Pros and Cons of Martyrdom Operations (Al-Amaliyat Al-Istishhadiya) in the Palestinian Society

Abstract

This study explores the Palestinian martyrdom operations (Al-Amaliyat Al-Istishhadiya) between support and opposition. There are three main attitudes regarding the Palestinian martyrdom operations: support; against, while there are some calls for the rationalized of this phenomenon. The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) has double standards: on one hand stresses the legal of Palestinian resistance to shake off the occupation, on the other hand condemns some martyrdom operations. The majority of the Palestinian street supports the martyrdom operations, as a national struggle against the Israeli occupation. Moreover, findings showed that martyrdom had become part of the Palestinian culture, which produced a large numbers of suicide martyrs (Istishhadiyin).

Keywords: Martyr, Suicide, Istishhady, Conflict, Palestine