Misconception: The conflict between Israel and the Palestinians is based on a "cycle of violence", with each side retaliating to the other's attacks.  Acts of violence by the IDF and Palestinian terrorist groups are morally equivalent and should be regarded and dealt with as such.

Fact: Palestinian terrorist organizations perpetrate violence against innocent Israelis; the Israeli military takes responsive action to protect itself against further attacks. These measures have proven to be very effective. Approximately 70% of Israeli victims of terrorism are innocent civilians, due to an intentional policy of targeting noncombatants by terrorist organizations. Israel, on the other hand, when responding to these acts of terror does its best to avoid civilian casualties and target only those responsible.

A. Palestinian Organizations Instigating Violence

The second Intifada was started and led by the Palestinian Leadership. Riots and guerilla attacks on Israeli military and civilian positions were carried out according to plan. Whereas the first intifada was a more grass roots effort, the current uprising is orchestrated from the top down. It is the continual aggressive and deadly action ordered by the leaders of the Palestinian Authority and a number of terrorist organizations which fuel the violence. This is not an unbreakable cycle, if the terrorism ends, so will the killing on all sides. The Israeli defensive actions were initiated only after the outbreak of these orchestrated attacks and the refusal of a far reaching peace offer.

A frequent talking point for Palestinian spokespersons is that Israeli security checkpoints cause Palestinian humiliation and suffering, leading to terrorism. Yet the vast majority of roadblocks and security checkpoints were only put into place AFTER terrorist attacks to enhance security. It was terror against Israelis which led to the roadblocks, not the other way around. This is true not only for checkpoints but for the security fence as well. This fence is being erected as a response to terrorist activity and it is illogical to assume that it was cause of the very situation which it is attempting to eliminate.

In response to terrorist threats, America too has increased its security along the Canadian and Mexican borders. The increased security has inconvenienced millions of Canadians, Mexicans and Americans, disrupting business and social life, but North Americans understand and appreciate the added security; they do not respond to the inconvenience with terrorist attacks against Americans.

B. Intentional Murder vs. Collateral Damage

It is first and foremost necessary to acknowledge that the loss of life on either side of this conflict is equally tragic. The question being examined here does not explore which lives are worth more, simply the differences in the circumstances which led to these tradgedies.

Palestinian terrorists routinely attack the Israeli civilian population. Terror attacks very often occur against non-military targets such as civilian buses, cars, restaurants, shopping centers, nightclubs, schools, hospitals, etc. The vast majority of Israeli casualties during the period from 2000-present have been civilian (about 70%). The organizations carrying out these attacks have made it clear that every Israeli, be them man woman or child are a target. The intention of these terrorist attacks is hurt an innocent bystander. Again, while any loss of life is tragic, refusing to understand and properly categorize the reasons for the loss of Palestinian and Israeli lives is irresponsible and unproductive. The political and moral implications of intentionally targeting innocents in far different than the tragic loss of life accidentally at the hands of those trying to dismantle and destroy terrorist organizations These terrorist organizations add to the tradgedy by placing themselves within the civilians population- clearly violating internationally agreed upon laws or war- which were designed to minimize or avoid collateral damage.

Palestinian casualties are predominantly those directly involved in the perpetration of violence or terrorism. Those who have partaken in violent rioting or who have been involved in terrorist activities, are hardly innocent bystanders. Despite unavoidable disasters during a military confrontation, Israel takes stringent measures to ensure the fewest civilian casualties possible. The intention in Israeli military operations is to hunt down terrorists and remove their stranglehold on both the Palestinian and Israeli communities.

When tragic mistakes do occur, Israeli statesmen are quick to extend regret and responsibility without exception. This is in contrast to the reaction of Palestinian terrorist organizations which compete to take credit for each deadly suicide bomb.