The Hizbullah TV station, Al-Mannar, broadcast a debate in which Nabil 'Amr, a Palestinian MP, and Mustafa Bakri, the editor of the Egyptian weekly Al-Usbu', discussed their varying opinions of violent and peaceful methods for Palestinian resistance. Following are excerpts from the debate, aired on May 23, 2004:

Mustafa Bakri: We are all one entity and this is why we say that we are prepared to… Unleash the Jihad! Open the borders for us and you will see how this Zionist entity suffers losses. 270,000 Israelis have fled abroad due to the Palestinian Intifada, while the Palestinians are crowding the borders in order to enter Palestine. This is the difference between us. Why do we always think that America is not like other creatures? America was defeated in Falluja.

Nabil 'Amr: The Arab (leaders) did well when, in order to speak in modern language, they condemned the killing of Palestinian and other civilians, because we reject the killing of children under the pretext that they are part of the military. This is not part of our moral code. We are stronger in our claim that Sharon is committing crimes against the Palestinian children when our weapon is noble and is used for resistance.

When you bring examples pertaining to harming children… I think the world will stand against us. Nonetheless, I believe that the Arab rationality and reasonable thinking must rule and lead us to a better situation than this. However, if we continue to measure victory as we do, we will drag the Arab world into another defeat. Do not forget that Baghdad is the third or fourth capital to fall but we continue to talk of victories and steadfastness. Nobody knows what they mean and how they should come to be.

Bakri: Israel only understands the language of force. 'Abd Al-Nasser said, "What was taken by force will only be returned by force," And Hassan Nasrallah reiterated this. When Hizbullah was shooting Katyusha missiles into northern Palestine, its goal was to drive out the occupier, not to kill an Israeli child or woman. But basically, they are all murderers. Their children are educated to kill Palestinians. Our position must be deep rooted, because only the option of resistance can defeat Israel.

'Amr: What do you want from the Palestinian while you are sitting in Egypt and the other guest is in Jordan or another place where Palestinians are not even allowed? Do you only say to him, fight, fight until we reach you in 100 years? I believe that we must calculate our steps. The important thing is that the Palestinians do not raise the white flag, and that they will reach the goal of establishing a state and that they will strive for this in all possible measures and not all possible slogans.