Use of violence as a political strategy
Question 1. (TCO 9) As the simulation shows, Muhammed’s father was killed by the
Israelis in their war of independence, as they attempted to defend their state and
enforce the b
...
Use of violence as a political strategy
Question 1. (TCO 9) As the simulation shows, Muhammed’s father was killed by the
Israelis in their war of independence, as they attempted to defend their state and
enforce the boundaries established by the UN. Although this was an international
decree, all Muhammed witnessed was his father’s death and the loss of his
family home as the land of his forefathers was taken to make room for what
many Palestinians viewed as the “occupiers.” If you were him, how would you
react? For example, would you blame the Israelis for hurting your father and
taking your land, and then pass on this hatred to your children so they would
know never to trust the Israelis? Would you seek revenge for your family and
people? Or is there a chance that you would accept the new conditions of the UN
resolution because it was in the best interest of the people of the world? What
about simply seeking strength in your religion and guiding your children away
from the hatreds of the past in an effort to protect them? Please put some
Answer:
If I were Muhammed I would obviously blame the Israelis for killing my father; however I
would not pass this hatred to my children taking into consideration the fact that the death of my
father was as a result of war. This was an act of war, the Israeli were fighting for their
independence and as hard as it might be I would accept the fact that in one way or the other, it
was a fight for freedom and we happened to be on the losing side. Knowing very well that
revenge will not be a means to an end but rather another start of a never ending war, I will
instead I would try as much as possible to lead my children away from such hatred because in
essence none knows how it started and neither were they there. Leading the young generation
away from such hatred is the only way for healing and forgiveness to be achieved.
Question 2: (TCO 9) Within the Israeli home, Ben knows from the horrors faced by his
parents what can happen when there is not a state of Israel in the world. He thus
supports his state and will do anything to defend its claim to this region. How does this
differ from Muhammed’s stance?
Answer:
The main difference between Muhammed and Ben’s stance is that while Muhammed would view
the situation as a case of Israeli unjustly taking their land and even killing his father and would
prefer to revenge, Ben views this situation as a case of self-defense against intruders
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