Profile of Palestinian terrorists 9 Nov 2015
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Profile of Palestinian terrorists

  •   Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center
  • 11/25/2015
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    The Palestinian who most commonly carries out a terrorist attack in Israel, especially a stabbing attack, is generally male, between the ages of 17 and 19, unmarried, unknown to Israeli security, not affiliated with a terrorist organization.
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    Notice posted to the Palestinian social networks, reading "If you don't stand up for Jerusalem, who will?" features postings by terrorists who were killed carrying out stabbing attacks in Jerusalem Notice posted to the Palestinian social networks, reading "If you don't stand up for Jerusalem, who will?" features postings by terrorists who were killed carrying out stabbing attacks in Jerusalem Copyright: ITIC
     
     
    The Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center conducted a study examining the profiles of 35 Palestinian terrorists who carried out attacks in Israeli territory (Jerusalem and other locations inside Israel) during the current wave of terrorism. Twenty-four of them were killed while carrying out the attacks and 11 were injured. They carried out a total of 29 terrorist attacks, most of them in greater Jerusalem and some in other locations inside Israel. Their personal attributes were different, but based on the initial examination a general profile can be drawn.

    Initial findings of the data analyzed to date indicate that the Palestinian who most commonly carries out a terrorist attack in Israel, especially a stabbing attack, is generally male, young, between the ages of 17 and 19, unmarried, unknown to Israeli security, not affiliated with a terrorist organization, and lives in one of the neighborhoods of east Jerusalem (especially Jabel Mukaber and Sur Bahr in southeast Jerusalem) and in several instances also in the Hebron region. In most instances he carries out the attack by himself following a spontaneous personal decision without instructions from any organization or leadership. He does not follow an Islamist ideology (some of the terrorists lived fairly secular lives) and does not belong to a terrorist organization, although he feeds off the incitement to terrorism and anti-Israel hatred disseminated by the various terrorist organizations.

    The Palestinian terrorist who carries out an attack in Israel is motivated by Palestinian nationalism, and for the past six years he has been deeply influenced by reports of popular terrorism. He has also been influenced by events on the Temple Mount and by the false slogan "Al-Aqsa mosque is in danger." He is personally and socially frustrated and feeds off the anti-Israel hatred and incitement on the social networks (mainly Facebook). He is willing to risk his life and aspires to follow in the footsteps of Palestinians who died initiating the current wave of terrorist attacks (the deaths of some of them and their glorification in the Palestinian media has become contagious, and copying them has become a challenge and "fashionable").

    The study has three appendices. The first presents the main findings of the primary examination of the attributes the terrorists. The other two include a short, initial summary of the attacks carried out in Israel and individually examine each of the terrorists who carried them out. The parameters examined include the modus operandi of attack, its geographical location, where the terrorist came from, his motivation, age, organizational affiliation (if it exists), family status, education, profession, the involvement of women in terrorist attacks and various other aspects unique to each individual terrorist.



     

  • Interim findings of the profile of Palestinians who carried out attacks in Judea and Samaria

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    On November 25, 2015, the ITIC published a second report examining 59 terrorists who carried out attacks in Judea and Samaria (September 14 - November 15, 2015).

    The Palestinian terrorist who attacks the Israeli security forces and Israeli civilians in Judea and Samaria is usually male, unmarried and between the ages of 22 and 26 (although in some instances between the ages of 16 and 20). In some instances he finished high school and was unemployed or found work unsuited to his skills. He does not have a previous record of involvement in terrorist attacks and does to belong to one of the terrorist organizations. He carries out the attack alone after having made the decision, sometimes spontaneously (only in certain instances, usually combined attacks such as shooting attacks, were two or more terrorists involved). The decision is made without instructions "from above," and sometimes without the knowledge of the family.

    Usually, national and religious motivations influence the attacker. However, personal considerations also make a great impact on his decision to risk his life (about 60% of the terrorists who carried out attacks in Judea and Samaria were killed). His decision is influenced by frustration, the desire for fame and the glory achieved by becoming a shaheed, the desire to avenge the deaths of friends or relatives, and exposure to the intense incitement in the media and on the Palestinian street. The continuing terrorist campaign and the deaths of dozens of young Palestinians feed on themselves and are infectious, transmitted from one young Palestinian to another by the social networks (especially Facebook), and also contribute to the motivation of the attackers.

    About 60% of the Palestinians who carried out terrorist attacks in Judea and Samaria lived in Hebron or the adjacent villages. About half of the terrorist attacks were carried out in Hebron and its surroundings and about 12% in nearby Gush Etzion. The majority of the attacks (about 80%) were stabbing attacks employing knives or other sharp instruments.

    Stabbing has been the most common modus operandi in the current terrorist campaign (about 80%). In addition, about 12% were vehicular attacks and 8% were shooting attacks. Most of the attacks targeted the Israeli security forces, the rest targeted civilians. The sites most favored for terrorist attacks have been junctions (for example, the Gush Etzion Junction), roadblocks and IDF checkpoints, bus stops, and crossings into Israel (for example, the Jalameh crossing in northern Samaria).



  • Profile of Palestinians killed in confrontations with Israeli security forces

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    This third study carried out by ITIC and published on December 16 analyses the profiles of 34 Palestinians killed during riots in Judea, Samaria and the Gaza Strip, based on a list issued by the PA ministry of health of 93 Palestinians killed in the current terrorist campaign. In ITIC assessment it presents the traits of those who were bold enough to confront the IDF security forces head on, knowing they were likely to be harmed.

    The Palestinians killed during riots were for the most part young, between the ages of 18 and 27, and unmarried (there is a wide distribution of ages). Some of them (although not many) were university students or school children. Most of them came from Hebron, Jerusalem and the Ramallah region. They tended to participate riots near where they lived. The main focal point for the riots is Hebron and its surroundings, and after it Jerusalem, Ramallah and Bethlehem.

    The traits common to most of the rioters are that they are young and affiliated to varying degrees with the Palestinian organizations, especially Fatah (in Judea and Samaria) and Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) (in the Gaza Strip).

    Another finding was the relatively large number of "professional demonstrators" who had previously participated in many riots. Some of them were even detained or imprisoned in Israel. That finding supports the argument that the riots lack spontaneity and are more organized.