Countering Palestinian Terrorism in Israel: Toward a Policy Analysis of Countermeasures

摘要

This Note suggests an approach for the policy analysis of countermeasures taken by Israel against Palestinian terrorism. 'Palestinian terrorism' here stands for Palestinian acts of low-level violence, for a political purpose, with the intent to inflict casualties and damage upon Israeli society, as well as fear and rage, and by so doing inciting Israel to react. Part One includes an historical analysis of Palestinian violence and Israeli countermeasures between 1919 and 1978; three periods of Palestinian terrorism are discussed: 1919-1948: Terrorism inflicted by local Arab groups against the growing Jewish population (the 'Yishuv') in British-mandated Palestine. The violence was motivated mainly by the goal to deny the Zionists' political aspirations, rather than to promote Palestinian national goals. 1949- 1956: Acts of terrorism along the 1948 armistice lines, inflicted by Fedayeen groups infiltrating from Jordan (West Bank) and Egypt (Gaza Strip). The infiltrations were backed and supported by Jordan and Egypt as part of the military conflict. No particular Palestinian national aspirations and goals were involved at this stage. 1965-Present: Palestinian terrorism, carried out by a number of Palestinian groups, as part of the armed struggle of the Palestinians aiming at 'liberating Palestine' and establishing a Palestinian state, which would replace the State of Israel, and also include the West Bank and Gaza.