Hamas-Jihad

Who were the suicide bombers in downtown Jerusalem?

Although personal information on the suicide bombers was not revealed, considering the recent Middle East political situation and the previous suicide bomb attacks, it is highly possible that they may be Palestinian youths.

Britain`s BBC said, "Suicide bombers are Palestinian men in their late teens and 20s. Suicide explosion is an expression of anger and despair."

According to BBC, suicide bombers do not consider suicide explosion as terrorist attacks, but as acts of `martyrdom`. Martyrs will have their sins forgiven according to the doctrine and will go to paradise.

Most of the bombers are said to have been trained by the Islamic `Hamas` and `Jihad`, which opposed to the peace negotiation with Israel. Hamas pick out the devoted youths from schools, mosques, and religious institutions, and arms them as `human bomb` through ideological education.

Recruits are reassured by their organization that their families will be looked after materially along with the grand funeral ceremony. Jihad is claiming that it has hundreds of suicide bombers.

This is why the West is criticizing Jihad for using Islam youths as hostages for political struggle.

Yoon Yang-Sup lailai@donga.com