The Samson option

Founded on the Biblical story of Samson, defines a military policy of destroying yourself as your enemies are in your midst. [ [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/16/AR2006021601897.html The Samson Option ] ]

The story of Samson

Samson's hair was a covenant with God and was never cut. Essentially a Jewish superhero, he fought with the Philistines many times, always defeating them handily. So the Philistines hired Delilah to pry Samson's secret from him with her wiles. After several failed attempts, Samson vainly reveals his true weakness: his strength comes from the covenant made with God signified by his hair; cut his hair and he would be a weak as a newborn babe. Later that night after he falls asleep, the Philistines sneak in, shave Samson's hair and bind him. When he awakes, the strength of God has left him and the Philistines take him into slavery. They blind him and put him to work in the deepest pits. For many years, Samson slaves away in the pits, his hair slowly growing back. Finally, during a celebration, the Philistines send a boy to bring Samson so they can mock him. Samson, using the boy as his eyes, positions himself between the two central pillars of the room. With a mighty cry ("Let me die with the Philistines!"), the strength of God flows back into Samson and he brings the building down upon himself and the Philistines.

Examples

*Used in "The Last Days" (Joel C. Rosenberg novel), when CIA Agent Jake Ziegler's secret base in Gaza is being overwhelmed by terrorists, he calls in a Samson Option, executed by a flurry of missiles on the base as well as a "bunker buster" dropped by a B-52 bomber.

Books

This term has been used as the title for a number of books about Israel's nuclear potential.

* by Seymour M. Hersh

References