Palestinian Islamic Jihad
By: Nathaniel McDanel
Lyndsey Dennis
Aralya Phinnith
Introduction

“The war will continue until Israel ceases
to exist and the last Jew is eliminated from
the world. Israel is entirely evil and must
be wiped off the face of the earth”
History

Harakat al-Jihad al-Islami al-Filastini or
Palestinian Islamic Jihad was founded in
1979 by Fathi Shqaqui and other extremist
Palestinians in Egypt.

Shaqaqi was influenced to create PIJ
during the Islamic Revolution in Iran and
that he believed if he could united Arab
and Muslim world that it would create a
greater Islamic state of Palestine and bring
about the downfall of Israel.

The Egyptian government expelled PIJ to
Gaza after they learned about their
involvement with a radical who killed
President Anwar Sadat in 1981.

The first active cells of Islamic Jihad
surfaced in Lebanon where they
conducted terrorist attacks against Israel
and kidnapped westerners in Lebanon.

Islamic Jihad has strengthened in power
by forming alliances with other groups like
Hamas, Hezbollah and has links with AlQaeda.

One notable member of Palestinian
Islamic Jihad was Ramzi Yousef who
attacked the World Trade Center in 1993,
and today a lot members make up AlQaeda and are of Osama Bin Ladin’s inner
circle like Ayman al-Zawahri and
Morhammad Atef
Who & Why
Finances
Suicide Bombings
Who & Why
• PIJ
recruitment and operations
- Much more secretive than other Terrorists groups.
- Reoccupation of Israelis in many Palestinian urban
centers in first quarter of 2002.
PIJ now receives more volunteers.
• PIJ : Schools, Mosques, Social Services
for the poor.
- Do not invest in the religious full time training
of children.
- Ideological framework of PIJ : Fundamentally
Nationalistic and focused on the struggle vs. Israel.
United States Institute of Peace
Who & Why
• Reasons
why Individuals join PIJ
- To ensure Palestine’s safety.
- Constant attacks by Israeli artillery.
- Economic Strangulation.
- Constant harassment and humiliation.
• Israeli’s former image of Suicide Bombers.
- Young Muslim men.
- Poorly educated.
- Religiously zealous.
Blanche, E. (2003). Cult of the kamikaze. Military & Government Collection, 334
Who & Why
• Members
of the PIJ
- Do not come from impoverished families.
- Not necessarily motivated by desperation or
religious fervour.
- Affluent and well educated; at least at the general
public level.
-Broad range of of social and professional
background.
- Only religiously modest before, but after…
•
Not crazed or disgruntled loners! ! !
Blanche, E. (2003). Cult of the kamikaze. Military & Government Collection, 334
Who & Why
• Radical
Leaders - *Indoctrination Methods*
“I think these groups are able to manipulate innate
emotions… in much the same way that the fast food
and porn industries manipulate innate desires…
[This manipulation] creates a sincere commitment
equal to the one a mother feels when she sacrifices
herself for her child.”
- Atran
Blanche, E. (2003). Cult of the kamikaze. Military & Government Collection, 334
Finances
• Economic
Jihad
-Concept: religious duty; if not by physically
fighting Islam’s enemies then by funding.
- Quranic verse in Surah 9 Verse 41:
“Fight with your possessions and your souls in
the way of Allah.”
- Several Islamist Spiritual leaders emphasizes
‘Economic Jihad’ as a religious duty for all
Muslims.
Levitt, M. (2005). Countering the theological case for ‘economic jihad’ is vital. The Washington Institute
For Near East Policy. Retrieved from: http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/opedsPDFs/42a8bf8bbf6a6.pdf
Finances
• Economic
Jihad in America
- U.S. based PIJ members and supporters:
- Fundraising
- Propaganda
- Proselytizing activities
Mueller, R. S. (2005). Congressional Testimony. Federal Bureau of Investigations. Retreived from:
http://www.fbi.gov/congress/congress05/mueller021605.htm
Finances
• Economic
Jihad
- PIJ activist Fawaz Damra called on supporters
in U.S. to support Economic Jihad.
- Served as an officer of the Afghan Services
Bureau – a non profit organization in Brooklyn.
- Contributed in fundraising for the PIJ.
- Cleveland, Ohio 1991:
conducted an auction for a medal in honor of
a PIJ martyr, Nidal Zalloum.
Levitt, M. (2005). Countering the theological case for ‘economic jihad’ is vital. The Washington Institute
For Near East Policy. Retrieved from: http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/opedsPDFs/42a8bf8bbf6a6.pdf
Finances
• Charitable
front organizations
- Disguised as humanitarian organizations/support.
- Donors are also well aware of ‘Economic Jihad.’
- Donors feel that are fulfilling a religious obligation.
Levitt, M. (2005). Countering the theological case for ‘economic jihad’ is vital. The Washington Institute
For Near East Policy. Retrieved from: http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/opedsPDFs/42a8bf8bbf6a6.pdf
Finances
• Iran
- Frequently meets with other Terrorists groups.
- Actively encourages destruction of peace processes.
- Provides money : 1million – 100million.
- Supplies arms, material support, training, and
operational guidance.
Christopher, 1996. Fighting terrorism: challenges for peacemakers. United States Coast Guard.
Retrieved from : http://www.uscg.mil/hq/gm/nmc/security/peace.htm
National Commision of Terrorism. Countering the changing threat of international terrorism. United States
Coast Guard. Retrieved from :
http://www.uscg.mil/legal/homeland%5Flegislation/text/countering%5Fthe%5Fchanging%5Fthreat%5Fof%5Finternational%
5Fterrorism.html
Finances
• Iran
- Most active state supporter.
- Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps
- Ministry of Intelligence and Security
- Planning and execution of Terrorists acts.
- provide funding, training, weapons, logistical
resources, and guidance.
National Commision of Terrorism. Countering the changing threat of international terrorism. United States
Coast Guard. Retrieved from :
http://www.uscg.mil/legal/homeland%5Flegislation/text/countering%5Fthe%5Fchanging%5Fthreat%5Fof%5Finternational
%5Fterrorism.html
Finances
• Al-Qaeda
and Osama Bin Laden
- 1998 Ahmed al-Naggar.
“The funding of the organisation came [primarily]
through financial support from the Saudi
Osama Bin Laden.”
- Funded by Bin Laden’s personal fortune since early 90’s.
- Also now considered part of Al-Qaeda’s network.
Anoymous. (2001). Countering terrorism. Times-Newspapers. Retrieved from :
http://www.infowars.com/saved%20pages/Prior_Knowledge/10_years_cell.htm
Suicide Bombings
• Pioneered
in early 80’s
- Lebanon’s Shi’ite Muslim extremist group Hizballah
- inspired by Iran’s use of human minesweepers.
- 1994: PIJ along with other terrorists groups.
• Suicide
bombings were controversial
- 1996: 20% supported practice.
- Today: 70% support suicide bombings.
- Swamped with volunteers.
Van Biema, D., Hamad, J., Moaveni, A., Radwan, A., Rees, M. (2001). Why the bombers keep coming.
Military & Government Collection, 158.
Suicide Bombings
• Jenin:
Suicide bombing capital of the West Bank
- Long history of militancy.
- Israeli-Palestinian war
- Izzadin Al Kassem
- Refugee camps as focal point of Palestinian resistance.
- PIJ are extremely popular in these areas.
- More than a dozen suicide bombers.
Hammer, J., Ephron, D. (2002). A war’s human toll. Newsweek, 139
Suicide Bombings
• PIJ
- most active in suicide bombings
- Influence has spread:
Kurdistan, Pakistan, Kashmir, Chechnya, China,
Turkey, and across Southeast Asia.
• Suicide
bombings are very efficient
- $ 1,000 .
- Easily transported
- Much more difficult to spot
“ A suicide bomber is a two-legged missile. Once
it’s launched, it’s very difficult to intercept.”
- Uzi Landau, Israeli Internal Security Minister
Van Biema, D., Hamad, J., Moaveni, A., Radwan, A., Rees, M. (2001). Why the bombers keep coming.
Military & Government Collection, 158.
Purpose of the PIJ


Opposition to Palestinian authority policy and
the sentiments of the majority of the
Palestinian population
Concentrates entirely on armed revolt
Goals
1)
2)
Destruction of the State of Israel (source of
moral and spiritual corruption)
Liberation of Palestine & pan-Islamic revival
“Al-amaliyyah alistishhadiyyah”
“The death of a martyr for the sake of Allah”
What have they done?
1990’s- tried to sabotage the Oslo peace process.
 2003- Tried to end “cease fire” (hudna) achieved by Israel
& Palestine's
 May 19, 2003- Shopping mall
3 dead, 83 wounded
 October 4, 2003- Maxim Restaurant
21 dead, 60 wounded
The PIJ claimed responsibility through a televised video
cassette and threatened that there would be thousands
more.
February 25, 2005- suicide
bombing attack in Tel Aviv. 5
dead, 50 wounded

Recruits



PIJ has a student wing
Actively recruits women
in Northern West Bank
Universities, towns, and
villages.
Once a prospective
suicide bomber is found
the organization invests
considerable effort in
convincing women that
this activity does not
contradict Islamic
principles nor “the daily
duties of Muslim women.
The suicide bomber responsible for the
attack in Tel Aviv.
Women Suicide Bombers


The shopping mall incident – 19 yr. old student Heiba
Daragmeh detonated an explosive devise that was
strapped to her body.
The Maxim restaurant – Hanadi Jaradat 29 yr. old
trainee lawyer. Her brother and cousin had been killed by
Israeli forces and she was not yet married.
“With the strength and
heroism of Allah, I decided
to become the sixth female
suicide bomber to turn her
body into shrapnel which
will penetrate the heard of
every Zionist settler in my
country…
(Al-Arabia TV, October 5,
2003)
Other helpers


16 yr. old Tamer Khuweir - apprehended by
Israeli security forces on March 9, 2004 as he
prepared to carry out a suicide attack. Tamer’s
brother claims he was brainwashed
Dr. Sami Al Arian- Computer engineering
professor at the University of Southern Florida.
Arrested on February 20, 2003 and indicted with
50 “terrorism” related charges. He is the North
American head of the PIJ.
Plans for the Future




Have not yet directly targeted U.S.
interests (although U.S. citizens have
died in attacks), continue to direct
attacks against Israeli interests.
Remains a relatively small
movement
According to opinion polls, only 4-5%
of Palestinian population supports
PIJ because it lacks the institutional
networks like those built by Hamas.
Enables PIJ to concentrate on
ideological goals and disregard
politics!
References
www.intelligence.org (February 2005)
 http://enwikipedia.org
 http://library.nps.navy.mil (April 2005)
 http://www.ict.org.il
 www.military.com

References
Anonymous. (2001). Countering terrorism. Times-Newspapers. Retrieved from:
http://www.infowars.com/saved%20pages/Prior_Knowledge/10_years_cell.htm
Blanche, E. (2003). Cult of the kamikaze. Military & Government Collection, 334.
Christopher. (1996). Fighting terrorism: challenges for peacemakers. United States
Coast Guard. Retrieved from: http://www.uscg.mil/hq/gm/nmc/security/peace.htm
Hammer, J. Ephron, D. (2002). A war’s human toll. Newsweek, 139.
Levitt, M. (2005). Countering the theological case for ‘economic jihad’ is vital. The
Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Retrieved from:
http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/opedsPDFs/42a8bf8bbf6a6.pdf
Mueller, R. S. (2005). Congressional Testimony. Federal Bureau of Investigations.
Retrieved from: http://www.fbi.gov/congress05/mueller021605.htm
National Commission of Terrorism. Countering the changing threat of international
terrorism. United States Coast Guard. Retrieved from:
http://www.uscg.mil/legal/homeland%5Flegislation/text/countering%5Fthe%5Fchang
ing%5Fthreat%5Fof%5Finternational%5Fterrorism.html
Oreck, A. (2005). Palestinian islamic jihad. Jewish Virtual Library. Retrieved from:
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Terrorism/PIJ.html
References
United States Institute of Peace. (2002). Islamic extremist: how do they mobilize
support. Retrieved from: http://www.usip.org/pubs/specialreports/sr89.html
Van Biema, D., Hamad, J., Moaveni, A., Radwan, A. & Rees, M. (2001). Why the
bombers keep coming. Military & Government Collection, 158.
Weisberg, A. (2003). Islamic jihad. FrontPage Magazine. Retrieved from:
http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/Readarticle.asp?ID=7614
The End