QUESTION ANSWERS

1. What distinguishes terrorism from guerrilla warfare according to the provided definition?
Answer: Terrorism, as per the definition, deliberately targets civilians, while guerrilla warfare focuses
on military and security personnel. This distinction is based on the intended targets of their
operations, making it a critical factor in defining these two forms of violence.
2. How does the proposed definition of terrorism address state involvement in terrorist acts?
Answer: The definition categorizes states into three levels of involvement: those supporting,
operating, or perpetrating terrorism. This categorization provides a framework for understanding
how states may be linked to terrorist activities, enabling more effective counterterrorism measures.
3. According to the proposed definition, what is the primary aim of an act for it to be classified
as terrorism? Answer: The primary aim must be political, such as changing the regime or achieving
other political objectives. The presence of a political goal is a key criterion for an activity to be
considered terrorism under this definition.
4. How does the proposed definition of terrorism differentiate between guerrilla warfare and
terrorism? Answer: It distinguishes them based on the intended target of the attack. Terrorism
deliberately targets civilians, while guerrilla warfare focuses on military and security personnel. This
difference in targeting is fundamental to the definition.
5. Why is a clear definition of terrorism important in the context of international cooperation in
combating terrorism? Answer: An internationally accepted definition is crucial for strengthening
cooperation between countries. It provides a common framework for understanding and addressing
terrorism, enhancing the effectiveness of counterterrorism efforts on a global scale.
6. How does the definition impact the legislation and punishment related to terrorism? Answer: It
enables the formulation of specific laws and regulations for terrorism, differentiating it from ordinary
crime. This distinction is essential because terrorism poses unique threats due to its political
dimension.
7. What classification does the definition propose for states that support terrorist organizations?
Answer: The definition categorizes states into three levels: states supporting terrorism, states
operating terrorism, and states perpetrating terrorism. This classification helps assess the degree of
state involvement in terrorism.
8. How does the definition address the issue of a population supporting terrorism? Answer: It can
help undermine the legitimacy of terrorist organizations by defining their actions. This, in turn, may
deter support from the civilian population sympathetic to their goals, reducing their ability to
operate effectively.
9. According to the definition, what is the primary target of terrorism, and why is this distinction
important? Answer: The primary target is civilians, and this distinction is crucial because it separates
terrorism from other forms of violent struggle. Deliberate attacks on civilians trigger unique anxieties
and media reactions, making it important to distinguish terrorism from other forms of political
violence.
10. Why is it important for countries on the offensive against terrorism to have an internationally
accepted definition of terrorism? Answer: An accepted definition is essential to distinguish
between legitimate freedom fighting and terrorist activity. This distinction is vital in garnering
 international support for offensive actions against terrorist organizations, especially when such
actions may be criticized.
11. What was the initial definition provided for terrorism by Benjamin Netanyahu in 1985? Answer:
Netanyahu's initial definition of terrorism in 1985 defined it as "the deliberate and systematic
murder, maiming, and menacing of the innocent to inspire fear for political ends."
12. How does the definition proposed by Boaz Ganor differentiate between terrorism and
guerrilla warfare in terms of targets? Answer: The definition distinguishes them by the intended
target of the attack. Terrorism targets civilians, while guerrilla warfare targets military and security
personnel.
13. According to the proposed definition, why does the political aim of an activity matter in
determining if it is terrorism? Answer: The primary aim must be political, such as changing the
regime or achieving other political objectives. Without a political aim, the activity is not considered
terrorism under this definition.
14. How does the proposed definition impact the relationship between a terrorist organization
and the civilian population supporting it? Answer: It can undermine the legitimacy of terrorist
organizations by defining their actions, potentially reducing support from the population that
sympathizes with their goals.
15. What is the significance of distinguishing terrorism from other forms of violent activity using
a clear definition? Answer: It can help initiate an international campaign to undermine the
legitimacy of terrorist organizations, curtail support for them, and create a united international front
against terrorism.
16. How does the definition address the question of state involvement in terrorist activities?
Answer: It classifies states based on their level of involvement in terrorism, including states that
support, operate, or perpetrate terrorism.
17. What is the primary focus of an activity that must be present for it to be considered terrorism
according to the proposed definition? Answer: The primary focus must be political, with the goal
of attaining political aims, such as changing a regime or altering social or economic policies.
18. How does the definition differentiate between states supporting terrorism and those
operating terrorism? Answer: It categorizes states supporting terrorism as providing financial aid,
ideological support, or military assistance, while states operating terrorism initiate, direct, and
perform terrorist activities through external groups.
19. Why is it important for a clear definition of terrorism to be accepted in the context of
international cooperation against terrorism? Answer: It helps strengthen cooperation between
countries and ensures that international conventions against terrorism can be formulated and ratified
effectively.
20. According to the proposed definition, why is the distinction between terrorism and guerrilla
warfare based on the target of the attack important? Answer: It differentiates the relative
legitimacy of these forms of violence, making it clear when an organization's actions can be classified
as terrorism or guerrilla warfare. This distinction is important for determining the appropriate
measures and responses to each type of violence.
21. How does the information in the latter part of the content contribute to our understanding of
state involvement in acts of terrorism? Answer: The information suggests that states can be
involved in acts of terrorism in various ways, from providing support to terrorist organizations to
 actively directing and perpetrating terrorist attacks. Such involvement, especially when states engage
in terrorism against civilians, is a matter of international concern.
22. Why does the content stress the importance of having a universally accepted definition of
terrorism, and what role does this definition play in the context of international cooperation?
Answer: The content underscores the significance of a globally accepted definition of terrorism as it
provides a common foundation for international cooperation in combating terrorism. Such a
definition is crucial for framing international conventions and agreements against terrorism,
facilitating cooperation between nations, and distinguishing terrorist acts from other forms of
violence.
23. What does the content propose in terms of classifying states based on their involvement in
terrorism, and why is this classification essential? Answer: The content suggests classifying states
into three levels: those supporting, operating, or perpetrating terrorism. This classification is crucial
as it helps assess the extent of state involvement in terrorist activities and guides international
responses to state-sponsored terrorism.
24. What criteria does the content put forward for defining an activity as terrorism, and what is
the rationale for this distinction? Answer: The content proposes that an activity should be defined
as terrorism when its primary aim is political and directed toward achieving political objectives, such
as regime change. This distinction is important as it separates terrorism from common criminal
activities, emphasizing the unique threat posed by terrorism due to its political dimension.
25. How does the content address the issue of state involvement in acts of terrorism, and what
significance does this distinction hold for international relations? Answer: The content addresses
state involvement in terrorism by suggesting a three-tier classification, differentiating between states
supporting, operating, or perpetrating terrorism. This distinction is crucial for assessing state-
sponsored terrorism's impact on international diplomacy and law, allowing for appropriate measures
against states engaged in acts of terrorism.
26. According to the provided information, what is the primary difference between guerrilla
warfare and terrorism regarding their intended targets? Answer: The information highlights that
the primary difference between guerrilla warfare and terrorism lies in the intended targets of their
attacks. Guerrilla warfare predominantly targets military and security personnel, whereas terrorism
intentionally focuses on civilians, making this a critical distinction between these forms of violence.
27. Why is it emphasized in the content that distinguishing terrorism from other types of violence
is essential, and how does the proposed definition achieve this distinction? Answer: The content
stresses the importance of distinguishing terrorism to delegitimize terrorist organizations, reduce
support from sympathetic populations, and foster international unity against terrorism. The
proposed definition sets terrorism apart by emphasizing its political aims and deliberate targeting of
civilians, providing a clear demarcation.
28. What are the potential consequences for an organization's legitimacy when it resorts to
terrorism to achieve political objectives, as indicated in the content? Answer: The content
suggests that an organization's legitimacy may be undermined when it turns to terrorism, even if its
ultimate goals are legitimate, such as national liberation. Engaging in terrorism, which deliberately
targets civilians, can erode an organization's legitimacy, particularly among its support base.
29. How does the content propose to address the issue of a population supporting terrorism, and
what role does a clear definition of terrorism play in this context? Answer: The content suggests
that a clear definition of terrorism can undermine the legitimacy of terrorist organizations, potentially
discouraging support from civilian populations sympathetic to their goals. This definition forms the
 basis for establishing new norms that differentiate terrorism from other forms of political violence,
which can influence the population's perception and support for these organizations.
30. In what ways does the content propose to address the involvement of states in acts of
terrorism, and how do these methods differ from one another? Answer: The content suggests
classifying states into three categories based on their level of involvement in acts of terrorism: states
supporting, operating, or perpetrating terrorism. These methods differ in terms of the state's degree
of engagement in terrorist activities, ranging from providing support to direct perpetration of attacks
by state agencies. This classification provides a basis for assessing the extent of state-sponsored
terrorism and determining the appropriate international response.
31. How does the content address the issue of state involvement in acts of terrorism, and
why is it crucial to differentiate between states in this context? Answer: The content
discusses state involvement in terrorism by proposing a classification into supporting, operating,
or perpetrating terrorism. This differentiation is critical because it allows for an accurate
assessment of state-sponsored terrorism and guides international responses to such activities.
32. What criteria does the content suggest for defining an activity as terrorism, and what
significance does this distinction hold for international law? Answer: The content suggests
that an activity should be defined as terrorism when its primary objective is political, aimed at
achieving political goals. This distinction is significant as it separates terrorism from other forms
of violence, ensuring that international law can appropriately address this unique threat.
33. What is the key differentiator between guerrilla warfare and terrorism, according to
the information in the content? Answer: The content highlights that the primary distinction
between guerrilla warfare and terrorism lies in their intended targets. Guerrilla warfare
typically targets military and security personnel, while terrorism deliberately targets civilians,
making this a crucial difference.
34. Why is it stressed in the content that distinguishing terrorism from other forms of
violence is essential, and how does the proposed definition facilitate this
differentiation? Answer: The content emphasizes the importance of distinguishing terrorism
to delegitimize terrorist organizations, reduce support from sympathetic populations, and
foster international unity against terrorism. The proposed definition achieves this
differentiation by emphasizing the political nature of terrorism and its deliberate targeting of
civilians.
35. What potential consequences does the content suggest for an organization that resorts to
terrorism to achieve its political objectives, particularly in terms of its legitimacy? Answer: The
content suggests that when an organization turns to terrorism, even if its ultimate goals are
legitimate, its legitimacy may be eroded. Engaging in terrorism, which intentionally targets civilians,
can undermine the organization's legitimacy, especially among its support base.
36. How does the content propose addressing the issue of a population supporting terrorism, and
what role does a clear definition of terrorism play in this context? Answer: The content suggests
that a clear definition of terrorism can undermine the legitimacy of terrorist organizations, potentially
discouraging support from civilian populations sympathetic to their goals. This definition forms the
basis for establishing new norms that differentiate terrorism from other forms of political violence,
influencing the population's perception and support for these organizations.
37. In what ways does the content propose to address the involvement of states in acts of
terrorism, and how do these methods differ from one another? Answer: The content suggests
classifying states into three categories based on their level of involvement in acts of terrorism: states
 supporting, operating, or perpetrating terrorism. These methods differ based on the extent of state
engagement in terrorist activities, ranging from providing support to direct perpetration of attacks
by state agencies. This classification guides international responses to state-sponsored terrorism.
38. Why does the content stress the importance of a globally accepted definition of terrorism, and
what role does this definition play in shaping international agreements and conventions?
Answer: The content underscores the significance of a universally accepted definition of terrorism
because it serves as a common foundation for international cooperation in countering terrorism.
Such a definition is crucial for framing international conventions and agreements against terrorism,
distinguishing terrorist acts from other forms of violence, and fostering effective collaboration
between nations.
39. According to the content, how does the proposed definition of terrorism distinguish between
acts of terrorism and other forms of violence? Answer: The proposed definition distinguishes acts
of terrorism by focusing on their primary aim, which is political and directed toward achieving
political objectives. This differentiation separates terrorism from common criminal activities and
other types of violence, recognizing the distinct threat posed by terrorism due to its political
dimension.
40. What does the content suggest about the involvement of states in acts of terrorism, and why
is it crucial to differentiate between states in this context? Answer: The content suggests that
states can be involved in acts of terrorism in various ways, from providing support to actively
engaging in terrorist activities. Differentiating between states is crucial because it allows for a more
accurate assessment of state-sponsored terrorism and guides international responses to this critical
issue.