Don’t you think that if we gave the jihadists some of what they wanted, there would be peace? If we just tried to understand why they hate us, and adjusted our policies accordingly, they would love us?
Alas, the jihadists themselves don’t believe in this exhausted bit of conventional wisdom. From The Scotsman:
Privately, Blair recognises the Bigley family”s predicament is “ghastly”, but he will not negotiate with terrorists.
This does not seem to bother the hostage-takers. They began taunting Western governments over their efforts to seek their citizens” release from captivity. Late on Friday a fresh message appeared on a website believed to be used by al-Zarqawi which read: “What is laughable is the insistence of the ministers of all infidel nationalities on the phrase “˜no negotiations”. As if there was any question of negotiation. Far from it – they must obey the demands of the Mujahadeen. If you refuse, we slaughter.”…
Tawhid wal Jihad is a Sunni Muslim group. But unlike deposed dictator Saddam Hussein, also a Sunni Muslim, it is extremist and sees itself as being in a struggle against American crusaders.
The group justifies its executions with the controversial Koranic verse: “Therefore, when ye meet the Unbelievers, smite at their necks; At length, when ye have thoroughly subdued them, bind a bond firmly [on them].”
That would be Qur’an 47:4.