When Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad defined terrorism as attacks on civilians, and included Palestinian suicide bombers as terrorists in the 57-nation Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) here, he was right though his definition did not go down well with many of the Middle Eastern countries represented at the meeting as reported in US hails M'sia for support in war on terror (April 15).

The fact that Mahathir was later quoted by the official Bernama news agency as saying it was legitimate in some circumstances (like in the case of Palestinian suicide bombers) to use terror tactics in response to Israeli terrorism only shows this was stated purely for domestic consumption to assuage the feelings of his constituency that has nothing to do with the language of international diplomacy for international forums.

In an international forum like the United Nations any definition of terrorism that excludes suicide bombing as that finally declared by the majority of Middle Eastern countries represented in OIC will gain no acceptance and credibility because, objectively, whatever one's ideological and religious leanings, suicide bombing is terrorism as stated by PM!

What then is terrorism? The question sparks debates among states often influenced by their interests than truth.

While it is open-ended and difficult to encapsulate in one sentence, the concept of terrorism is best described as carrying the following attributes and features:

  • It uses premeditated violence weaker and oppressed Palestinians — just because it is carried forth under the banner of religion — is a major strategic mistake of response especially against a militarily stronger Israeli government and military establishment.

    • Pressure will be brought to bear by the international community on Israel only if not only the ends, but the means adopted by the oppressed Palestinian refugees are just and supported by reason and a moral cause.

    No encouragement or concession will be given by a militarily stronger party like Israel to a "weaker" party that uses terrorist means to achieve a just end or objective because to do so will spawn a proliferation of even more criminal terrorist acts to be perpetrated whenever there is a perceived worthy righteous political or ideological goal to be pursued.

    In short, might cannot relent to force, especially indiscriminate. If at all there is any hope, might will relent ultimately only to right — the moral cause in relation to both ends and means.

    Now that even Palestinian Authority Chairperson Yasser Arafat has conceded to US Secretary of State Colin Powell that suicide bombings are terrorist acts, it has vindicated the prime minister's definition of terrorism and taken the rug under many of OIC members who dictated otherwise in their last meeting.