Is Israel a Terrorist State?

First Published: 11th of May, 2021 by Patrick Carpen.

Yesterday, a friend of mine answered a yes/no question on Facebook: Is Israel a terrorist state? He answered “yes.” I clicked through to answer, but I couldn’t simply answer “yes” or “no.” The question as to whether Israel is a terrorist state or not is no yes/no question. It is much more complex than that.

The Israeli/Palestinian Trade War

Is there a trade war going on between Israel and Palestine like there is going on between the United States and China? Absolutely not. Israel and Palestine are not in a war of trade and commerce: theirs is a war of trading rockets and bombs. And these cousins seem to have no regard for the lives of innocent children.

Rockets over Religion

Muslims all over the world are observing their holy month of Ramadan – a month of prayer, fasting, and study of the Quran. But that doesn’t deter Israel and Palestine from carrying out warfare at a time when Muslims are anticipating Eid al Fitr – the Islamic festival marking the end of the month of Ramadan.

On Monday, May 10, 2021, Israeli warplanes hammered Palestine killing 24 people including nine children. This was in response to Hamas firing rockets into Israel injuring several people but killing none.

Whether this act by Israel was a terrorist act is not easy to answer. Israel had warned in the past that it is afraid of a war with Palestine because too many Palestinian civilians would die. Israel has repeatedly warned Hamas to desist from firing rockets into Israel. In bombing Palestine in this case, Israel was only seeking to deter dangerous rocket fire from Hamas, as it has every right to do. But the manner in which it executes the operation is one that terrorizes the people of Palestine. At the same time, it is only a means to an end. If Palestine does not feel the terror of the Israeli military, it will continue its terrorist acts of firing rockets into Israel. Before calling Israel a terrorist state, let’s take into consideration that, most, if not all, of the times, Israel had bombed Palestine in response to rocket attacks from Palestine or a terrorist group inside Palestine.

Further, before answering the question of whether Israel is a terrorist state, we must take into consideration the definition of terrorism and the Jewish perception of it. The Jews, of all people, have a glorious history in the battlefield. And from biblical times to now, they have been unmatched in military power and prowess. In the old testament of the bible for example, we read that:

“And the fame of David went out into all lands; and the LORD brought the fear of him upon all nations.”

1 chronicles 14:17 (KJV)

Let’s go back to the Torah, to the book of Deuteronomy. God tells the Jewish people while giving them instructions for military conquests:

Rise ye up, take your journey, and pass over the river Arnon: behold, I have given into thine hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land: begin to possess it, and contend with him in battle. This day will I begin to put the dread of thee and the fear of thee upon the nations that are under the whole heaven, who shall hear report of thee, and shall tremble, and be in anguish because of thee.

Deuteronomy 2: 24-25 (KJV)

In this case, we must understand that the Jewish context of terrorism is not the same as the rest of the world, and Jewish “terrorism” is not perceived the same as, for example, “Islamic” terrorism. The world is more sympathetic towards the Jewish people, and many “fear” that the Jews have divine favor as is evident from the many biblical prophecies that were fulfilled for the Jews. The idea by non-Jewish nations that the Jews are blessed and sanctified by God is referred to as “Zionism.” On the other hand, the Muslims believe that the God of Moses has finished with the Jewish people and established a new covenant with Muslims across the world through Prophet Muhammad.

In closing, let’s quote a Psalm from the one of the most iconic figures of Jewish History – David – who is also called, “God’s beloved,” and “a man after God’s own heart.”

Psalms 2 (KJV)

1Why do the nations rage,
And the people plot a vain thing?
2The kings of the earth set themselves,
And the rulers take counsel together,
Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,
3“Let us break Their bonds in pieces
And cast away Their cords from us.”

4He who sits in the heavens shall laugh;
The Lord shall hold them in derision.
5Then He shall speak to them in His wrath,
And distress them in His deep displeasure:
6“Yet I have set My King
On My holy hill of Zion.”

7“I will declare the decree:
The Lord has said to Me,
‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.
8Ask of Me, and I will give You
The nations for Your inheritance,
And the ends of the earth for Your possession.
9You shall break them with a rod of iron;
You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’ ”

10Now therefore, be wise, O kings;
Be instructed, you judges of the earth.
11Serve the Lord with fear,
And rejoice with trembling.
12Kiss the Son, lest He be angry,
And you perish in the way,
When His wrath is kindled but a little.
Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.