PLO takes pride in being the
source of international terror
by Itamar Marcus and Barbara Crook- Nov. 30, 2006
As the world recoils from
international terror, the PLO takes pride in the fact that it
has been the source of world terror, and that terrorists around
the world have copied their tactics and techniques.
It has already been noted by terror analysts that much of world
terror was started by the Palestinian terrorists, and then copied
by other terrorists in their own countries for their own purposes.
Whereas the world views this with contempt, the PLO’s
Fatah faction acknowledges this and even takes pride in it.
The Secretary of Fatah in Gaza, Ahmed Hales Abu Maher, expressed
pride on Palestinian TV that the Fatah "gives daily examples"
that the world has "imitated," from the participation
of children in combat to the widespread use of suicide terror,
all of which started with the Fatah-PLO.
The following is the statement
on PA TV:
Ahmed
Hales Abu Maher, Secretary of Fatah in Gaza:
“Oh warrior brothers, this is a nation that will never
be broken, it is a revolution that will never be defeated.
This is a nation that gives an example every day that is imitated
across the world. We gave the world the children of the RPG
[Rocket Propelled Grenades], we gave the world the children
stone [-throwers], and we gave the world the male and female
Martyrdom-Seekers [suicide bombers]."
[Palestinian
Authority TV, November 14, 2006]
PA grants religious status
to suicide terror
by Itamar Marcus and Barbara Crook- Nov. 8, 2006
Even before today's Israeli action
that accidentally hit civilians, the Palestinian Authority has
continued to promote Jihad, Shahada (Death for Allah) and suicide
terror as religious imperatives, and to grant the highest status
and rewards to the Shahids (Martyrs for Allah) and terrorists.
A recent religious lesson on
official PA TV, under the office of Mahmoud Abbas, taught of
the immediate rewards of heaven for the Shahid, including the
promise of 72 Dark-Eyed Maidens (virgins) of Paradise.
The PA also continues to promote suicide bombings by granting
Shahada status to suicide terrorists. Sheik Imad Hamato appearing
on PA TV, compares suicide terror to a story (from the Hadith)
of a friend of Muhammad who was killed accidentally with his
own sword. Muhammad nonetheless granted him Shahid status.
"It’s like the conflict today! One who exploded with
a bomb," says Hamato.
He is teaching that with proper intent, self-inflicted death
is seen not as suicide but as Shahada. Hamato also points out
that a Shahid is granted divine forgiveness “from the
first gush of blood.”
Hamato gives
a graphic description of the corpse of a Shahid, with “no
head, no legs, his body completely burned . . . intestines outside,
fingers . . . gone” – very much like the body of
a suicide bomber. He explains that while ordinary mortals fear
such a death, this is “what the Shahids wish for most
of all.”
Click here to see the video:
http://www.pmw.org.il/asx/PMW_Shahada2006.asx
Following are some excerpts from
the PA TV religious lesson:
"Hadith: There is one
thing that causes Allah…to elevate his worshipper 100
levels in Paradise, and each level is like the space between
heaven and earth. And what is this thing, Allah’s prophet
[Muhammad]? It’s the Jihad for Allah. Jihad for Allah…
“A man, when he sees one of his brothers
being killed for Allah, those we consider Shahids for Allah,
he sees [for example] a person with no head, no legs, his
body completely burned. Yes? Intestines outside, fingers are
gone, it’s a difficult image. The most difficult thing
which we fear is what the Shahids wish for most of all.
"They ask Allah: ‘Oh God, bring
us back [to earth] to be killed by the Apache. Bring us back
so that the planes will blow us up, that our heads will be
cut off from the body.’ What is that? We have criteria,
and Allah, praise him, also has criteria. Study the Hadiths
that discuss this issue to understand the essence of Shahada
for Allah…
"Hadith: One of the Prophet Muhammad’s
good friends was preparing a bow and arrow when his own sword
struck him and killed him… Is he considered a Shahid
or not? Did he commit suicide? It’s like the conflict
today! One who exploded with a bomb. People talk about whether
or not he’s a Shahid…"
[Hamato continues with the Hadith, that
people did not want to pray in memory of a man who was killed
by his sword, because they didn’t know if he was a Shahid
or committed suicide]. “They said: ‘The man died
from his own weapon, and not from the weapon of the enemy.’
Answered Prophet Muhammad: ‘He died in an attempt to
be a holy warrior… And his reward for that was doubled…'
"Khamtu says: 'When we talk about Shahid
and Shahids, we shouldn’t forget that Allah, praise
him, in blessing the blood of the Shahid, he forgives him,
from the first gush of blood. Yes, yes. And sees his place
in Paradise. He is shielded from the Great Shock and marries
72 Dark-Eyed Maidens (virgins)...'
“I once heard a father of one of the Shahids say: ‘I
would pray with my son at night, and ask Allah for Shahada
for my son.’ Allah Akbar, God is Great. ‘I asked
Allah for Shahada for my son, until Allah gave me joy with
his Shahada…”
[PA TV, November 3, 2006]
Click here to see the video:
http://www.pmw.org.il/asx/PMW_Shahada2006.asx
Palestinians use woman and children
as shields to save terrorists
by Itamar Marcus and Barbara Crook - Nov. 5, 2006
Introduction
Palestinian terror organizations
used woman and children as human shields this past weekend to
save terrorists holed up in a mosque in Gaza. The group of terrorists
were under siege and Israel was demanding their surrender. In
response, the Palestinians organized a human shield of more
than 200 woman and children to surround the men and walk them
to safety.
According to the PA daily:
"About 200 female residents
crossed the village along with their children until they reached
the besieged Al Nasr mosque, broke into it and released 15
armed men... During this mission, two women died …"
[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, November 4, 2006]
According to the report, the
Palestinians had decided that the lives of the terrorists were
more important than the lives of the woman and children:
"Muhammad, from the Al Qassam
Brigades, the military branch of the Hamas, who was among
those under siege [said]: 'What matters is that we were released…'
His mother … said that the women waved white flags,
'but the tanks kept shooting at us. All we cared about was
to release our sons, even if it cost our lives…' The
woman citizens walked quickly surrounding the exhausted fighters…
towards the 'safer alleyways' of Beit Hanun.”
[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, November 4, 2006]
As PMW has reported in the past, this is not the first time
the PA has urged civilians to enter combat zones. It is part
of a consistent pattern since the outbreak of the terror war
in October 2000. In one previous instance the PA called on "woman,
children, and the elderly" to stand in front of IDF bulldozers
that were searching for weapons tunnels between Gaza and Egypt
in May 2004 [Al Ayyam, May 17,
2004].
Meanwhile UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan seemed to blaming
Israel for the civilian deaths saying he was:
"deeply
concerned about the continuing escalation of violence and
rising death toll caused by the Israeli military operation
in northern Gaza... several civilians have already been killed
and wounded, including women and at least one Palestinian
child" (www.imra.org.il).
The following are 2 stories
that appeared in the Palestinian official daily Al Hayat Al
Jadida:
"Hundreds of female residents managed,
in a dangerous mission, to break the siege on the mosque which
was besieged by the occupation tanks in the center of the
Beit Hanun village, after dozens of residents, some of whom
were armed, took refuge in it...
"The women passed through several armored
tanks, which were stationed in the western entrance to Beit
Hanun, while under the fire from Israeli combat helicopters.
About 200 female residents crossed the village along with
their children until they reached the besieged Al Nasr mosque,
broke into it and released 15 armed men from different [terrorist]
factions. During this mission, two women residents died as
Shahids [died for Allah]...
"Iman Al-Yaziji, who was accompanied by
her 13 year old only son, told Agence France Presse, that
the women tried ‘in vain’ several times to break
into the area of the mosque, and added… 'Finally, we
decided to enter despite the fact that some of us died as
Shahids and got injured, and we entered the mosque and we
released the resistance men [terrorists].' She continued:
'Bullets were showered on our heads from the tanks and the
helicopters and killed two of us mercilessly'...
"Muhammad, from the Al Qassam Brigades, the military
branch of the Hamas, was among those under siege, and told
the French news agency: 'What matters is that we were released.'
"His mother, Um Muhammad… said that
the women waved white flags, 'but the tanks kept shooting
at us. All we cared about was to release our sons, even if
it cost our lives… The woman residents walked quickly,
surrounding the exhausted fighters, who seemed to be unarmed,
towards the 'safer alleyways' of Beit Hanun.”
[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, November
4, 2006]
"The occupation
forces escalated their attacks, which began three days ago,
on the Gaza Strip … while the female residents in Beit
Hanun and Bethlehem went out to challenge the occupation army…
"The occupation forces continued their attacks yesterday
on the Beit Hanun village, where they killed two women during
a march of women who broke through the occupation’s
armored tanks that besieged the Al Nasr Mosque. The women
managed to save dozens of residents and resistance fighters
[e.g. terrorists] who were under siege in the Mosque."
[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, November 4, 2006]
More anti-American hatred
in official PA daily's cartoons
by Itamar Marcus and Barbara Crook- Nov. 2, 2006
The official Palestinian Authority
(PA) daily newspaper, Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, has for years promoted
anti-American hatred, often through the publication of hateful
political cartoons. This tactic has continued in recent weeks
with a new spate of anti-American cartoons.
In the first cartoon below,
the US is portrayed as a menacing threat to the Arab world.
America and Al Qaeda have sent the Grim Reaper, who is shown
surrounded by piles of skulls in Iraq yet already searching
for his next Arab victims. The second shows the US's attempt
to dominate the entire world, as Uncle Sam sits happily on top
of the globe. The third cartoon continues the PA's active support
of Saddam Hussein and the insurgency in Iraq. It focuses on
America's high losses in the past month by replacing the stars
of the American flag with skulls, while Uncle Sam stares at
the flag and cries.
Al-Hayat Al-Jadida,
which published these hate cartoons, is under the complete control
of the office of PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas. US Secretary of
State Condoleezza Rice praised Abbas last month: "We have
great admiration for you and your leadership…You have
the strong support of the US and a personal commitment from
President George Bush" (AP and The Jerusalem Post,
October 5, 2006).
The
following cartoons appeared at the end of October:
Sign on pile of skulls on TV: “Iraq.”
Grim Reaper says: “This series is brought to you by America
and Al Qaeda.”
[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, October 20, 2006]
[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, October
20, 2006]
Note the skulls that replace
the stars in the flag.
Text on top: “More than 100 American soldiers have been
killed in Iraq this past month!”
Text under flag: “Iraq”
[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, October 30, 2006]
PA Daily:
Jews fan the flames of evil, provoke wars, control finance and
media
and dominate US policy
by Itamar Marcus and Barbara Crook - Nov. 1, 2006
The official Palestinian Authority
newspaper Al-Hayat Al-Jadida published a vicious anti-Semitic
article last week that included many of the classic anti-Semitic
libels and modern "updates":
- Jews start wars, including the war
in Iraq, to promote Jews' power and control
- Jews are the dominant force in United States policy
- Jews control international finance
- Jews control international media
In the article, Muhammad Khalifa,
columnist from the United Arab Emirates, argues that the US
is planning to control all of the world's countries from a single
central government in New York. The Jews, who dominate or control
every key element in the US, including the stock market, the
media and international finance, have used their "custom"
of starting international wars to cement this US control.
The Jews, says Khalifa, started
the war in Iraq as the first step to "force the other Arab
nations to voluntarily surrender to their will." But this
tactic will ultimately fail, lead to World War III and be the
end of Western culture.
It is important to note that Al Hayat-Al Jadida is
controlled not by the Hamas government but by the office of
PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas.
The following are the main sections:
"Since the downfall of
the former Soviet Union in 1991, the US became the sole superpower
in the world, heralding the idea of ‘The new American
era.’ Jews implanted in the [nerve] centers of the American
nation created theories about this idea which they adopted.
This term is based on the fact that the entire world has to
be stamped with the seal of Americanization, and that all of
the world's countries will be governed by one government, located
in New York…
"There is one global
stock market situated in New York, and it is controlled by Jews.
This stock market guides the currency markets in all of the
world, sets the price of gold, and ultimately the value of various
currencies around the world…
"In order for this idea
to be realized, it was necessary to initiate [lit: to spark]
wars, because wars, according to the custom of the Jews, are
the only means that can bring about the desired change. The
[wars] uproot the opponents, as they did in the first and second
World Wars, so that had they [the wars] not happened, the United
States would have not taken over the world, and the Jews would
have not reached the center of this dominance. And so, wars
are very necessary, and in order to justify initiating wars,
the theory of the 'clash of civilizations' of Samuel Huntington
appeared, which argues that the current century will witness
a clash of civilizations in the world, as Western civilization
will clash with the Islamic civilization and Buddhist civilization.
The American media circles, which are connected to the Zionist
Jewish lobby, took it upon themselves to propagate this theory
which spread everywhere and left all nations with an intense
sense of fear…
"At that moment, the
events of September 11, 2001 took place, and these were used
as an excuse to start the global wars of subjugation. The first
target chosen was Afghanistan, claiming that those who carried
out the September attacks came from there… This invasion
was justified with the 'just war' theory, even though Afghanistan
was not an immediate threat to the US…
"Once the invasion of Afghanistan was successful, the Jews
began planning the invasion of Iraq claiming that it poses a
serious threat to the American national security. The Jewish
propaganda played a big role in exaggerating the Iraqi danger,
until Iraq was portrayed as a monster threatening to swallow
the world. The US began preparing for the Iraqi invasion as
the next step in the project of global wars… and it conquered
Iraq and destroyed the Iraqi nation, and the Jews thought that,
with the destruction of Iraq, they would force the other Arab
nations to fully and voluntarily surrender to their will. But
later events disappointed them, as [armed] resistance burst
forth in Iraq, which complicated their domination plans, and
buried their hope to create a new pro-Israeli Iraq …
"In conclusion,
the role of the Jews in bolstering the inclination to evil,
and fuelling its fire, and provoking wars, such as the war against
Iraq, will inevitably cause the downfall of the American military
power. When this power falls, it will mean the end of Western
civilization, and the beginning of World War III which will
erase everything and leave nothing behind, resulting in the
end of the American empire as a superpower."
Al Hayat Al Jadida, October 23, 2006
PA TV educational program:
Jews have no historical connection
to Western Wall – It’s an Islamic site named for
Muhammad’s horse
by Itamar Marcus and Barbara Crook, Oct. 19, 2006
During the month of Ramadan,
Palestinian Authority television programs focus on religious
themes. But even within these programs, PA TV inserts political,
hate and violence messages directed at Israel. PA TV is run
by the office of PA President Mahmoud Abbas.
One significant message that
has been strongly emphasized by repeated broadcasting of the
same programs is the denial of Israel’s right to exist.
One program, which recently appeared on PA TV three times in
the course of a single week, features Dr. Hassan Khader, founder
of the Al Quds Encyclopedia, who argues that the Jews have no
ancient historical connection to the Western Wall of the Temple.
He teaches:
"The first connection of the Jews to
this site began in the 16th Century... The Jewish connection
to this site is a recent connection, not ancient… like
the roots of the Islamic connection… Who would have
believed that the Israelis would arrive 1400 years [after
the beginning of Islam], conquer Jerusalem and would make
this wall into their special place of worship, where they
worship and pray?”
The true name of the Western
Wall of the Temple, according to the PA academic, is really
the Al Buraq Wall – named after Muhammad’s horse
which was tied to the wall – according to an Islamic tradition
that attempts to honor Jerusalem.
Finally, Khader praises all
the violence and death the Palestinians have initiated to prevent
Jews’ access to the Western Wall and Temple Mount, from
the beginning of the 20th century until now, and indicates that
it will continue if Jews insist on the right to the Western
Wall.
The following are excepts from his interview:
Khader: “The issue of the Al-Buraq
Wall [Western Wall – renamed by Muslims "Buraq
Wall" after Muhammad's horse] is one of the wonders which
we don’t know why it happened in this order [of historical
events]. Who would have believed, back then, when Islam began
in the time of the prophet, who would have believed that the
Israelis would arrive 1400 years later, conquer Jerusalem
and would make this wall into their special place of worship,
where they worship and pray? It’s incredible! We did
not invent this place, the Al-Buraq Wall. Know that this wall
is the only one of the four walls of the Al-Aqsa Mosque -
the Mosque has four sides - this wall is the only one that
carries an Islamic name since the beginning of Islam. Allah,
praise Him, gave Al-Aqsa its name, and the Al-Buraq Wall was
named by the Prophet… The Al-Buraq Wall is the station,
similar to a space station, where Al-Buraq [Muhammad’s
horse] landed. This is the place where Al-Buraq landed and
the prophet tied Al-Buraq [to the wall].
[PMW note: The Quran (Sura
17) writes that Muhammad took a Night Journey from the Mosque
in Mecca to "The Farthest Mosque" (Al-Aqsa in Arabic) initially understood to indicate heaven. After the
Islamic conquest of Jerusalem, Muslims, trying to honor Jerusalem,
gave a new interpretation to this words "Al-Aqsa"
– meaning it was a Mosque in Jerusalem.
-- From Studies in the History of the Arabs and Islam,
Prof. Hava Lazarus-Yafeh]
"... This is the place
from which the prophet entered and exited Al-Aqsa. I always
say that from an Islamic perspective, this is the holy gate
of Al-Aqsa… This is the only wall that carries an Islamic
name since the dawn of Islam...
“This is the single wall
from among the Al-Aqsa walls for which a revolution took place
in the past century. Everyone knows the Al-Buraq revolution
that took place on August 23, 1929. [Editor - Arabs rioted
and killed many Jews] This revolution, that took place for
this holy site for the Muslims, and we know, all of you know,
oh brothers, that the Al-Buraq revolution was a 'wave' revolution,
all Palestinian people took part in it..."
“The first connection of the Jews to this site began
in the 16th Century [and cites a "Hebrew Encyclopedia"
as a source]. The Hebrew Encyclopedia says that the Jewish
connection is a coincidental connection that began in the
Ottoman era. If so, the Jewish connection to this site is
a recent connection, not ancient, its roots are not like the
roots of the Islamic connection...
"The Jewish connection to this site
is a fabricated connection, a coincidental connection... "
"[Some may argue:] The Al-Buraq Wall
is simply a small wall, a few meters long, a number of bricks,
what is it worth? What we are interested in is the Al-Aqsa
Mosque, and we can give it [the Wall] to the Jews, they have
no [other] religious sites. This is a highly significant matter!
This site currently represents the heart of the Arab-Israeli
conflict. This is the most essential point in the Arab-Israeli
conflict. No one can ignore it anymore. As we said, revolutions
took place for the sake of [Al-Buraq], and for its sake revolutions
are still taking place today. The first revolution in the
past century was named after Al-Buraq and Al-Aqsa, and the
last revolution, the last Intifada, the Al-Aqsa Intifada,
we are still living it until today.”
[PA TV, October 13, 2006]
Video documentation of Abbas's lie to Rice about "recognizing" Israel
by Itamar Marcus and Barbara Crook - Oct. 8, 2006
As PMW reported last week Mahmoud Abbas continued the PA practice of saying in English what Western leaders want to hear while giving his people a diametrically opposed message in Arabic.
In this most recent case, which should have important repercussions for future US - PA relations, Mahmoud Abbas told Condoleeza Rice and the Arab world on Al-Arabiya satellite TV, contradictory messages about the essence of the conflict. He told Rice that he demands that Hamas recognize Israel, only a day after telling the Arab world that not only doesn't Hamas have to recognize Israel but even Fatah, which he heads, is not required to recognize Israel.
Abbas: "Hamas is not required, Hamas is not required to recognize Israel... It is not required of Hamas, nor of Fatah, nor of the Popular Front to recognize Israel."
However he does demand that Hamas ministers and Fatah ministers of a future government recognize the existence of their Israeli counterparts.
Abbas: "How can this government, or these ministers, not recognize their [Israeli] counterparts, and then solve [Palestinian] people's problems?... How can he make an agreement with him if he does not recognize him?"
PMW released this report on Oct 5 2006 without the video.
The following is the text of the video:
Host: "But maybe Hamas is right that it does not want to recognize Israel."
Abbas: "Hamas is not required, Hamas is not required to recognize Israel... It is not required of Hamas, nor of Fatah, nor of the Popular Front to recognize Israel. Okay?"
"The PLO, in 1993, recognized Israel as Israel recognized the PLO. Every person has the right to say 'I do not recognize.' Okay? It's your right. It is the right of every organization. But the government which will be formed, and which will function opposite the Israelis on a daily basis... [every hour and perhaps every second, there will be contact between Palestinian ministers and Israeli ministers. And I ask] how can this government, or these ministers, not recognize their counterparts, and then solve people's problems?" [Abbas then gives an example of 500 million dollars in taxes intended for the Palestinians, but put on hold by Israelis]. "The Palestinian finance minister has to come to an agreement with the Israeli finance minister about the transfer of the money. So how can he make an agreement with him if he does not recognize him?
"So I do not demand of Hamas nor any other to recognize Israel. But from the government that works with Israelis in day to day life, yes."
[Al-Arabiya [Dubai] and Palestinian
TV, October 3, 2006]
Abbas dupes
US:
"Recognition"
is functional, not inherent
by Itamar Marcus and Barbara Crook- Oct. 5, 2006
“Abbas: Hamas must recognize
Israel,” announced the headline on the lead story in today’s
Jerusalem Post. The article went on to report that “PA
chairman Mahmoud Abbas vowed to fire the Hamas-led government
before the end of the month unless... they accepted Israel's
right to exist. Abbas made his pledge in a meeting with US Secretary
of State Condoleezza Rice, who expressed Washington's full support
for the PA chairman and his Fatah party in their confrontation
with Hamas."
Only the day before, however,
Abbas said on PA TV that Hamas does not have to recognize Israel
– nor does his own Fatah faction: “Hamas is not
required to recognize Israel… It is not required of Hamas,
or of Fatah, or of the Popular Front to recognize Israel.”
He went on to say that government
officials must “recognize their counterparts” in
order to “solve people’s problems,” indicating
that this does not constitute an inherent recognition of Israel,
just a functional recognition that allows the PA to get what
it needs:
“I do not demand of
Hamas nor any other to recognize Israel. But from the government
that works with Israelis in day to day life, yes.”
It
appears that Rice has been duped into believing that this is
a sincere recognition of Israel. She told Abbas after their
meeting: "We have great admiration for you and leadership,"
and is quoted in The Jerusalem Post as saying that
the US will “redouble efforts” to help the Palestinians.
The following interview with Mahmoud
Abbas was broadcast on Al-Arabiya [based in Dubai] and Palestinian
TV on October 3, 2006 :
The host asks Mahmoud Abbas which points
Hamas opposed [thus preventing the establishing of a Palestinian
unity government].
Abbas: One of the most
prominent sections the Hamas opposed is the Arab initiative.
The Arab initiative, we were those who created it... There
are important things in the Arab initiative, despite that
they [Hamas] claim that the initiative does not deal with
the refugees. And I say that the inclusion of the refugee
issue is as clear as the sun. There is a clause calling for
a just and agreed solution for the refugee problem according
to [UN] resolution 194 [regarding refugees]. So how can they
say the clause does not exist? Another subject – they
say that it [the Arab initiative] recognizes Israel. The document
states that should Israel evacuate Arab lands, should Israel
evacuate Palestinian lands, and if a Palestinian state will
be established, and if the refugee problem will be solved,
all the Arabs will then normalize their relations with Israel.
Similarly, the Islamic Conference adopted the initiative,
as well as the Islamic countries regarding normalizing relations.
So where is the error? Where is the error when they say they
don’t want it [the Arab initiative]? There are four
conditions! That is – if this will happen, and that
will happen, and this will happen, and that will happen, we
will reach… [normalization].”
Host: “But maybe
Hamas is right regarding the fact that it does not want to
recognize Israel.”
Abbas [snaps]: “Hamas
is not required, Hamas is not required to recognize Israel…
It is not required of Hamas, or of Fatah, or of the Popular
Front to recognize Israel, all right?
"The PLO, in 1993, recognized Israel.
As Israel recognized the PLO. Every person has the right to
say ‘I do not recognize,’ okay? It’s your
right. It is the right of every organization. But the government
which will be formed, and which will function opposite the
Israelis on a daily basis… every hour and perhaps every
second, there will be contact between Palestinian ministers
and Israeli ministers. And I ask – how can this government,
or these ministers, not recognize their counterparts, and
then solve people’s problems?” [Abbas then gives
an example of 500 million dollars in taxes intended for the
Palestinians, but put on hold by Israelis. The Palestinian
finance minister has to come to an agreement with the Israeli
finance minister regarding the transfer of that money.] “So
how can he make an agreement with him if he does not recognize
him?
"So I do not
demand of Hamas nor any other [organizations] to recognize
Israel. But from the government that works with Israelis in
day to day life, yes.”
Was 2004 prisoner release the motivation
for 2006 kidnappings?
by Itamar Marcus and Barbara Crook- Sept. 27, 2006
The recent kidnappings by Hamas
and Hezbollah of Israeli soldiers as barter for jailed terrorists were not the first. In 2004, Israel
released more than 1,000 jailed terrorists in exchange for Israelis
kidnapped by Hezbollah.
In 2004 the Palestinians expressed support
for the Hezbollah and saw the kidnapping as a positive precedent.
They responded with statements that
kidnappings leading to release of prisoners would be their modus
operandi for the release of more prisoners in the future. [See statements below.]
Given these statements and their effect on
the Palestinian population,it is certainly plausible that the recent kidnappings that led
to the war were a direct result of Israel's actions in 2004, which
led Palestinians to conclude that Israel would continue to free
terrorists to gain the release of kidnapped hostages.
The overwhelming Palestinian support for the
current kidnappings indicates how deeply entrenched among Palestinians
is the assumption that Israel will acquiesce to the prisoner
exchange demands.
The following quotes from the PMW
archives are Palestinian responses immediately after the exchange
of terrorists for kidnapped Israelis in January 2004, and subsequent
responses throughout the year:
“Fatah’s military branch organized
a civilian and military procession yesterday through the streets
of Rafah. This event was held in appreciation and gratitude
for the efforts Hizbullah made for the release of Arab and
Palestinian prisoners from Israel jails as part of the prisoner
exchange deal with Israel. In a public statement by the Abu
Al-Rish Brigades, Fatah’s military wing emphasized the
need to follow Hezbollah’s example in order to achieve
the release of all prisoners and detainees."
[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, January 29, 2004]
“PM Ahmad Qurei: The detainees issue
is at the top of the [Palestinian] government’s list
of priorities. Their release is a condition to any possible
deal. Protests in all areas. “The Al Aqsa Martyr Brigades”
called on its members to kidnap Israelis in order to pressure
Israel on the prisoners’ issue….”
[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, August 16, 2004]
“The Islamic Jihad movement pointed
out – in a public statement that was published on its
behalf and was distributed during the procession – that
it has the right to do any action for the prisoners’
release…Mushir Al-Masri, Hamas spokesman, said that
‘Hamas’ threats to kidnap soldiers still exist,
and the movement will do everything in its power for the sake
of the prisoners’ release…’”
[Al-Ayyam, August 17, 2004]
“The Hamas movement organized a mass
rally yesterday in the refugee camp in Jabaliya…in a
sign of solidarity with the prisoners and the detainees…Many
of the family members of the prisoners and the Shahids [Martyrs]
participated in the rally…A senior member in the Hamas
movement, Dr. Nizar Rayan…called on all resistance factions
to act for the kidnapping of Israeli soldiers in order to
exchange them with our brave prisoners….”
[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, August 21, 2004]
“The Al-Quds Brigades, Islamic
Jihad’s military wing, and the Al Aqsa Martyr Brigades,
which belong to the Fatah movement, threatened to kidnap Israeli
settlers and soldiers for the release of the prisoners in
Israeli detention centers...The Al Quds Brigades and the Al
Aqsa Martyr Brigades said during a joint press conference
in the tent of a sit-down strike in the square of the unknown
soldier: ‘…we have decided to increase our efforts
to kidnap Zionist soldiers and settlers…we will not
back down and we will not change our minds about that purpose,
in no way, and we will do everything in our power in order
to achieve it.’ They mentioned several previous kidnapping
attempts within the last three months, which have failed…They
added… that directions were given… to all military
chains to begin operations for kidnapping Israeli settlers
and soldiers to save the prisoners.”
[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, August 27, 2004]
Hamas: Pope is Nazi,
arrogant, stupid and criminal;
Allah will punish Pope in due time
by Itamar Marcus and Barbara Crook- Sept. 25, 2006
A cartoon in the current issue
of the official Hamas weekly "Al Risala"
features Pope Benedict holding a Swastika while wearing a scarf
of US and Danish flags. Meanwhile, on Fatah-controlled PA TV,
a Hamas religious leader called the Pope "criminal and
arrogant," "ignorant and stupid," and then warned
the Pope to await his punishment. Allah doesn't necessarily
punish the wicked immediately, but waits "until a day when
eyes will stare (in terror)."
Text: "The Pope and those who live under his cloak"
[Al-Risala, September 18, 2006]
From the Friday sermon by Hamas religious
leader, Dr. Osama Al-Mazini:
"The second message is for the criminal Benedict the 16th,
the Vatican Pope. For this ignorant and stupid Pope, who has
no one to attack besides Islam and the Prophet [Muhammad], may
the Creator have mercy on him and protect him. He [the Pope]
characterized Islam as a cruel religion, and characterized Muhammad,
may the Creator have mercy on him and protect him, as a cruel
man, spilling blood, who strove to kill. This hostile Pope refuses
to apologize to Muslims; and, instead of apologizing he blames
the Muslims for not understanding, thereby adding crime upon
crime. This arrogant Pope sees the Muslims as too inferior that
he should apologize to them. To this arrogant Pope - criminal
and arrogant - this message is from Allah the Elevated and the
Exalted, as it was said: 'Think not that Allah is unaware of
what the wicked do. He but gives them a respite until a day
when eyes will stare (in terror).' [Sura14:42]"
[Palestinian Authority TV, September 22, 2006]
Virgins of Paradise -
music video returns to PA TV
by Itamar Marcus and Barbara Crook- Sept. 19, 2006
A music video depicting
a Shahid (Martyr for Allah) being rewarded by marrying the Dark Eyed Maidens
(Virgins) of Paradise has returned to Palestinian Authority (PA) television.
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Maidens in paradise turn to approaching Martyr
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The clip portrays a woman being shot
in the back by Israeli soldiers. She is immediately
transported to Paradise, where she joins
other Maidens wearing identical long white gowns, all joyously dancing
in water, waiting to marry their Shahid. The next scenes depict
sthe grieving man visiting the woman's grave. He is likewise shot in the
back by soldiers, and immediately transported to heaven to his reward
of "Maidens."
To view video of Martyr with Maidens of Paradise click here.
This is one of the longest-running music
videos on PA TV and had been broadcast incessantly for years, often several
times a day during the PA terror war (2000-2005). This recurring image
of the Martyr being rewarded by receiving the Maidens was part of the
multifaceted PA campaign glorifying and encouraging terror, and promoting
suicide terror as idyllic Shahada (Martyrdom for Allah).
After an absence of more than a year,
PA TV has begun broadcasting this video clip regularly for the past month.
The belief that man is rewarded with
beautiful women in Paradise is based on Islamic traditions in the Quran
[Suras 42, 44, 52, 56, and others] and the Hadith (traditions
attributed to Muhammad), and is expressed regularly in many parts of PA
society. .
Click on the following 5 links to
see:
1
- Mothers who celebrate terrorist sons' deaths as weddings
Mother: "We do not encourage our sons
to die. We encourage them to Shahada for the homeland, for Allah. We don't
say to the mothers of the shahids, 'We have come to comfort you,' but
'We have come to bless you on the wedding of your son, on the Shahada
of your son. Congratulations to you on the Shahada...' For us, the mourning
is joyous. We give out drinks, we give out sweets. Praise to God - the
mourning is a joyous occasion." [PA TV, November 17, 2004
2 - Woman
says her planned suicide terror would have made her one of the Maidens
who would marry a Martyr
Q. Had you succeeded in [your suicide]
mission, what would have been your reward?
A. The reward was from Allah, in Paradise. The female Martyrdom-seeker
becomes one of the Dark-Eyed Maidens, and she marries one of the Martyrs.
[IBA news, Oct. 2004]
3
- Suicide terrorists who anticipate the Maidens as reward in farewell
videos
Terrorist: "Angels
of mercy, escort our souls to Heaven after we fulfill this duty of crushing
the descendents of monkeys and pigs. Dear father and mother, blessings
of honor and respect to you, while you escort me to the Maidens of Paradise
as a Martyr."
4
- Mother explaining that her son's motivation to terror was his inability
to find a bride so he chose to be a Martyr to marry the Maidens of Paradise
Mother: "He
would always dream of Shahada, it was his first and last goal in life.
I told him, 'Dear, we all want to be shahids.' He said, 'In this entire
world, I can't think of anyone to marry. I want to marry the Dark Eyed
[Virgins or Maidens of Paradise].' I said [that] if these are his thoughts,
I wish him Shahada."
[PA TV, January 21, 2003]
5
- PA religious leaders teach that the 72 Dark Eyed Virgins is reward of
Martyr
"When the
Shahid meets his Maker, all his sins are forgiven from the first gush
of blood. He is exempted from the torments of the grave (Judgment); he
sees his place in paradise, he is shielded from the great shock, and marries
72 Dark Eyed (Virgins)." [Dr. Ismail al-Radouan, PA TV, August 17,
2001]
The PA grants Shahid (Martyr) status
to all those killed in conflict including suicide bombers and other terrorists.
The Jerusalem Post Op-Ed
How Fatah got religion and lost
power
by Itamar Marcus and Barbara Crook- Sept. 13, 2006
God was left out when the Palestine
Liberation Organization was founded in 1964. Its 1968 charter
made no mention of Allah, nor did it cite the Koran. The PLO
Charter is an Arab nationalistic document which defines the
Palestinian goal as the destruction of Israel, thereby facilitating
the unification of the Arab world.
God is everywhere, however, in the 1988
charter of Hamas. For the Islamists, whose government was
elected by the Palestinians in January 2006, the ultimate
goal is for Islam to rule the world. The Palestinian conflict
with Israel, meanwhile, is carried out in the name of God
- not Arab nationalism.
Welcome to the New Middle East.
But how did this radical change come about?
How did 11 years of Fatah-PLO socialization wind up with the
radical Islamists capturing the hearts and minds of Palestinian
society?
To understand this transformation from secular
nationalism to radical Islamic rule, let's start with Machiavelli.
In The Prince he implored leaders to use religion for political
purposes. Rulers should appear to be religious: "There
is nothing more necessary to appear to have than this last
quality [religion]."
FOR YEARS, the Fatah leadership of the Palestinian
Authority actively followed this philosophy. They promoted
religion and unwittingly paved the way for the current Hamas
regime.
Both Yasser Arafat and Mahmoud Abbas routinely
had the media give prominence to religious leaders. Many of
them promoted religiously-based hatred and violence against
Jews and Israel. Fatah leaders appeared on TV praying in the
mosques even when the sermons delivered preached genocide.
Islamic education was given prominence in the PA's school
system.
Arafat, though himself secular, did not
hesitate to call Palestine an Islamic trust or wakf. And the
draft of the proposed Palestinian constitution recognized
Islamic law.
Most significantly, the incessant promotion
and glorification of jihad and shahada ("death for Allah"),
intended to motivate suicide bombings gave prominence to Islam
as the driving force in the battle against Israel.
FATAH'S RELIGIOUS pretense was so successful
that it Islamicized its own people, especially Palestinian
youth.
In a March 2005 poll, 70 percent of Palestinians
preferred Islamic law, Shari'a, to the laws of the PA parliament.
Less than a year later, in January 2006, Hamas completed its
journey from a fringe movement to the Prime Minister's Office.
The push by Arafat and Abbas to make religion a dominant motivation
behind the war with Israel had been more "successful"
than they could have anticipated.
In stark contrast to the PLO Charter, in
Hamas's charter the name "Allah" appears a resounding
105 times; with 39 quotes from the Koran and the sayings and
practices of Muhammad.
Every part of Hamas's ideology is presented
as God's eternal truth. Indeed, those who drafted the document
opened it with the words, "In the name of Allah the most
Merciful," followed by verses from the Koran that focus
on Islamic supremacy - fitting for a religious work, not a
political document.
HAMAS IS an an acronym for Islamic Resistance
Movement; the word "Palestine" is not even present
in the movement's name. That's in contrast to the "Palestine
Liberation Organization," whose focus is on the liberation
of Palestine and not on God or Islam.
Fatah and Hamas both seek Israel's destruction
- so from an Israeli perspective there is little practical
difference between the two. But for Palestinians, the two
movements represent completely divergent goals.
The PLO Charter saw the Palestinian state
as temporary, leading to "Arab unity" [Article 11],
while the Hamas Charter sees the destruction of Israel as
leading to Islamic unity - and a time when muezzins will announce
from Palestine's minarets the birth of the "State of
Islam." [Article 9].
THIS TRANSITION from secular Arab leadership
to radical Islamic leadership has significant implications.
Under a Hamas government, peace and acceptance of Israel's
right to exist will never be possible because Hamas sees the
destruction of Israel and extermination of Jews as reflecting
God's unchanging truths [Articles 7 and 3].
And whereas pronouncements made in Arabic
by the Arafat-Abbas regimes, or a look at the school books
they have produced, make it clear that Fatah never accepted
Israel's right to exist, secular Palestinian nationalism always
had an intrinsic potential for moderation.
It was also possible that a future charismatic
secular leader might one day change direction and bring Palestinians
to accept Israel.
But because of its divinely dictated ideology,
however, acceptance of Israel is impossible for Hamas. The
need for Israel's destruction is not the opinion of political
leaders, as with Fatah, but God's immutable will.
Indeed, Hamas leaders insist that they do
not have opinions of their own - they play the modest role
of intermediary, informing society of God's plan, as explained
in Article 12 of the Hamas charter.
Indicative of the new reality was how the
Al Ayyam newspaper described the scene in March 2006, when
the new Hamas-led parliament selected Ismail Haniyeh as the
new premier: "After the vote, one of the Hamas MPs, Hamad
Al-Bithouey, waved a Koran and called out loud: "Allahu
akbar."
The Hamas legislators responded with calls:
"The Koran is our constitution, Mohammed is our prophet,
jihad is our path and dying as martyrs for Allah is our greatest
wish."
The current efforts between Fatah and Hamas
to form a new unity government do not reflect a closing of
the ideological gap, but a desperate need for renewal of Western
funding.
Whatever happens in the current efforts
between Fatah and Hamas to form a coalition government, the
fundamental ideological and theological shift in orientation
described above is unlikely to change.
This article is based
on the presentation Itamar Marcus made to the
Institute for Counter-Terrorism conference on "Terrorism's
Global Impact."
PA unity government -
ploy for renewed funding
by Itamar Marcus and Barbara Crook- Sept. 12, 2006
1-Hamas:
A- No recognition of Israel
B- Continued right to use terror
2-Fatah: PLO recognition of Israel applies to Hamas
PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and
Hamas PM Ismail Haniyeh announced an agreement last night to
form a Palestinian unity government. However, the paradox of
this arrangement is already clear. The motivation to form this
government was to create a framework for the resumption of Western
funding. But the new government does not meet the minimal conditions
that the funding countries have demanded: Hamas' recognition
of Israel and the cessation of terror.
Note that the opening sentence in the article
announcing the agreement in the official PA daily includes the
expression of hope for renewed funding. Renewed funding is seen
not as a secondary benefit of the unity government, but as the
driving force behind the agreement.
The Fatah seems to be hoping that Hamas statements
that they do not recognize Israel and reserve the right to use
terror will be ignored by the West. The Fatah argues that all
Palestinian Authority governments, including the new coalition,
are “the result of the PLO” and therefore bound
by agreements the Palestine Liberation Organization has made
in the past.
According to Fatah, the fact that past PLO
agreements have professed to accept Western conditions means
that Hamas has, in effect, accepted these conditions as well.
It is yet to be seen how the funding countries
will respond.
The following are the Hamas and Fatah
reactions from today's PA press:
HAMAS:
"Yesterday, President Mahmoud Abbas and
Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh reached an agreement to form a
national unity government, which raises hope among the citizens
for the ending of the international isolation and resumption
of aid...
Haniyeh said that the guidelines of any future
political program will not hurt the legitimacy of the resistance
[PA term for terror] while the Hamas movement said that it would
not recognize Israel and that it had the right to continue the
armed struggle against the Jewish state. This issue raises doubts
whether the national unity government will fulfill the demands
of the West for lifting the ban on aid to Palestinians…
Hamas spokesman, Sami Abu Zuhari, told the French news agency,
‘There will be no recognition of the state of Israel by
the movement. We want a Palestinian unity government based on
Palestinian criteria and not foreign criteria.’”
[Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, Page 1, September 12, 2006]
FATAH:
"Spokesman for the Fatah movement, Mahir
Miqdad...emphasized that the source of the authority for the
Palestinian undertaking is the Palestine Liberation Organization
... and that the government or any Palestinian parliament are
the result of the PLO and from the agreements that it [PLO]
had made."
[Al-Quds, September 12, 2006]
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