BASED ON A STUDY OF THE LITERATURE OF INSURGENCY, A SET OF VARIABLES IS OFFERED TO USE IN EXPLORING THE PRINCIPAL REASONS FOR THE FAILURE OF THE PALESTINIAN GUERRILLAS. AN ANALYSIS OF POPULAR SUPPORT, EXTERNAL SUPPORT, UNITY, ORGANIZATION, AND THEIR RELATIONSHIPS, REVEALS THAT THE GOVERNMENT ROLE, IN THIS CASE ISRAEL'S, IS THE CENTRAL CONSIDERATION IN THE PALESTINIAN FAILURE. THE PRINCIPLES OF A SOUND COUNTERINSURGENCY PROGRAM ARE OUTLINED: THE FOUR DIFFERENT KINDS OF THREATS MUST BE COUNTERED WITH FOUR DIFFERENT TYPES OF RESPONSES, OFTEN SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE STUDY DISCUSSES THE ORIGINS OF THE PALESTINIAN RESISTANCE, THE ISRAELI RESPONSE, AND THE ROLE THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE MIGHT PLAY IN NEGOTIATIONS. ISRAEL'S NONMILITARY DIMENSION IS RECOUNTED, INCLUDING ECONOMIC AND CIVIC ACTION, POLITICAL PROGRAMS, SECURITY SANCTIONS AND LEGAL MEASURES, AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF OCCUPIED AREAS. MILITARY DIMENSIONS INCLUDE COUNTERTERRORIST PROGRAMS, BORDER SECURITY, ACTIONS AGAINST SANCTUARY COUNTRIES SUCH AS RETALIATORY RAIDS CARRIED OUT AGAINST JORDAN AND SYRIA. THE DIFFICULTY POSED BY TERRORIST ATTACKS OUTSIDE ISRAEL ON ISRAELI PERSONS OR PROPERTY IS ALSO DISCUSSED. THREE SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS OF ISRAELI COUNTERINSURGENCY ARE DISCUSSED: ACTIONS DURING THE HIGHPOINT OF FEDAYEEN ACTIVITY IN 1969, THE DILEMMA OF GAZA, AND ISRAELI SECURITY MEASURES. A GLOSSRY AND EXTENSIVE FOOTNOTES COMPLETE THE TEXT. APPENDIXES INCLUDE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION ON THE MIDDLE EAST AND TABLES OF INCIDENTS AND CASUALTIES. (RFC)