Muslim World in encountering terrorism(journal paper)
Analyse a particular 1
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Analyse a particular ‘terrorist’ incident of your choosing through the application of a
critical perspective on terrorism as described by Jackson, Smyth and Gunning
(2010).
Toulouse and Montauban shootings
The aim of this essay is to analyse a particular terror incident of my choosing through
the application on terrorism as described by Jackson, Smyth and Gunning (2010).
The particular incident which I wish to analyse is the series of shootings which
occurred in France 2012 within Toulouse and Montauban. These attacks targeted
French soldiers and Jewish civilians leaving seven people killed and five people
severely injured. The following sections will discuss the critical study of terrorism and
from this suggest an understanding of the terrorist attack in France in 2012. In light
of Jackson, Smyth and Gunning (2010). This essay aspires to offer an explanation
as to why this terrorist attack in France occurred. It is important to understand in the
following sections that I am not condemning the brutalities of these attacks however I
do feel that they were provoked. I will discuss how intense political conflict may have
been a reason behind these shootings and provide an insight into historical, political
and social contexts.
The 32 hour siege of the series of terror attacks in South France were controlled by
23 year old Mohammed Merch who told police that he belonged to al Queda, all
deaths were French and of North African origin. When asked why he engaged in
such attacks Merch suggested that engaged in this killing spree as a result of the
deaths of Palestinian children. He also stated that he was protesting against French
wars abroad and the ban on face covering veils in public. According to Jackson et al
‘the notion of religious terrorism is a recent addition to existing typologies and refers
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to groups with primarily religious motives for their violence’ (2010, 8). Jackson et al
continue by arguing that the term is usually applied to ‘Islamic fundamentalist’ groups
like al Qaeda (Ibid). Although Merch claimed to the public that he belonged to al
Qaeda, the question is what were the religious motives for this violence in France?
The ongoing conflict between Palestine and Israel has caused severe inequality and
tragic deaths among those in Gaza, Israel has separated Palestine from them by
building a dividing wall between them. Not only have they separated Palestine but
they have also taken control of their borders restricting access of all imports. A state
official according to Dale Sprusansky (2014) argues that Palestinian children are
regularly subjected to violence and torture by Israeli Defence Forces, children as
young as five are arrested and put into refugee camps. These children are
blindfolded, their hands put behind their backs and hit with beer bottles and helmets.
When incarcerated they are denied food, water and medical assistance, the official
also stated that he has witnessed children asking to have their handcuffs loosened
by which the Israeli Defence Forces have in fact tightened them.
How are such attacks not perceived as terrorist attacks?, these children are left to
die a slower and more painful death than those involved in the terrorist attacks which
we frequently hear of. Jackson et al argues that political violence is more likely when
certain population groups feel deprived socially, economically or politically, relative to
other population groups and that this includes the absence of material and
organisational resources (2010: 9,10). Furthermore political exclusion is a key cause
of terrorism whether it concerns ethnic, religious or socio-economic groups (Ibid, 10).
Jackson et al argues that religious terrorism is a label often employed as a ‘political
tool to paint certain groups as fanatics lacking genuine political grievances and the
capacity to compromise, thus legitimising exceptional counter-terrorism measures’
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(2010, 8). In light of this one must consider the power of the media and the power of
the US as a country. Austin Turk argues that the US is ‘highly selective and
influential in determining which parties and their activities in violent struggles will be
labelled (2004, 272). As suggested by Gurr (1989) The US has a long history of
violence and has caused many casualties by use of bombs, assassinations and
massacres however only few have been defined as terrorism (Ibid). The tragedy of
September 11th has been and continued to be displayed on every television station
in Europe however Palestine lacks the superpowers needed to have their tragedies
appear on western television. Turk argues that ‘who is blamed for ongoing terrorist
violence depends on which media one examines’ (Ibid, 275). As a result suggests
Turk, western media reports blame Palestinians for the ongoing violence between
the Arabs and the Israelis (Ibid).
Albert J Bergesen and Omar Lizardo provide a theoretical framework for
understanding terrorist activity by situating it within the larger dynamics of the global
system (2004, 38). They argue that ‘the premeditated use of violence by a non state
group to obtain a political, religious or social objective through fear or intimidation
directed at a large audience’ (Ibid). However they stress the importance of gaining
insight at an individual level by accessing the minds of terrorists such as suicide
bombers. By doing this one may identify the power of the US in promoting Arab-
Islamic terrorism and therefore seek some kind of understanding of retaliation for
previous American imperial actions (Ibid, 45). As suggested by Jackson et al critical
terrorism studies can contribute ‘new knowledge and theories which help to
deconstruct and debunk many of the popular myths and misconceptions about terror’
(2010, 16). In order to do this one must dig deep into the past and discover motives
that may have provoked a terrorist attack. One must also become aware of the
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powers certain countries hold over others, as Turk suggests US authorities have had
the power to ignore or downplay the political significance of violence in the past
however they also have the power to label retaliators as ‘deranged’ and evil
individuals (2004, 272). This reveals the ways in which language, discourse and
particularly the naming of terrorism, is not a neutral process but has political
consequences for the terrorists, their communities and those that do the naming
(2010, 16). According to Krueger and Maleckova (2003) ‘terrorism is better
understood as a response to feelings of indignity and frustration developed in
repressive political environments’ (Ibid, 274). This brings us back to Mohammed
Merch in understanding his reasons behind his terrorist attacks in Toulouse and
Montauban.
Merch stated that not only did he want to avenge the deaths of Palestinian children
but that he also wanted to protest against the French and the ban on face covering in
public (2012). The French government banned pupils from wearing a hijab in public
high schools in 2004 and in 2009 the problem of Muslim women wearing the niqab
began to be investigated (Tissot, Sylvie, 2011:39, 40). The government were urged
to free these women from the burkha and escape their oppressive culture which
would lead them to emancipation (Ibid, 40, 42.). There is a growing stigmatization of
radicalized populations in Western countries, especially Arab or Muslim people
(Ibid). As a result of this ban on headscarves, women have since been arrested and
fined. A husband of one of these women has also been deprived his French
citizenship ‘which is a punishment normally applied only to individuals deemed to
pose a threat to the country’ (Ibid, 41). The question which Tissot brings to light is
why should women be punished for wearing a niqab in public space and how can a
piece of cloth threaten French society? Her answer is Islamaphobia, Tissot suggests
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that ‘Islamophobic feelings have deep historical roots in France and are linked to
long-standing hostility toward Muslims in general’ (Ibid, 44) However these
Islamophobic feelings are linked more specifically toward the spectre of Algeria and
Mohammed Merch was an Algerian man (Ibid). Could this contribute to the
escalation of the attacks in France or the fact that these women were and continue
to be terrorised, they have had their identity stolen by the French government. Turk
argues that violence is a response to oppression and exploitation and the last resort
of the deprived and the desperate (2004, 273). In contrast Jackson et al argues that
‘nationalist terrorism most often emerges from an ongoing struggle for self-
determination or regional autonomy’ (2010, 8).
The French government has identified these women as being oppressed and
exploited by Muslim men however it is the French government which has put them in
chains. Many cannot leave their homes as their religious beliefs forbid them from
entering public space without their head covering. They are left isolated and
secluded from society as their headscarf discourages them from promoting a ‘French
identity’ (2011, 44). One may argue that Mohammed Merch was a deranged and
evil individual who killed innocent men and children however it is important to
research the historical contexts. The brutality and suffering in Palestine by the
Israelis is ongoing however we rarely hear about these attacks. Tissot argues the
French are ‘targeting radicalized populations on the basis of religion and gender and
the problem of the burkha which began in France is now spreading to other countries
(Ibid, 46). In my opinion and from a sociological perspective the people of Palestine
and Muslim women in France are suffering from a form of terrorism, an attack that
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will not be over tomorrow but one which will continue to remain restricting them of
their basic humanitarian needs.
In conclusion and in comparison with Jackson et al (2010) I have discussed some of
the neglected aspects to the study of terrorism. The importance of new ways of
thinking have been analysed focusing on factors such as history and context, media
and political conflict. This essay has provided some insight on terrorism as a political
label and a socially constructed category. It has also suggested that terrorism can
never be wholly objective, but will always have political consequences. I have
remained transparent about my own values and political standpoints throughout the
essay as I have a keen interest in Palestine as a country suffering from major
inequalities. I feel I have dedicated to expanding the focus of research to include the
use of terrorism by states, including Western states, the wider non-violent aspects of
violent organisations, and to integrating gender as a key area of focus.
Bibliography
Albert J. Bergesen and Omar Lizardo. (2004). “International Terrorism and the
World-System”. Sociological Theory. 22(1): 38-52.
Austin T. Turk. (2004). “Sociology of Terrorism”. Annual Review of Sociology. 30:
271-286.
Dale, Sprusansky. (2014). “As Pawns of the Occupation, Palestinian Children face
regular Abuse and Torture”. Washington Report on Middle East Affairs. 33(4): 13-17.
Jackson, R., Gunning, J., & Breen Smyth, M. (2010). Terrorism: Terrorism in the 21st
Century. Accessed on Moodle:
