There is a "higher purpose" behind suicide terror attacks, says PA TV

Program: Circle of Events

Guest: Samih Shbeib, Political writer and commentator.

Guest: “We tried different forms of resistance … In the past we have used all the means – some military, blowing up buses, Martyrdom-seeking operations and suicide attacks. The first suicide attack was on March 13, 1974 - the Al-Khalisa mission (i.e., terror attack in Kiryat Shmona, 18 Israelis were murdered.)”

Host interrupts:

“Let’s call this an act of self-sacrifice this at least is more suitable…”

Guest: “Let me clarify something about the history. The first operation was in Al-Khalisa, the faction that carried it out called it a ‘suicide attack’, and I witnessed this… And why do we call it ‘suicide’? Because hope of survival is close to zero. These Martyrsagreed to this, and this is their bravery.”

Host: “Alright, still perhaps [the term] ‘Martyrdom seeking’ [operation] is better. The topic of ‘suicide attacks’ - in quotation marks – the Americans and Israelis, in particular, tried to depict it as if the person has no value for his life, and as if the basic intention is to kill himself and kill people and that there is no higher purpose behind this action.”