MIDEAST PROFILE - THE CYCLE OF TERROR AND COUNTERTERROR (FROM INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM - HEARINGS BEFORE THE HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE ON THE NEAR EAST AND SOUTH ASIA, 93RD CONGRESS, 2ND SESSION, 1974 - SEE NCJ-63559)

• NCJ Number: 63566
• Author(s): J WOLF
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 7 pages
• Corporate Author: US Congress
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Legislative/Regulatory Material
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

FOCUSING ON THE CYCLE OF TERROR AND COUNTERTERROR IN THE MIDDLE EAST, THIS PAPER NOTES THE TERRORISTS' IDEOLOGY, ACTIVITIES, AND IMPACT, AS WELL AS ISRAELI COUNTERMEASURES.

Abstract

MILITANT PALESTINIANS ARE CONVINCED THAT A CAMPAIGN OF VIOLENCE AGAINST ISRAELIS IS THEIR ONLY ALTERNATIVE TO DISENFRANCHISEMENT. THEIR IDEOLOGY IS A MIXTURE OF MARXIST DOGMA AND URBAN GUERRILLA THEORIES OF CARLOS MARIGHELLA, THE BRAZILIAN REVOLUTIONARY. ADOPTING THE NOTION OF FRANTZ FANON WHO ENVISAGED AN ALLIANCE BETWEEN REVOLUTIONARIES AND THE IDLERS OF SOCIETY, PALESTINIANS HAVE JOINED WITH OTHER GROUPS WHO HAVE REAL OR SUPPOSED GRIEVANCES. IN COOPERATION WITH SUCH GROUPS AS THE JAPANESE RED ARMY, THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY, AND SANDANISTA GUERRILLAS FROM NICARAGUA, BLACK SEPTEMBER AND THE PALESTINE LIBERATION ORGANIZATION HAVE CONDUCTED A NUMBER OF SPECTACULAR TERRORIST ACTS IN ORDER TO INTIMIDATE THE WORLD COMMUNITY. THESE ACTS RAISE THE COSTS OF MAINTAINING THE STATUS QUO AND THUS FORCE CONCESSIONS. ISRAELI COUNTERMEASURES HAVE INCLUDED ATTACKS ON PALESTINIANS LIVING ABROAD AND RAIDS INTO LEBANON. HOWEVER, THE PALESTINIANS HAVE ACHIEVED THE UNIFICATION OF THEIR PEOPLE BEHIND THE GOAL OF ESTABLISHING A DEMOCRATIC STATE AND HAVE SENSITIZED MANY ISRAELIS TO THEIR PAINFUL HISTORY. IT IS UNLIKELY THAT ANY SETTLEMENT IN THE MIDDLE EAST WILL OCCUR WITHOUT PALESTINIAN PARTICIPATION. (WJR)