Philistine

It was built on the site of an ancient Philistine temple before being converted into a church and then a mosque.

And yet, in retribution, for each of Samson’s eyes Israel’s warring logic would demand the taking of 20 “Philistine” eyes.

Part of an ancient Philistine confederacy of five cities along the coastal plain, it featured in Biblical accounts: the judge Samson was held in captivity there.

The impoverished Palestinian territory was an important trading post for civilisations as far back as the ancient Egyptians and the Philistines depicted in the Bible, through the Roman empire and the crusades.

These Super Glue subversives have been derided as publicity-seeking Philistines and hailed as martyrs for a vital cause.