Female Suicide Bombers

Female Suicide Bombers

Suicide bombers have become today's weapon of choice. Middle Eastern terrorists are

using suicide bombers because they are low cost, low technology, and a low risk weapon. Suicide bombers have also become readily available, requiring little training, leaving no trace behind, and strike fear into the general population. The success of suicide bombers depends upon an element of surprise, as well as acceptability to targeted area or populations. Both of these required fundamentals have been enjoyed by women suicide bombers. Female suicide bombers were used in the past; however, the recent spat of them in different venues and for different terrorist organizations has largely increased.

In order to understand what propels a woman to engage in violence during war, it is imperative to first understand the complexities of terrorism in the Arab - Israeli conflict, including its prehistoric history, and the roles women have played in warring relative to their cultural norms. There are several reasons that make women engage in this horrific act of violence but they can be counted down as being only a few. Hardly anyone would disagree that war is a heart-wrenching ordeal and that it brings dark anguish upon the people of the society being defended. Yet, war also has a flip side for those engaged in direct fighting as well as those witnessing it. War brings on feelings of exhilaration and states have come to view it as a natural and necessary endeavor that must be undertaken in order to maintain the survival of the nation (Elshtain 24).

Oddly enough, the emotions felt by militant Middle Eastern women as they do battle have been described as seductive, rebellious, exciting, sense of purpose, sense of freedom (Elshtain 42). Moreover, there is no shortage of romance for even during warring, women's femininity continues to lie deep within their spirits. Still they must project a strong persona, one who is just as capable as the men are. Repeatedly, combative women respond to their calling and they do it with remarkable charm and valor.

Women's roles in societies have customarily been distinguished from those of men. Their roles in warring also have been clearly delineated and boundaries unmistakably demarcated. Society, through its body of rules and its numerous institutions, has conventionally dictated their boundaries of militancy. Assisting in subordinate roles is always welcomed and encouraged. Actually fighting in the war is not. Yet women have demanded to be integrated in all aspects of war including frontline fighting.

The specifics behind what has driven Palestinian women to become engaged in acts of terrorism are indeed very complex. Palestinian female suicide bombers have deemed it critical to actively and personally declare war on Israel and on the chokehold they have on the Palestinians (Efrat 70). By blowing themselves up, they believe they contribute in the most honorable way possible to bringing down the enemy.

Since January, 2002, Palestinian women have heightened their involvement in the Israeli conflict by joining the ranks of men who use themselves as human bombs and commit acts of suicide bombings. While women commit these militant acts as an attempt to bring resolution to the struggle that is taking place, and not necessarily to break down gender roles, they have nonetheless found themselves challenging traditional standards that prohibit them from engaging in war affairs.

A suicide bomber, someone who is willing to die for a cause, is puzzling. What many people still do not know is what exactly a suicide bomber is. The Institute for Counter Terrorism (ICT) defined suicide bombings as an "operational method in which the very act of the attack is dependent upon the death of the perpetrator. The terrorist is fully aware that if she/he does not kill her/himself, the planned attack will not be implemented" (Waldman 45). The term "suicide bomber" is an emotionally laden term. Some even describe these individuals as "homicide bombers" or "suicide terrorists" to emphasize on the murder and terror brought about by this act. Others deem these individuals as "martyrs" who have solely died for their faith.

There are several main characteristics that female suicide bombers portray. An analysis of the female suicide bombers' characteristics, social backgrounds, and motives therefore reveal that most of them were pushed to the fringes of Palestinian society for violating a Muslim conservative strict code of conduct that is obligatory for Palestinian women. For some of the women, the motive was also vengeance for the death of relatives and loved ones killed in the course of the ongoing violent Palestinian-Israel conflict. In such cases, Palestinian women, both those who are said to be devoted to Islam and those who conduct more secular or free lifestyles, eventually become willing tools (victims) deadly human bombs exploited for the sake of the same Palestinian conflict (Stern 80). This aspect of the confrontation reflects the still rather inferior status of Palestinian women, especially those pushed by the fringes of the powerful Palestinian society, who are forced to perpetuate (or be involved) in the deadly attacks against Israel.

Another question that puzzles people: Why use suicide bombers? Terrorism has been defines as a synthesis of war and theatre. This descriptor aptly applies to female suicide bombings. Suicide bombing is used because it is first of all a simple and low cost operation that requires no escape route or rescue mission. It increases the likely hood of mass casualties and extensive damage since the bomber can choose the exact time, location, and circumstances of the attack. There is also no fear that terrorists will surrender important information because their deaths are certain. It also has an immense impact on the public and the media because it precipitates on overwhelming sense of helplessness.

It can be noted that suicide terrorism inflicts profound fear and anxiety and produces a negative psychological effect on an entire population and not just on the victims of the actual attack. Finally, a suicide bomber attracts wide media coverage and is seen as a news worthy event. Organizations which routinely use suicide bombers have utilized the notion of "martyrdom" and "self sacrifice" as a means of last resort against their conventionally more powerful enemies. These groups believe that suicide bombs are successful in bringing notice to their plight and contend that suicide bombers are the only effective weapons they have , in contrast to their enemies much larger wealth, weapons, soldiers and