A Comparative Study of Lebanese and Palestinian Perceptions of Suicide Bombings: The Role of Militant Islam and Socio-Economic Status

Abstract

In the present study I compare public views regarding suicide bombings using data from two surveys of Palestinian refugees living in southern Lebanon (N = 342) and Lebanese Muslims (N = 553) administered during the summers of 2002 and 2003 respectively. The data reveal that approval of suicide operations is more pronounced among Lebanese than Palestinians. These findings hold even after controlling for individual socio-economic and demographic characteristics. For both populations, support for suicide attacks is more evident among women than men. Among Lebanese, support for suicide attacks is also a function of low income and among Palestinians, a function of residence in camps. For both samples, the most important determinant of support for suicide attacks is attachment to political Islam. The greater the commitment to political Islam the more likely respondents are to endorse suicide activities. It should be noted however, that the impact of political Islam is more evident among Palestinians than Lebanese.

On Being ‘Frank’ about Terrorism

“…Oliverio: On Being 'Frank' about Terrorism One dominant representation of terrorism today, for example, involves demonstrating the relationship between religion and terrorism. Indeed, the 'new wave' of terrorism sweeping the world today is viewed as resulting from religious fanaticism (Emerson, 2002;Esposito, 2002;Haddad, 2004;Juergensmeyer, 2002;Stern, 2003). So, why not call it 'religious fanaticism' rather than terrorism?…”

“…Also, because the number of female terrorists is indeed low compared to men, there is a lack of quality research in the area and stereotypes abound regarding what motivates women to become terrorists. However, interest in female terrorist activity is re-emerging as their role in the jihad is being re-considered and reinterpreted by Islamic scholars, either with respect to their own participation or encouraging their children to take on suicide missions (Cunningham, 2005;Haddad, 2004;Monshipouri and Karbasioun, 2003).…”

Who justifies attacks on civilians? Analysis of attitudes toward terrorism based on value surveys

“…Again, these results vary across countries. Haddad (2004), who relies on survey data from Lebanon to assess Palestinian refugees' and Lebanese Muslim perceptions of suicide bombings, also finds that support for suicide attacks is stronger among women than men. Yet, unlike other papers in this literature, this paper finds that support for terrorist attacks is stronger among low-income Lebanese people, Palestinians living in camps and therefore experiencing hardship, and among people committed to their beliefs as part of political Islam.…”

A Cultural‐Psychological Theory of Contemporary Islamic Martyrdom

“…Palestinian groups such as Hamas, Fatah, and Islamic Jihad recruit male and female volunteers, who often use explosive belts strapped to their bodies, detonating them in highly frequented public places in the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and within other areas of Israel. Among all Palestinians, those who mainly approve and support these operations live in refugee camps and adhere to a political Islam (Haddad, 2004). Between 1993 and 2004, 139 Islamic martyrdom attacks have been carried out against Israelis; this figure does not include failed attacks, e.g., those attackers caught by the Israeli security forces (Yom & Saleh, 2004).…”