The tragic death of Shireen Abu Akleh is another of the multitude of instances in which Palestinians harm themselves through violence. Once again they have played into Israel’s hands through this self-defeating, non-pragmatic “strategy.” To wit: had some Palestinians not fired their weapons, Israel could not so easily deflect claims that an Israeli bullet killed the journalist. By so doing, the Palestinian militants made it simple for the Israeli Prime Minister to insinuate that a stray Palestinian bullet killed Abu-Akleh (see Jonathan Cook article, June/July 2022, paragraph 5).
The right of systematically oppressed people to resist by any means short of terrorism is unquestionable. But violence against Israel’s military clearly is futile, and Israel’s ability to pin the blame for Palestinian casualties on Palestinian violence renders that form of resistance not only ineffective but also self-defeating. The only hope for Palestinians is to steadfastly bear the cross of non-violent resistance. Israel probably will continue to “crucify” many who dare to do so, but it will then become crystal clear to the international community that savage Israeli repression – not Palestinian violence - is responsible for those homicides.
This is not to tell the Palestinians what to do: some already realize that disciplined non-violent resistance is their only way to salvation. One only hopes that their view soon will become the consensus.
Gregory DeSylva
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