Attack on Americans hurts peace

Last Wednesday, three Americans were killed in the Gaza Strip in the first Palestinian terrorist attack specifically targeting American diplomats. The United Stated is rightfully outraged, and it's somewhat surprising to see the Palestinians being so foolish. Terrorist attacks have often served the Palestinians as useful political tools. In this case, however, it is difficult to imagine an attack more detrimental to the Palestinian cause.

You know you've hurt yourself when your greatest supporters start doubting you. The Europeans, rarely critical of Palestinian leadership, are suddenly more assertive than usual. "Condolences and emotion won't do, we need action," said EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, demanding that Arafat crack down on militants.

Why was this attack so detrimental to the Palestinian cause? Well, for starters, there is little doubt that the attack deliberately targeted an American vehicle. In addition, not just any Americans were targeted; they were government employees that were in the Gaza strip to interview Palestinian candidates for Fulbright scholarships for graduate study in the United States. Palestinian universities have been closed during the Intifada, so a Fulbright scholarship represents an incredible opportunity for any Palestinian. These Americans were offering fully-funded graduate studies in world-class universities. If Palestinians want a better future, why murder those offering such a future?

The Palestinians do have legitimate claims that deserve to be addressed by the international community. A solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict is long overdue. It's sad to see the Palestinians lose their chances for a just solution as they take up terror against those who can help them most, the Americans.

Recently, the Americans have been less than sympathetic to the Palestinian cause. The war on terrorism that the United States is waging bears significant similarity to the Israeli war on terrorist attacks, but little resemblance to the Palestinian experience of daily life in the West Bank and Gaza. This similarity between Israeli and American experiences then strengthens the already existing cultural bond and longtime friendship between the two nations.

The Palestinians are in dire need of creating similar bonds with the international community and Americans in particular. Sometimes, these bonds are formed — the horrifying picture of Muhammed Al-Dura will forever be ingrained in many minds, arousing worldwide sympathies with the Palestinian cause. This impression did not change even when doubt was raised as to whether it was an Israeli bullet that took Al-Dura's life. Heart and minds were won over.

Whereas that picture brought the Palestinians thousands of new sympathizers, this attack chases them away. There can be no worse political move than attacking Americans in Gaza; now, Americans not only sympathize with the Israelis' battle against Palestinian terrorism — they are engaged themselves in fighting the battle. The last thing the Palestinians will gain from ruthlessly murdering three American diplomats is sympathy.

The average American doesn't know too much about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Poignant images will hit home; they will scar American hearts and minds and shape American perceptions of the conflict. Not many Americans will forget the images of Palestinians dancing on the rooftops for Saddam Hussein during the Gulf War, or cheering in the streets after 9/11. Not many Americans will forget this attack either. It may well be that most Palestinians abhor 9/11 and disagree with the strategy of terrorizing Americans. Yet those who carried out these actions are causing irreversible damage to the Palestinian people and their legitimate demands. These images cannot disappear from American psyche.

There is little doubt the Palestinian leadership is aware of all of this, especially given its profuse apologies for Wednesday's attack. At the same time, the Palestinian leadership needs to realize that this attack demonstrates that its terrorist policies are simply not viable. Once terror is supported, the lines are very hard draw. When the Palestinian leadership condones the murder of Israeli civilians, it cannot control every Palestinian who might extend the policy to murdering Americans. Many Palestinians blame the U.S. for their condition nearly as much as they blame Israel; it is simply not a viable longterm policy to condone terrorism against Israelis but not against Americans. If Palestinians want the world to help them out of their miserable state and recognize their legitimate claims, they must give up terrorism altogether.

Karen Karniol-Tambour is a sophomore from Netanya, Israel.