Tom Friedman, writing about the Sri Lanka conflict, notes that one of the key factors in halting the Tamil suicide bombings was the Tamil diaspora's rejection of the tactic, ceasing their funding of the terrorist Tigers, and instead supporting moderates representatives of the Tamil community. In contrast, supporters of the Palestinians are still acting as forces of radicalization, not moderation.
Unfortunately, in the Middle East Arabs and Muslims continue to indulge, justify, praise or provide religious legitimation for Palestinian suicide bombers, even after 9/11. The Palestinians have convinced themselves, with the help of many Arabs and Europeans, that their grievance is so special, so enormous that it isn't bound by any limits of civilized behavior, and therefore they are entitled to do whatever they want to Israelis.
The problem, therefore, is not left-wing support for the Palestinians, it is unconditional left-wing support for the Palestinians. If instead, they sent a different message - that international support for Palestinian statehood is very much dependent upon a rejection of violence - that Hamas is a enemy of mankind, not just Israel - the Palestinians might choose to follow the path of Sari Nusseibeh rather than Sheik Yassin.
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