The specter of the people armed in self-defense has always haunted aspiring managers of society. The lurking violence of the “mob” elicits self-righteous panic or patronizing condemnation from its otherwise charitable benefactors. Meanwhile, the state mowing down hundreds or even thousands of people merits a strongly worded petition or a Saturday afternoon at the local protest rally. And folks say we live in a democratic age. The ebb and flow of debate about violence and Palestine among solidarity activists in the U.S. reflects a wider context concerning the state, race, class and democracy, and goes beyond the difficulties of organizing in the shadow of suicide bombings.