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David Frankfurter brought his family to Ra'anana, Israel from their native Sydney, Australia in 1992. He is a business consultant, corporate executive and writer who frequently comments on the Middle East conflict.
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By David Frankfurter
September 24, 2004
Terrorist Zainab Ali Issa Abu Salem intended to kill innocent civilians at a Jerusalem bus stop and soldiers' hitch-hiking post. The alertness of two young Israeli soldiers straight out of basic training reduced the damage to 'mere' injuries - and cost them their lives as she blew herself to smithereens, taking them with her.
Reuven Koret raises some important questions to those (including President Bush) who see the suspicious questioning of Palestinians wishing to traverse Israel as "daily humiliation". As long as Palestinian terrorists breach the Geneva Conventions, hiding their evil behind civilian dress, in civilian populations and seemingly innocent and even humanitarian activities, the Israeli security forces will be forced to build fences, man roadblocks, delay ambulances and take all action necessary to protect its civilian population.
To demand less is to actively support murder. Stop terror and the Palestinian Arabs have the opportunity to set their own rules.
Of significant interest to me, though, is the background of the terrorist herself. Chosen by the Al-Aksa Martyrs Brigades for her youthful innocence, the young girl was dressed in traditional Muslim garb, in order to play on the sensitivities of any soldiers she may encounter. They know that Israelis are reticent to stop and search women -- especially religious women who are shrouded in apparent modesty.
While no motivation for her deed has yet been reported, her short biography, reported in Israeli newspaper Yediot Aharonot, raises eyebrows. Zainab was pretty, 18 years old, intelligent and just out of high school. One of 10 children, her home was the Askar "refugee camp" near Nablus, where she lived with her wealthy family -- who own a local Palestinian television station. She had spent the last three months - her break between high school and higher studies -- fulfilling the dream of many teenagers.
She had become a television star. A presenter on a children's show broadcast by her parents' TV station. How she was recruited, what pressures were brought to bear, what indoctrination she received in school -- at this stage are all matters of speculation.
Could it be that she simply internalized the messages in video clips encouraging children to terror on Palestinian TV? Sadly, whatever led her to the deed, Palestinian children have been given yet another role model to be hero worshipped and emulated. Something that will no doubt be reinforced in every re-run of their favorite TV show.
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