Suicide Terrorism and Its Impact on the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict

Suicide terrorism was introduced to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in 1994 by the Palestinian militant organization Hamas. There was an average of 4 to 5 suicide attacks per year over the next few years until an exponential increase in 2001 led to a peak of 44 suicide attacks against Israeli targets in 2002. Although the number of suicide attacks has come down since then, the effects of suicide terrorism on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict have lingered, if not intensified. Israeli security measures imposed to curb suicide terrorism have been arguably successful and can be credited for the decline in suicide attacks since 2002. The motivation for Palestinian terror organizations to carry out suicide terrorism against Israel has, however, remained high. This is linked to the increase in support from the Palestinian public for violence against Israel as Palestinian perception of Israeli high-handedness in responding to suicide attacks led many to lose hope in the peace process. Suicide terrorism has undermined the position of nationalist Palestinian groups actively seeking a peaceful settlement with Israel. At the same time, it has weakened international sympathy for the plight of the Palestinian people and given Israel legitimacy for some kind of violent response. Rejectionist Palestinian militant groups have successfully used suicide terrorism to prevent a peaceful resolution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.