acts and its actors were labeled heroes and
were awarded medals posthumously. They were not called terrorists. In
the West such acts are deemed heroic, but in Islam, due to the close
ties between God and country, they are given a religious character and
the people involved are considered "shuhada" (martyrs); their act is
martyrdom and its prize is paradise rather than a human military
medal. When one considers it from this angle, then being engaged in
war and the defense of one's homeland, these militants would argue,
the suicide bombings could be a legitimate way of resistance.
Shamai Leibowitz on June 27, 2002 wrote a letter entitled, "An Israeli
Officer's Response To President Bush". He introduced himself in the
following way, "I am an Orthodox Jew and a criminal defense attorney
in Tel Aviv. I am also a tank gunner in reserve duty, and part of a
group of 1000 soldiers who have refused to serve in the occupied
territories. Many of them were imprisoned in military jails in the
past few months." Then he added the words, "Now that President Bush
has enlightened us with his new 'Plan' for the Middle East, we can
only wonder how long it will take him to realize that his plan is
useless and meaningless..". "His [Bush's] failure to understand that
no progress can be made while a whole nation [Palestinian] is being
brutally occupied is the basic flaw in this policy.. Bush fails to
comprehend that the suicide bombings are a product of mass starvation
and humiliation of the Palestinian people. Bush's aides are doing us
so much harm by refusing to acknowledge that only an immediate end to
the Israeli occupation will bring an immediate end to the Palestinian
uprising."....but, what Mr. Shamai Leibowitz fails to comprehend, since
"We are now witnessing a situation in which 3.5 million people have no
future, no hope, no vision, other than to become terrorists and avenge
the continued harassment and shelling by the Israeli army's
helicopters, tanks and artillery. While Bush has never set foot in
this region, we have been living here, watching how the Palestinians
were trampled and denied basic rights on a daily basis, besieged and
occupied in every possible way. Our Jewish sources teach us that where
there is no justice, there is no peace.. Most Israelis know deep in
their hearts that once we stop humiliating and oppressing this nation,
we will return to become a safe and secure democratic Israel living
next to a viable Palestinian State.".
Although some people in our Palestinian community admire the sacrifice
of the suicide bombers and view it as the penultimate in the offering
of oneself for the sake of the homeland and the liberation of the
people; and although we understand its deeper motivation and
background, we condemn it from both our position of faith as well as a
legitimate method for resisting the occupation....
Ultimately, there cannot be room for hate if we want to live together.
And live together we must. The sooner we put an end to the occupation
the better our life will be. Ending the occupation will certainly end
the suicide bombings. All peace-loving people, whether people of faith
or not, must exert greater concerted effort to work for the ending of
the occupation. Ultimately, justice will prevail, the occupation will
be over, and the Palestinians, as well as the Israelis, will enjoy
freedom and independence....
--
I have only one slight error made possibly unconsciously by Naim and that using the term "militant" after the Israel/Jewish media in the United States of America. Naim could have put in quotation as "militants" to indicate what the Israeli/Jewish media terms, or used the term "defenders" to indicate that these suicide bombers are defending their people and country. This article adds credibility to the concepts used on suicide bombings as poor man's, deprived man's, only man's, oppressed man's means of defending against Imperialism and Zionism when this man's back is against the wall....
Ils sont des hommes qui se sont voués à Dieu et à la vérité
Notre Christ est né de nouveau
Notre Messie a ressuscité
Dr William Nassar **
Camarade Ismail Haniyeh
Nous le déclarons tel qu'un défi: Notre Christ est né de nouveau...
Allez l'annoncer, plein vos hautes voix, aux Etats Unies De l'Amérique, à Israël, à Housni Moubarek, à Mahmoud Abbès et, en particulier, aux mercenaires de Dahlan et aux prêtres du sang dans tous les coins du monde…
Notre Messie est de nouveau né...
Jetez la nouvelle puis reculez...
Laissez la s'exploser entre eux et de loin, regardez leur tumulte s'accroitre.
Ils allaient émettre une déclaration au nom de l'ONU déniant la nouvelle complotée et affirmant que le nommé Jésus Christ, Le Messie, était crucifié depuis deux milles années et qu'il était élevé aux Cieux...
Ils allaient s'appeler les uns les autres à une réunion d'urgence demandant aux héritiers de Jésus et aux curateurs de sa succession de dénoncer et censurer cette naissance, tout en la qualifiant de truc impromptu motivé par de méchants de l'extérieur.
Cependant, soyez certains que vous avez vaincu tout le monde et que notre Messie est né bien que les bandits aient bien scellé son sépulcre surveillé par des gardes de Haganah et des forces formées en Amérique, distribuées sur tous les barrages et les chemins qui mènent à lui.
L'homme palestinien, le brun de Bethlehem, le nouveau marié d'El Nassira (Nazareth) est né couronné de splendeur et d'indignation, ceinturé/ enceints des bombes et entourés de tous ses disciples: les suspects, les exilés, les étrangers, les réfugiés et les gamins des ruelles.
Notre Messie est de nouveau né et il a immédiatement rejoint sa position spécifié dans les camps de la bande de Gaza.
Ne vous étonnez pas, rien en lui n'a changé!
Il est encore un pur palestinien cananéen, et il excelle à l'incitation révolutionnaire. Et il mange avec ses mains sans fourchettes ni couteau.
Il est encore modeste et brave jusqu'aux os mais il se fâche chaque fois qu'il voit un gros ventre ou entend quelqu'un parlant d'une langue autre que l'arabe en sa présence.
Nous lui avons présenté le programme de la résistance, et il l'a approuvé et nous a appelé à l'exécuter rapidement.
Il a ajouté que les rumeurs concernant sa docilité et son pacifisme ne sont que mensonges et calomnies faisant tort à son histoire politique. Il a aussi insisté pour nous réciter quelques uns de ses discours instigateurs en Palestine.
Nous lui avons demandé des nouvelles de Yahya Ayyach, Imad Aqel, Wadi' Haddad, Abou Ali Mostafa, Jamel Abd Ennacer, Yasser Arafat, Ahmed Yassine, Abd El Aziz El Rantissi, "Saddam Husseïn" et tous nos martyrs bien-aimés qu'on avait, traîtreusement, assassinés…
Il nous a prévenu qu'il les a réveillés/ ressuscités lors de sa renaissance et aucun des absents qui s'étaient soudés avec la terre n'est plus captif de la mort.
Il ne reste plus, nous a-t-il dit, que quelques généralités qu'il a dictées en tant que Chef suprême de la Résistance:
Primo: Je suis Jésus Christ Le Messie, la vérité, la vie et la lumière et j'assure que je ne suis point le bien des chrétiens ni leur monopole. Je suis un bien commun de tous les pauvres qui me sont parvenus pour jeter leurs fardeaux accablants. Tout égorgé ou bien expatrié, tout exilé ou bien réfugié, tout pourchassé est mon camarade et tout ceux qui cherchent justice et paix sont mes frères, mes amis et mes compagnons des chemins.
Deuxièmement: J'ordonne que le christianisme doit sortir des églises pour joindre les fosses des assoiffés de la liberté, de la vérité et de la lumière étincelante et c'est pour cette raison que la prière à l'intérieur des murs des églises n'est plus admise.
Priez et chantez vos psaumes tout en combattant et défendant la cause de Dieu, en réalisant le rêve et en lui offrant vie et sang.
Troisièmement: Je ne suis pas venu au monde pour jeter la paix, mais pour dégainer l'épée. Persévérez dans votre combat, et faites taire ceux qui ne cessent pas de se gargariser de l'amour et de la paix alors qu'ils ne sont que fils des ténèbres et de l'impétueuse haine.
Quatrièmement: je ne vais pas rester pour longtemps parmi vous car je vais joindre les phalanges de Ez Eddine El Kassam à Gaza et je vais commencer à me préparer pour la résistance secrète de la Palestine parce que je ne suis au début et en fin de compte qu'un fugitif hors ma patrie et un membre secret des groupes de libération.
Ne dissimulez pas ce que vous venez d'apprendre de son avènement et répandez la nouvelle… Annoncez qu'il est ressuscité encore plus plein d'hostilité pour l'Amérique, Israël et leurs esclaves depuis Mahmoud Abbas jusqu'à Dahlan jusqu'au plus grand des rois et que son système politique est devenu si éclatant qu'il allait soulever maintes difficultés.
Notre Messie est né, le Messie des patriotes arabes, musulmans et chrétiens. Et alors que tu sois le bienvenu, frère et ancien camarade des guerres sacrées…Avec notre grand amour et fierté, nous allons t'élever sur les fronts et entre les yeux et nous allons les suspendre sur la planche: ces pillards et fils des vipères!!!!!
Dr. William Nassar .. Auteur Compositeur musicien et coordonnateur général du Comité supérieur de Jérusalem la capitale de la culture arabe 2009 en dehors de la Palestine occupée...-
