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A Comparative Study of Lebanese and Palestinian Perceptions of Suicide Bombings: The Role of Militant Islam and Socio-Economic Status

Notre-Dame University, Lebanon, shaddad{at}ndu.edu.lb

In the present study I compare public views regarding suicide bombings using data from two surveys of Palestinian refugees living in southern Lebanon (N = 342) and Lebanese Muslims (N = 553) administered during the summers of 2002 and 2003 respectively. The data reveal that approval of suicide operations is more pronounced among Lebanese than Palestinians. These findings hold even after controlling for individual socio-economic and demographic characteristics. For both populations, support for suicide attacks is more evident among women than men. Among Lebanese, support for suicide attacks is also a function of low income and among Palestinians, a function of residence in camps. For both samples, the most important determinant of support for suicide attacks is attachment to political Islam. The greater the commitment to political Islam the more likely respondents are to endorse suicide activities. It should be noted however, that the impact of political Islam is more evident among Palestinians than Lebanese.

Key Words: jihad • Lebanon • Palestinians • suicide bombings • terrorism

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