: Palestinian Women Would-be Bombers Change Their Minds

Last month, two potential suicide bombers – both women – opted out at the last minute and are serving sentences in Israel. Tawriya Hamamra, 25, acknowleged her reasons were more personal than political, although she said she was disillusioned when told to blow herself up if pursued. “Everyone has emotional distress,” she told reporters. “The real struggle for men and women is follow the path of Islam.” Arien Ahmed, 20, tried an attack the same week and also backed out. Now, she is convinced that she made a courageous decision. “We have to think how we can achieve what we want in a peaceful way,” she said. Regardless of the flak Cherie Blair got, the Israeli Defense Minister agreed the bombers are driven by despair. But the real question is how they will be received when they return one day to their families and communities. “I don’t know what I’m going to say to them. I can only ask for forgiveness,” Hamamra said.

Zahed Amanullah is associate editor of altmuslim.com.  He is based in London, England.