Able Quote by Edward Said
“The definition of terrorism has to be more precise, so that we are able to discriminate between, for example, what it is that the Palestinians are doing to fight the Israeli military occupation and terrorism of the sort that resulted in the World Trade Center bombing.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New York Review of Books, 2002
Terrorism definitions must be precise to distinguish legitimate resistance from acts of mass violence.
In simple terms: Clear definitions separate resistance from terrorism.
Key Takeaway
Define terms to guide policy.
Themes
terrorism
politics
ethics
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
political
ethical
When to use this quote
- policy analysis
- academic debate
- media reporting
- activism
Key Concepts
international law
human rights
conflict studies
Questions to Reflect On
- How should we draw the line between resistance and terrorism?
- What criteria ensure fair classification?
A Different Perspective
Political bias can skew definitions.
![“It [9/11 event] was aimed at symbols: the World Trade Center, the heart of American capitalism, and the Pentagon, the headquarters of the American military establishment. But it was not meant to be argued with. It wasn't part of any negotiation. No message was intended with it. It spoke for…” quote by Edward Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/725/edward-said-6412_american-capitalism_it-9-11-event-was-aimed-at-symbols-the-w_2931286.jpg)
![“Speaking as a New Yorker, I found it a shocking and terrifying event [9/11], particularly the scale of it. At bottom, it was an implacable desire to do harm to innocent people. It was aimed at symbols: the World Trade Center, the heart of American capitalism, and the Pentagon, the headquarters of…” quote by Edward Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5b5/edward-said-6412_american-capitalism_speaking-as-a-new-yorker-i-found-it-a-sh_550498.jpg)
![“[9/11] was bloody-minded destruction for no other reason than to do it.” quote by Edward Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a6e/edward-said-6412_bloody_9-11-was-bloody-minded-destruction-for-n_64269.jpg)
![“[One task of intellectuals is] to break down the stereotypes and reductive categories that are . . . limiting to human thought and communication.” quote by Edward Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b94/edward-said-6412_break_one-task-of-intellectuals-is-to-break-do_140792.jpg)
![“The just response to this terrible event [9/11] should be to go immediately to the world community, the United Nations. The rule of international law should be marshaled, but it's probably too late because the United States has never done that; it's always gone it alone.” quote by Edward Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/15f/edward-said-6412_community_the-just-response-to-this-terrible-event_189801.jpg)
