The impact of Palestinian terrorism on the Arab/Israeli conflict.

Abstract

In recent years the PLO has deemphasized its use of terrorism internationally and is attempting to cultivate a respectable political image. The PLO has already accomplished its goal of recognition for its cause by the use of terrorism. As recognition increases a radical group's use of terrorism will probably decrease. However, the success of one group, utilizing terrorism, will encourage other groups to emulate the same method. Such is the case today in which dozens of radical groups have turned to the use of terrorism to capture the world headlines and publicize their causes. This dissertation examines the problem of terrorism by focusing on a case study of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), which is the largest and most organized of the terrorist groups today. The study examines in detail the PLO's use of terrorism, its objectives, and its strategies and tactics which have evolved and changed in response to the counterterrorism tactics employed against it. The study then focuses on the responses of the Israelis to counter and defeat the PLO and the ramifications of their responses, both tactical and political. The Israelis have been successful in countering the PLO militarily but have had to pay a high price politically for their military successes.