DOCSLIB.ORG

A Number of Prominent Terrorist Operatives Released in the Gilad

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
A Number of Prominent Terrorist Operatives Released in the Gilad The Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center A number of prominent terrorist operatives released in the Gilad Shalit prisoner swap expressed readiness to return to terrorism, calling for abduction of more Israelis. Their statements play into Hamas’ propaganda campaign, according to which “resistance” (terrorism) has proven superior to negotiations as a means to achieve the Palestinian objectives. Logo and poster released by the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades for the prisoner swap (Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades website, October 21). The logo and poster emphasize the use of weapons and violence to achieve the Palestinian objectives, which include the release of terrorists held by Israel. 265-11 Overview 1.In the month since the Gilad Shalit prisoner swap, a number of released prisoners, some of them prominent terrorist operatives involved in mass-casualty attacks in Israel, expressed their readiness to go back to terrorism. Some of the released terrorists joined Hamas leaders in calling for the abduction of more Israeli soldiers—calls echoed by the Palestinian public—to use as bargaining chips for the release of all Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. 2.The several operatives who have made statements to this effect are not representative of all the released prisoners. It is also unclear to what extent each statement is indicative of genuine willingness to once again become involved in terrorist activity. Be that as it may, based on past experience of released prisoners returning to the circle of terrorism and given the background of some of those who made such statements, it can be assumed that at least in some cases there is a genuine willingness to return to terrorism. It is therefore our assessment that the population of released terrorists (particularly in Judea, Samaria, and abroad) may be perceived by terrorist organizations as a convenient operative pool for future recruitment.1 3.The statements made by the released prisoners, who enjoy enormous prestige in the Palestinian society, played into the Hamas media campaign which accompanied the prisoner swap. The release was portrayed as “an enormous victory and a historic achievement” in senior Hamas officials’ statements and the welcome given to the former prisoners. The prisoner swap was used for displays of military strength and speeches emphasizing the success of the “resistance” (terrorism) over negotiations and the determination to abduct more Israelis to free all the remaining prisoners. The campaign, in which Hamas claimed the achievement for itself, was particularly evident in the Gaza Strip, while in Judea and Samaria the PA worked to contain the Hamas support expressions. 1 This was hinted at by Isma’il Haniyah, head of the de facto Hamas administration in the Gaza Strip, who announced that Israel made a strategic error by deporting some of the prisoners. “They have been and will remain a [force] of strategic assistance to Palestine”, he said, mentioning the deportation of Hamas operatives to Marj al-Zuhur, Lebanon, during the Rabin administration (www.alfath-mus.com). 2 Freed terrorists at a welcoming display held by the Hamas military wing in the Gaza Strip on October 21 (Izz al- Din al-Qassam website, October 22, 2011) 4.Even though the PA worked on the ground to contain the Hamas support expressions, as far as publicity is concerned the release of the prisoners was used to nurture the narrative of solidarity with them, regardless of what terrorist organization they belong to. Of particular note in this context was a show aired on PA television (October 27) named “In the house of the man of struggle”. The show paid an appreciation visit to the home of incarcerated terrorist Abbas al-Sayyed, a Hamas senior operative from Tulkarm, one of the highest-ranking Hamas members whom Israel refused to release. He was responsible for the Park Hotel terrorist attack in the Israeli city of Netanya, on Passover Eve, in which 30 people were killed and nearly 144 wounded, and which prompted Israel to launch Operation Defensive Shield. Filmed in the Al-Sayyed family residence, the show featured an interview with two female prisoners released in the recent deal, who held his legacy as a shining example to be followed. Examples of statements made by released terrorists who expressed their willingness to go back to terrorism 5. The following are a number of statements by prominent terrorist operatives in which they expressed their willingness to return to terrorism: a.Ahlam Tamimi 1) Jordanian, from Ramallah, given asylum in Jordan after her release. Tamimi was the woman who drove the suicide bomber who carried out the suicide bombing attack in the Sbarro restaurant in Jerusalem (15 dead, nearly 100 wounded) and was involved in collecting intelligence for the attack. In an interview given to the Israeli media while in prison, she refused to express remorse for the death of innocent civilians in the Sbarro restaurant. 2)In a filmed interview for the Hamas website given on October 26, 2011, Tamimi was asked whether she would carry out a similar terrorist attack if circumstances allowed it. 3 She said “yes” and added, “I will do it again, because the act came from deliberation, conviction, and faith in Allah, praise be to Him, because a jihad fighter [mujahed] always expects martyrdom [shahada], imprisonment, or success… I was imprisoned, I overcame that predicament, and now I’m free. Why would I regret it?!” (www.youtube.com). 3)During an interview given to the Jordanian media, Tamimi stressed that the “resistance” is the only way to “liberation”, and that Israel knows no other language than force (Ad-Dustour, October 27, 2007). In another interview she said that she will never regret taking part in the terrorist attack she committed (Sbarro) (Amman News Agency, October 19, 2011). Ahlam Tamimi: “Why would I regret it?!” (www.youtube.com) b.Hussam Atef Ali Badran: 1)Head of the Hamas military wing in Samaria, detained in Operation Defensive Shield in April 2002, was involved in planning the terrorist attacks in Netanya’s Park Hotel (30 dead and approx. 144 wounded), the Dolphinarium night club in Tel-Aviv (21 killed and some 83 wounded), and the Sbarro restaurant in Jerusalem (15 killed and approx. 110 wounded). 2)Hussam Badran, who following his release became the spokesman of the released prisoners deported from Judea and Samaria, referred to the released terrorists as “ambassadors of the resistance”. Speaking at a press conference in Egypt, he said that, just prior to the release, the Israelis made an attempt to persuade the prisoners to sign a document pledging to abandon what is referred to as “terrorism”. “We all refused that instruction, until the occupation surrendered and was forced to give up that demand at the last minute,” Badran said (www.ekhbaryat.net). 4 Hussam Badran at a press conference in Egypt following his release (www.ekhbaryat.net) c.Yahya Ibrahim Hassan Sinwar: 1)Senior Hamas operative and co-founder of the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the Hamas military wing. Established the Hamas security apparatus in the Gaza Strip. Was involved in the abduction and killing of Nachshon Wachsman in Bir Nabala in 1994. 2)Yahya Sinwar pledged “to take serious action” to free all the prisoners, “whatever the cost” (www.dakahla.com). In a statement made at a welcoming reception in the Gaza Strip on October 18, Yahya Sinwar said he prefers to live as a fighter and die as a fighter. He stressed that the warning issued by the Israeli PM to the released prisoners not to return to the “resistance” will not make them stop operating (Safa website, October 19). Yahya Sinwar gives a speech at a rally in the Gaza Strip (Palestine-info, October 18, 2011) d.Amna Muna, who in January 2001 murdered Ofir Rahum, a high school student she had met online. When she arrived in Turkey, where she was deported, she expressed her willingness to continue working for the “resistance” (Al-Jazeera TV, October 18, 2011). 5 e.Wafa Samir Ibrahim al-Biss: 1)Suicide bomber, member of Fatah’s Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, who tried to blow herself up at the Erez crossing on June 20, 2005 using stockings filled with explosives. During questioning she said she had been sent by the organization to carry out a suicide bombing attack in an Israeli hospital, in a crowded place. In an interview to Israeli TV’s Channel 10, she said she had dreamed of dying for Allah ever since she was a little girl, and that her dream had been and still was to be a martyr (Channel 10, June 20, 2005). 2)Wafa al-Biss said that, if asked to carry out a suicide bombing attack, she would not hesitate. She further added that she is committed to keep following the path of “resistance”, the only way to eradicate the “Israeli occupation” (Al-Quds, October 20, 2011). f.Nael al-Barghouti, the oldest prisoner. In 1978 he was convicted of murdering an IDF officer near the Halamish settlement and sentenced for life. He said that his release, as well as that of hundreds of other prisoners, proves the success of the “path of resistance”, which according to Al-Barghouti has prevailed over the “path of agreements” (alresala.net, October 18, 2011). Calls for more abductions of Israelis 6.Some of the released terrorists joined Hamas leaders in calling for the abduction of more Israelis—calls echoed by the Palestinian public—to release all the Palestinian prisoners who are serving sentences in Israeli prisons. Several examples follow: a.Senior Hamas operative Yahya Sinwar gave a speech at the main welcoming ceremony held in the Gaza Strip for the released prisoners.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Changing Forms of Incitement to Terror and Violence
    THE CHANGING FORMS OF INCITEMENT TO TERROR AND VIOLENCE: TERROR AND TO THE CHANGING FORMS OF INCITEMENT The most neglected yet critical component of international terror is the element of incitement. Incitement is the medium through which the ideology of terror actually materializes into the act of terror itself. But if indeed incitement is so obviously and clearly a central component of terrorism, the question remains: why does the international community in general, and international law in particular, not posit a crime of incitement to terror? Is there no clear dividing line between incitement to terror and the fundamental right to freedom of speech? With such questions in mind, the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung held an international conference on incitement. This volume presents the insights of the experts who took part, along with a Draft International Convention to Combat Incitement to Terror and Violence that is intended for presentation to the Secretary-General of the United Nations. The Need for a New International Response International a New for Need The THE CHANGING FORMS OF INCITEMENT TO TERROR AND VIOLENCE: The Need for a New International Response Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs המרכז הירושלמי לענייני ציבור ומדינה )ע"ר( THE CHANGING FORMS OF INCITEMENT TO TERROR AND VIOLENCE: The Need for a New International Response Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs המרכז הירושלמי לענייני ציבור ומדינה )ע"ר( This volume is based on a conference on “Incitement to Terror and Violence: New Challenges, New Responses” under the auspices of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs and the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, held on November 8, 2011, at the David Citadel Hotel, Jerusalem.
    [Show full text]
  • Survey of Terrorist Groups and Their Means of Financing
    SURVEY OF TERRORIST GROUPS AND THEIR MEANS OF FINANCING HEARING BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON TERRORISM AND ILLICIT FINANCE OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCIAL SERVICES U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ONE HUNDRED FIFTEENTH CONGRESS SECOND SESSION SEPTEMBER 7, 2018 Printed for the use of the Committee on Financial Services Serial No. 115–116 ( U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE 31–576 PDF WASHINGTON : 2018 VerDate Mar 15 2010 14:03 Dec 06, 2018 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 5011 Sfmt 5011 G:\GPO PRINTING\DOCS\115TH HEARINGS - 2ND SESSION 2018\2018-09-07 TIF TERRO mcarroll on FSR431 with DISTILLER HOUSE COMMITTEE ON FINANCIAL SERVICES JEB HENSARLING, Texas, Chairman PATRICK T. MCHENRY, North Carolina, MAXINE WATERS, California, Ranking Vice Chairman Member PETER T. KING, New York CAROLYN B. MALONEY, New York EDWARD R. ROYCE, California NYDIA M. VELA´ ZQUEZ, New York FRANK D. LUCAS, Oklahoma BRAD SHERMAN, California STEVAN PEARCE, New Mexico GREGORY W. MEEKS, New York BILL POSEY, Florida MICHAEL E. CAPUANO, Massachusetts BLAINE LUETKEMEYER, Missouri WM. LACY CLAY, Missouri BILL HUIZENGA, Michigan STEPHEN F. LYNCH, Massachusetts SEAN P. DUFFY, Wisconsin DAVID SCOTT, Georgia STEVE STIVERS, Ohio AL GREEN, Texas RANDY HULTGREN, Illinois EMANUEL CLEAVER, Missouri DENNIS A. ROSS, Florida GWEN MOORE, Wisconsin ROBERT PITTENGER, North Carolina KEITH ELLISON, Minnesota ANN WAGNER, Missouri ED PERLMUTTER, Colorado ANDY BARR, Kentucky JAMES A. HIMES, Connecticut KEITH J. ROTHFUS, Pennsylvania BILL FOSTER, Illinois LUKE MESSER, Indiana DANIEL T. KILDEE, Michigan SCOTT TIPTON, Colorado JOHN K. DELANEY, Maryland ROGER WILLIAMS, Texas KYRSTEN SINEMA, Arizona BRUCE POLIQUIN, Maine JOYCE BEATTY, Ohio MIA LOVE, Utah DENNY HECK, Washington FRENCH HILL, Arkansas JUAN VARGAS, California TOM EMMER, Minnesota JOSH GOTTHEIMER, New Jersey LEE M.
    [Show full text]
  • Israeli Occupation Forces Attacks on Journalists 2020 Palestinian Centre for Human Rights Palestinian Centre for Human Rights
    Silencing the Press: Israeli Occupation Forces Attacks on Journalists 2020 Palestinian Centre for Human Rights Palestinian Centre for Human Rights Contents 4 Introduction 8 Legal Protection for Journalists under international humani- tarian law 11 Protection for press institutions and equipment 13 IOF’s violations against journalists working in local and inter- national media 13 I. Violations of the right to life and bodily integrity 27 II. Violence, assault, degrading and inhumane treatment against journalists 33 III. Detention and Arrests against Journalists 40 IV. Restrictions on the freedom of movement 2 Silencing the Press: Israeli Occupation Forces Attacks on Journalists 40 1. Journalists banned access to certain areas 41 2. Journalists banned travel outside the oPt 42 V. Media institutions raided, destroyed and shut 43 VI. Media offices bombarded and destroyed 43 VII. Newspapers banned in the OPT 44 Crimes without punishment 46 Conclusion and Recommendations 3 Palestinian Centre for Human Rights Israeli occupation forces (IOF) continued the systematic attacks 1 Introduction against local and international media personnel working in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) despite the protection that journalists, as civilians, enjoy under international law. IOF grave vi- olations against journalists include threats to their personal safety and attack on their equipment with live and rubber bullets, phys- ical and emotional assault, restrictions on the freedom of move- ment, bombardment of their office and other violations demon- strating a well-planned scheme to isolate the oPt from the rest of the world and to provide cover-up for crimes against civilians, and impose a narrative opposite to the reality on the ground.2 This is the 22nd edition of the “Silencing the Press” series issued by the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR).
    [Show full text]
  • Suicide Terrorists in the Current Conflict
    Israeli Security Agency [logo] Suicide Terrorists in the Current Conflict September 2000 - September 2007 L_C089061 Table of Contents: Foreword...........................................................................................................................1 Suicide Terrorists - Personal Characteristics................................................................2 Suicide Terrorists Over 7 Years of Conflict - Geographical Data...............................3 Suicide Attacks since the Beginning of the Conflict.....................................................5 L_C089062 Israeli Security Agency [logo] Suicide Terrorists in the Current Conflict Foreword Since September 2000, the State of Israel has been in a violent and ongoing conflict with the Palestinians, in which the Palestinian side, including its various organizations, has carried out attacks against Israeli citizens and residents. During this period, over 27,000 attacks against Israeli citizens and residents have been recorded, and over 1000 Israeli citizens and residents have lost their lives in these attacks. Out of these, 155 (May 2007) attacks were suicide bombings, carried out against Israeli targets by 178 (August 2007) suicide terrorists (male and female). (It should be noted that from 1993 up to the beginning of the conflict in September 2000, 38 suicide bombings were carried out by 43 suicide terrorists). Despite the fact that suicide bombings constitute 0.6% of all attacks carried out against Israel since the beginning of the conflict, the number of fatalities in these attacks is around half of the total number of fatalities, making suicide bombings the most deadly attacks. From the beginning of the conflict up to August 2007, there have been 549 fatalities and 3717 casualties as a result of 155 suicide bombings. Over the years, suicide bombing terrorism has become the Palestinians’ leading weapon, while initially bearing an ideological nature in claiming legitimate opposition to the occupation.
    [Show full text]
  • Volume 104, March 2007 Issue
    Applied Research Institute – Jerusalem (ARIJ) P.O Box 860, Caritas Street – Bethlehem, Phone: (+972) 2 2741889, Fax: (+972) 2 2776966. [email protected] | http://www.arij.org Applied Research Institute – Jerusalem Report on the Israeli Colonization Activities in the West Bank & the Gaza Strip Volume 104, March 2007 Issue http://www.arij.org Jerusalem • The Israeli bulldozers continued razing lands near Al Magareba gate in Jerusalem city. Quds( Mar 1,2007). • The Israeli bulldozers demolished a three – storey house belonging to Ibrahim Musa ʹAbed Al Rahem Al ʹAnaty in Al Tur neighborhood east of Jerusalem city, under the pretext of being built without a license. In addition, the Israeli bulldozers demolished a two – storey house owned by Hani Al Sayyad in same area, under the same pretext. Quds( Mar 1, 2007). • Jerusalem Municipality issued an order to demolish Al Zahraʹ Mosque (180 m²) in Ras Al ʹAmud neighborhood southeast of Jerusalem city under the pretext of being built without a license. Quds (Mar 4, 2007). Applied Research Institute – Jerusalem (ARIJ) P.O Box 860, Caritas Street – Bethlehem, Phone: (+972) 2 2741889, Fax: (+972) 2 2776966. [email protected] | http://www.arij.org • The two‐ storey house of Ghalya family is threatened of demolition by the Israeli forces in in Jabal Al Tur east of Jerusalem city under the pretext of being built without a license. Wafa (Mar 6, 2007). • Jerusalem Municipality and the Israeli Ministry of Interior postponed the implementation of military orders that stipulated the demolition of 470 Palestinian houses located in Al Tur area east of Jerusalem city until the end of this year (2007).
    [Show full text]
  • Despite Pandemic, Israeli Forces Drop Herbicide on Gaza and Shoot at Fishermen
    Despite pandemic, Israeli forces drop herbicide on Gaza and shoot at fishermen NewsKate on April 11, 2020 0 Comments Gaza fish market. (Photo: Mohammed Assad) Gaza PCHR: In new Israeli violation, Israeli naval forces wound 2 fishermen in northern Gaza sea BEIT LAHIA 9 Apr — Israeli naval forces continue their attacks against Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Sea preventing them from sailing and fishing freely, accessing the zones rich in fish, despite the fact that fishermen posed no threat to the lives of Israeli naval forces deployed in Gaza waters … According to the investigations of the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR), at approximately 07:50 on Thursday, 09 April 2020, Israeli gunboats stationed northwest of Beit Lahia in northern Gaza Strip chased Palestinian fishing boats sailing within the allowed fishing area (3 nautical miles) and opened fire at a fishing boat. As a result, two fishermen, Obai ‘Adel Mohamed Jarbou‘ (21) and Ahmed ‘Abed al-Fattah Ahmed al-Sharfi (23), were shot and injured with rubber-coated steel bullets. The young men, from al-Shati’ [‘Beach’] camp in Gaza City, were taken to the Indonesian Hospital, where their injuries were classified as minor. It should be noted that Israeli gunboats conduct daily chases of Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip, and open fire at them in order to terrify them and prevent them from sailing and accessing the zones rich in fish. The latest Israeli naval forces’ attack was on Wednesday, 08 April 2020, as Israeli gunboats stationed northwest of Beit Lahia in northern Gaza Strip, chased Palestinian fishing boats sailing within the allowed fishing area (3 nautical miles) and opened fire at a fishing boat.
    [Show full text]
  • The Palestinian and Israeli Media on Female Suicide Terrorists Avi Issacharoff
    The Palestinian and Israeli Media on Female Suicide Terrorists Avi Issacharoff Female suicide terrorists have consistently attracted abundant media attention. Perhaps not surprisingly, the Israeli and Arab (mostly Palestinian) media have peddled competing versions of reality. In a certain sense, the Israeli version of reality perpetuates the chauvinism in Arab Islamic society, and portrays the female Palestinian suicide terrorist in a relatively sympathetic light, compared with the male suicide terrorist. This narrative portrays her as weak and subject to manipulation by a chauvinist society. As such, it focuses on personal and social aspects, and ignores nationalist motives. The Arab media, on the other hand, develops the feminist dimension, portraying the Palestinian female suicide terrorist as a full partner in the national and religious jihad, while downplaying personal aspects. The Israeli media likes female suicide terrorists; it takes a greater interest in female terrorists than male terrorists. The Israeli press admires and flatters female terrorists, demonstrates excessive empathy for their deeds, and hangs on every piquant detail and gossip about these women. It describes them as women with difficult social backgrounds who come from the margins of Palestinian society and have problems at home, mostly relating to their family situation. The question arises, of course, whether they are very different from male suicide terrorists, and the answer is that they are not particularly different. Male suicide terrorists also usually come from the margins of Palestinian society, and have various personal problems that make it easier to recruit them for suicide terrorism. In the case of men, however, the media mostly comments on the revenge motive – family members of the terrorist who were killed – or his difficult economic background, hinting that the male terrorist had nothing to lose.
    [Show full text]
  • Palestine/Israel
    Palestine/Israel PAL/02 - Marwan Barghouti Decision adopted unanimously by the IPU Governing Council at its 197th session (Geneva, 21 October 2015) The Governing Council of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Referring to the case of Mr. Marwan Barghouti, an incumbent member of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), and to the decision it adopted at its 195th session (October 2014), Also referring to Mr. Simon Foreman’s expert report on Mr. Barghouti's trial (CL/177/11(a)-R.2) and to the study published in September 2006 by B’Tselem (the Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories), entitled “Barred from Contact: Violation of the Right to Visit Palestinians Held in Israeli Prisons ”, Recalling the following information on file regarding Mr. Barghouti’s situation: - He was arrested on 15 April 2002 in Ramallah by the Israeli Defence Forces and transferred to a detention centre in Israel; on 20 May 2004, Tel Aviv District Court convicted him on one count of murder relating to attacks that killed five Israelis, on one count of attempted murder relating to a planned car bomb attack, and on one count of membership of a terrorist organization, and sentenced him to five life sentences and two 20-year prison terms; Mr. Barghouti did not lodge an appeal because he does not recognize Israeli jurisdiction; in his comprehensive report on Mr. Barghouti’s trial, Mr. Foreman stated that “the numerous breaches of international law make it impossible to conclude that Mr. Barghouti was given a fair trial”; those breaches included the use of torture; - According to his letter of 6 January 2013, the Diplomatic Advisor to the Knesset stated that: “Mr.
    [Show full text]
  • Zoa Dinner 800Zoa Dinner
    Founded 1897 Zionist Organization of America ATTEND STAR-STUDDED 800 ZOA DINNER Cong. Michele Bachmann (MN) Glenn Beck Cong. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL) Presidential Candidate Media Superstar, TV/Radio Host Chair, House Foreign Affairs Committee Author, 6 NY Times Bestsellers Dr. Irving and Cherna Moskowitz Award Adelson Defender of Israel Award Dr. Miriam Adelson Israeli Prime Minister Sheldon Adelson Distinguished Physician Benjamin Netanyahu Renowned Entrepreneur & Philanthropist Adelson Defender of Israel Presenter Video Address to ZOA Adelson Defender of Israel Presenter Upcoming ZOA DC Mission–April 25 ZOA People: Dr. Ben Chouake In ZOA Student Leadership Israel Trip This PA & Iran Clerics Call for Murdering Jews Secretary of Defense Panetta Criticizes Israel SPRING Issue NY Times Friedman Writes Anti-Semitic Column AND MORE... 2012 ZOA REPORT PB SPRING 2012 1 ZOA REPORT TABLE OF ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA CONTENTS PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Dramatic Change 2 President's Message 4 Around the Country in Egypt with Morton Klein 5 ZOA Brandeis Award Dinner 10 ZOA Center for Law and Justice 16 ZOA Government Relations Department 19 ZOA Brandeis Award Dinner Pictures 22 ZOA Campus has a Sharia law in every Islamic Activism Network The ZOA proud and deserved reputation for telling the simple truth, country. 24 Student Leadership whether popular or not. Remember, truth is not a political For these reasons, we Mission to Israel position. We take positions that are unpopular or contrary opposed U.S. efforts last to received wisdom if we believe the situation warrants it. year to push the regime off 27 ZOA People The Obama Administration’s policy of engaging, strengthen- the stage and replace it with Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • News of Terrorism and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (June 30 – July 6, 2021)
    רמה כ ז מל ו תשר מה ו ד י ע י ן ( למ מ" ) כרמ ז מה י ד עד ע מל ו ד י ע י ן ול רט ו ר News of Terrorism and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (June 30 – July 6, 2021) Overview Judea and Samaria: This past week there was a stabbing attack in the Jordan Valley. A Palestinian attacked an Israeli soldier and stole her weapon. He was apprehended a short time later. A Palestinian who threw an IED at the Israeli security forces during a riot near Nablus was shot killed. Demonstrations were held in Judea, Samaria and east Jerusalem: Palestinians continue holding demonstrations to protest the killing of political activist Nizar Banat. Several demonstrators were detained by the Palestinian security forces. Demonstrations were held by Fatah in support of the Palestinian Authority (PA). Despite the arrangement for a compromise reached with the residents of the Eviatar outpost and the evacuation of the site, demonstrations were held because the PA and Hamas rejected the internal Israel compromise. Palestinians demonstrated against Israel's razing of buildings constructed without authorization in Silwan in east Jerusalem. The Gaza Strip: This past week incendiary balloons were launched into Israeli territory near the Gaza Strip border, setting several fires. In response the IDF attacked terrorist targets. Rebuilding the Gaza Strip continues with efforts to find a mechanism for delivering money. In Lebanon a Hamas delegation headed by Isma'il Haniyeh met with Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Saleh al-'Arouri, deputy head of Hamas' political bureau, who lives in Lebanon, was appointed to another term as responsible for Hamas activity in Judea and Samaria.
    [Show full text]
  • U.S. Security Assistance to the Palestinian Authority
    U.S. Security Assistance to the Palestinian Authority Jim Zanotti Analyst in Middle Eastern Affairs January 8, 2010 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov R40664 CRS Report for Congress Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress U.S. Security Assistance to the Palestinian Authority Summary Since shortly after the establishment of limited Palestinian self-rule in the West Bank and Gaza Strip in the mid-1990s, the United States has periodically provided assistance to the Palestinian Authority (PA) for civil security and counterterrorism purposes. Following the death of Yasser Arafat in late 2004 and the election of Mahmoud Abbas as his successor as PA President in early 2005, then-U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice created the office of U.S. Security Coordinator (USSC) for Israel and the Palestinian Authority to help reform, train, and equip PA security forces which had been personally beholden to Arafat and his political allies. Previous Israeli-Palestinian efforts at security cooperation collapsed during the second Palestinian intifada that took place earlier this decade. Since Hamas gained control of the Gaza Strip in June 2007, Lieutenant General Keith Dayton, head of the USSC since November 2005, and the State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) have helped with the “gendarmerie-style” training of West Bank-based PA security personnel. As of June 2009, approximately 400 Presidential Guardsmen and 2,200 National Security Forces troops have been trained at the Jordan International Police Training Center (JIPTC) near Amman. All troops, new or already serving, are vetted for terrorist links, human rights violations, and/or criminal records by the State Department, Israel, Jordan, and the PA before they are admitted to U.S.-sponsored training courses at JIPTC.
    [Show full text]
  • The Palestinian Authority Employs a Policy of Rebuilding the Houses of Terrorists Demolished by Israel: the Case of Islam Abu Hamid
    רמה כ ז מל ו תשר מה ו ד י ע י ן ( למ מ" ) רמה כרמ כ ז ז מל מה ו י תשר עד מל מה ו ד ו י ד ע י י ע ן י ן ו ל ( רט למ ו מ" ר ) כרמ ז מה י עד מל ו ד י ע י ן ול רט ו רור The Palestinian Authority employs a policy of rebuilding the houses of terrorists demolished by Israel: the case of Islam Abu Hamid October 31, 2019 Overview On the night of October 24, 2019, the Israeli security forces demolished a building under construction in the al-Am'ari refugee camp near Ramallah. The house belonged to the family of Palestinian terrorist Islam Abu Hamid, who killed an IDF soldier in May 2018. Following the destruction Palestinians rioted and clashed with the Israeli security forces. Senior Palestinian Authority (PA) and Fatah figures rushed to announce that the PA would rebuild the house demolished by Israel. The rebuilding of terrorists' houses demolished by Israel is a pattern that repeats itself, part of the PA's consistent policy of providing benefits to terrorists and their families. The PA policy is also a way to challenge the deterrent message Israel tries to convey by demolishing the houses. The destruction of the house of terrorist Islam Abu Hamid in the al-Am'ari refugee camp near Ramallah (IDF Twitter account and Wafa, October 24, 2019). Palestinian rioters clash with Israeli security forces during the destruction of terrorist Islam Abu Hamid's house in the al-Am'ari refugee camp (QudsN Facebook page, October 24, 2019).
    [Show full text]