Abstract:

Talk of legitimisation has emerged amidst the phenomenon of Palestinian «martyrs». This is the work of the kamikazes themselves and their organisations, but it can also be found among the Palestinian people. These murderous suicides have been called the « poor man’s nuclear weapon », the aim of which is to reverse an unfavourable balance of forces. Their legitimisation is in keeping with a now sacred national struggle. Unlike during the first intifada, which is now seen as a setback, young Palestinians no longer believe in the short term success of this national struggle and see no way out of their worsening situation. Choosing martyrdom is for some a way of side-stepping this desperation by placing themselves in a greater temporality,where victory becomes certain through jihad.

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