 Interview
with
Muslims "Hizboul’lah Moukatilloun" and
"Al Tawheed-Ansar Al Arab Fighters"
By Ruth Sielberg and Peggy North in Iraq and Lebanon
.
THE NEW TARGETS OF AL QAEDA IN THE UNITED STATES AND ABROAD: IBM,
COCA COLA, PFIZER MICROSOFT, McDONALDS and Much More...
TERRORISTS SEE THE CIA AS A JOKE!
ABOU HUSSEIN: “THE ISRAELI INTELLIGENCE IS ONE MILLION TIME BETTER
AND MORE EFFECTIVE THAN THE CIA AND AMERICAN SPIES!”
 LEBANON
AND IRAQ- They explained to us what they want, how they will fight
America and Israel, and how they will destroy Zionism and American
Imperialism! They admitted that they fear Mosad and the Israeli
agents who infiltrated many Arab and Muslim countries and particularly
Turkey, Syria and Lebanon. They mock the CIA and their “powerless and
idiot” agents in the Near East. It was neither safe nor easy to
interview Ahmad A., Mahmoud S. and Abou Hussein who are known to their
compatriots as “honorable” men and “freedom fighters” and most
certainly portrayed by westerners as bloody killers and terrorists.
Ahmad
belongs to "Ansar Al'Arab". Previously, he was a militia fighter from
"Al Mourabitoun" and "Al Hizboul' Nasiri " (Lebanese Muslim party of
the followers of Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt, created in early 70s by
Najah Wakeem, a Christian Orthodox lawyer who defeated the very
powerful Christian Orthodox Representative Nasim Majdalani of the
District of “Mazraa” Beirut, in the 1970 Lebanon’s parliament
elections. The half-dormant “Nasiri” party is based in the regions of
Mazraa, Mousaytbeh, Corniche Al-Mazraa, Al Barbir and Bastah in
Lebanon. Ahmad maintains two residences in Lebanon and Syria. He
studied at "Al Makased" high school located near “Al Barbir Hospital”
in Beirut. He earned a law degree from "Ain Shams" University in
Egypt. He taught briefly at an Arab school "Al Ma'had Al Arabi" (Arab
Lyceum) in Bastah, Beirut. Also, he is a published author and a poet.
He assured us that he has never killed an American or a Jew, but he
will not hesitate a second to cut an American's throat and blow up the
head of George Bush in pieces if he could.
 Mahmoud
is an active member of "Al Tawheed", referred to in the United States
as a very dangerous terrorist organization; a sub-organization of Al
Qaeda. Previously, Mahmoud was a member of "Al Ikwan Al Mouslimin"
(The Muslim Brothers or The Muslim Brotherhood) based in Cairo, Egypt.
Mahmoud told us that "AL MOUKHABARAT (Police or Secret Service) of the
late Anwar Al Sadat, former president of Egypt tortured him with
electrical wires and gadgets. He currently lives in Iraq. He holds an
engineering degree from the American University in Cairo. Previously,
he worked as a motion pictures set designer for famous Egyptian stars
like Ahmad Ramzi, Choukri Sarhan, Hind Salameh and Berlinti Abdel
Hamid. "I never killed an American before, but I will kill Bush "Ibn
Al Kalb" (Son of a dog) in a second.
Abou Hussein
is a "strategic operator" from "Hizboul 'lah" (The Party of Allah: The
Party Of God). Previously, he rendered his services to the Syrian Al
Baa'th party in 1976; a Shiite-Alaouit party which was under the
control of the late Hafez Al Asaad of Syria, the father of the current
president of Syria. He served the Iraqi Al Baa’th party in 1978 which
was under the direct control of Saddam Hussein. He frequently meets
with "brothers" and very active anti-Israel “suicide missionaries” in
Iran, Syria and United Arab Emirates. He holds a degree in political
sciences from the "Arab University" of Beirut, located in a
predominant Muslim area, nearby the Palestinian camp of Sabra. His two
brothers were murdered by Bashir Al Jemayel’s Christian militia "Al
Kataeb" during their assault on the Palestinian camps of "Sabra" and
“Tal Zaatar”. He admits that he killed many Jews who lived in “Wadi
Abou Jmil” in Beirut and Christian Lebanese during 1958 civil
war/revolt against Lebanon’s former Christian President Camille
Chamoun, and during the 15 year civil war in Lebanon which started in
1975 in the region of “Ain El Remanneh” bordering the district of
“Shiah” in Beirut. He too, denied having killed Americans but "Now I
am fed up with Bush, our honor has been tarnished by Bush and I am
willing to do anything and everything in my powers to kill every Jew
and American I see anywhere, any time." Abou Hussein told us.
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In brief, the trio's motto and
objectives are to destroy Zionism, free Palestine from all Jews, and
keep America out of the Middle and Near East. Strangely enough, those
three men are religious and devoted fathers. One of them is already a
grandfather. They believe in the last judgment, in “Jannah and Al Nar”
(Paradise and hell), in traditional Islamic family values, in Mohammad
as the only "Rassoul" (Messenger of God). They revere Mary as "Sittina
Maryam" (Meaning: Our Lady Mary) because she was highly respected and
honored in Al Quran in a lengthy chapter called "SOURAT MARYAM". They
believe that Jesus is not the son of God but "Min Rouh' Allah",
meaning from the breath or soul of God. They call Jesus "Issa" as
epistemologically derived from “Yashou”. They believe in Moses and the
prophets of Israel because the Prophet Mohammad said so in his “Al
Hadith Al Sharif”, meaning the speeches and dialogues of Mohammad with
his followers and Ulemas. In fact, the Quran recognized Jews and
Christians as “Min Ahl Al Kitab”, meaning “The People of the Books, or
the “People of the Sacred Book.”
Abou Hussein,
Mahmood and Ahmad love American hamburger, Coca Cola, Levi’s blue
jeans, Madonna, Britney Spears, the movies of Humphrey Bogart, Robert
Taylor, John Wayne, Elizabeth Taylor, Burt Lancaster and Jack Palance.
The greatest Mohammad Ali is their favorite hero because he used to
hit his foes and win with "KABDAT AL ISLAM" meaning: The champion who
hits and wins with the "The fist of Islam" And yes, if they have the
opportunity to live and work in Israel or the United States, they will
do it in a heart beat!
MOST
VISIBLE LEADERS:
Photos from L to R:
#1. Sheik Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, Hizboul’ lah political leader. #2.
Sheik Kassem Naim, Nasrallah's deputy as political leader of Lebanese
Hizbou’ lah. #3. Sheik Mohammad Hussein Fedlallah, Hizboul’ lah
religious leader.
LANDING IN
BEIRUT
 Photo:
A Muslim day time butcher and night-volunteer freedom fighter at Sabra
(Remnant of Fateh Palestinian Camp) in the Muslim section of Beirut.
We landed in Beirut International Airport, known also as “Khalde”
airport. Previous arrangements were made to receive us at the airport
and to drive us to our hotel located in the area of “Al Manarah”
facing the beautiful Mediterranean sea. Two gentlemen impeccably
dressed were waiting for us, as well as a high ranking security
officer from the "Al Amn Al Am "(National Security Directorate). One
of the gentlemen reassured us that shortly we will be meeting with
Mahmood and his friends. The meeting was scheduled for early evening
at a cafe located in the region of “Ras Beirut” near “Sakyet Al
Janzeer”, not far away for our hotel. Three hours later, the same two
gentlemen who met us at the airport picked us up in a Mercedes sedan
from our hotel and drove us directly to a designated cafe which served
Lebanese food, American hamburger, French fries and believe it or not
American milk shake and New York’s style bagels. We did not know what
to expect, who to expect to see and who will be attending our
interview. But so far so good. Everything appeared to be smooth and
safe. The side-walk cafe was packed. One could not ignore the elegance
of the Lebanese women who were drinking, chatting, making jokes and
laughing loudly. Ismael, one of our escorts directed us to a table
where evidently Mahmood and his friends were seated. A 6 foot tall
man, elegantly dressed, wearing a Christian Dior's tie and expensive
crocodile shoes stood up, smiled to us, warmly welcomed us and greeted
us in English and Arabic: "Welcome, welcome, Ya Ahlan Wa Sahlan",
meaning in Arabic: You are most welcome. And this elegantly dressed up
man was nobody else than Mahmood himself. He introduced us to his
friends who were equally well-dressed and kept on repeating "Welcome
to Beirut, welcome to Beirut." We did feel some warmth and sincerity
in the way he received us and more particularly in the manner he
displayed civility and courteous demeanor toward two western ladies.
Yet, we remained very cautious and alert all the time.Without asking
us what we wish to order, to drink or to eat, Mahmood took the liberty
to order a fleet of dishes of all sizes and shapes of Lebanese
favorite national specialties and appetizers, such as “Warak Bi Arich”
(Grape leaves), “Lisanat” (Lamb tongues), “Baba Ghanouj” (Eggplant
mousse), “Mejaddara Msafayeh” (Lentil mousse or salad), etc. It was a
feast to the eyes. We started to count how many dishes were brought
up, and if we were not mistaken, no less than 40 dishes were already
on the table. It was really something unique. However, no hard alcohol
was served. We ordered two bottles of Perrier. Mahmood and his
friends, to our great astonishment, ordered Amstel beer. We thought
that Muslims do not drink in public, little did we know. And they
drank like a fish! Khaled one of the gentlemen sitting at our table
assured us that "Bon Viveurs Muslims drink as much as Jews and
Christians do." Mahmood took the initiative to tell us that he is
ready for the interview. And the interview began, verbatim and
unedited; meaning printed as is, without editing or correcting
grammatical or linguistic errors.
WHAT DO THE
TERRORISTS THINK OF THE CIA?
MAHMOUD: “THE CIA IS DEAD IN THE MIDDLE EAST. THE CIA IS A
JOKE!”
AHMAD: “THE ISRAELI INTELLIGENCE IS BETTER THAN THE CIA.”
Q:
What do
you think of the CIA? Do you fear the CIA? Mahmood: "Yahni"
(Meaning: I mean), the CIA today is nothing, very weak. The CIA was
strong in the Middle East some 25 years ago. Around 1975, the CIA was
finished in Lebanon, in Syria, in Iraq and in many Arab countries.
Before 1975, they were probably everywhere. But after 1975, the CIA
became "nothing". But, but, I know they are still in Egypt, Cyprus,
Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Many of them are now in Iraq,
Saudi Arabia, a sizable number in Pakistan, India and Afghanistan.
Actually, we know who they are and what they are doing. And we know
what we should do with them. Q: What do you mean?
Mahmood: I mean, we know how to get them "like birds". Q:
What do you mean like birds? Mahmood: I mean it is easy to
shoot them like we shoot small birds. Q: Do you fear the
CIA? Ahmad: I fear only Allah. The CIA is a joke. The
Israelis are better than the CIA. Q: What do you mean by a
joke? Ahmad: For almost 20 years, the CIA tried to recruit
Arab people to spy on the Palestinians, Abou Ammar (Nick name of
Yasser Arafat), Egyptian government, the Saudi Royal family, Syria,
Lebanon and Israel itself. Even, they sent spies to Dubai, Abu Dhabi
and Sharjah in the Arab Gulf. We know the CIA have spies in Oman,
Jordan and Turkey. We know also that the CIA is very active in
Istanbul, Saudi Arabia, India, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq. But,
they could not penetrate Lebanon, Syria and Gaza. Before 1958, the CIA
did well. After 1958, the CIA lost many agents in the Middle East,
including Cyprus, Malta and Greece. The Americans thought that they
can bribe Arab people. They were wrong. Of course, America has
collaborators and traitors from several Arab countries. But those
traitors have no access to vital information. They are stooges. We
know who they are. We have a complete list of their names. They are
either members of former Arab regimes, overthrown governments, boring
professors at American universities, journalists at Al Hourra
television station, this is another Bush’s administration joke,
or advisors at the Heritage Foundation, Council of Foreign Affairs,
and contributors to television stations in America, such as Fox News.
And they know nothing. So you see, the CIA when it failed to penetrate
our groups, the CIA had no choice but to listen to “ARAB TRAITORS AND
OUTSIDERS” who live in America. So, what the CIA got from them?
Nothing! Wrong information, false reports and false intelligence. You
see, those Arabs who became American citizens did not return to their
countries for many many years. So, realistically, they know nothing
about our operations. They are outsiders and we do not trust them. So
we do not share information with them. The Israelis know that.
But the Americans don’t, because they are ignorant and arrogant. Q:
And how about the Israeli intelligence? Ahmad: They are much
better. At least, they know what they are doing. They know what to
do. Q: Do what? Why the Israelis are better than the
Americans? Mahmood: Mossad operates quite differently
from the CIA. They are more effective despite their relatively limited
resources and means. I will give you some examples:
ARABS AND MUSLIM TERRORISTS’ ANALOGY BETWEEN MOSSAD
AND THE CIA.
1-The
Israelis are here. They have been here for centuries. They know the
lands. The Americans just arrived with their Playboy Magazine, cheap
deodorants, tasteless coffee, funny haircut and smelly fried
chickens. The Americans don’t know the Arab countries and their
lands.
2- The Israelis
are everywhere. They blend with the local Arab communities. Anyway,
many of them are Israeli Arab or Arab Jews. The Americans
concentrate themselves and group their men in particular and
restricted areas, usually in exclusively reserved “sections” or
habitats for Americans. So, it is very easy to spot them, target
them and hit them. The Israelis are more careful and “discreet”.
They know how to hide, where to hide and how to avoid being spotted
and located (sometimes). The Americans don’t.
3-The Israelis
lived with us for so many years, so they know how we think, what we
eat, what we like and dislike, how we do business, where are our
shops, who teaches at our schools, the names of our streets, cafes
and where we meet and socialize. The Americans don’t.
4-The Israelis
speak Arabic like Arabs. Some of them have become experts in various
Arab dialects and tribal accents. The American’s don’t.
5-The Israelis
know the Middle East, they just live here. They know their way
around. They know what to look for. They are extremely familiar with
our villages, cities, roads, hills, mountains, schools, bazaars,
souks (Popular markets), trade centers, shops and stores,
infra-structure and sub-structure of our societies, our families
traditions, religion, worship and prayers rituals and protocol. The
Americans don’t.
6-The Israelis
look like us, or maybe I should say, we do look like them. Many of
them were Arab Jews from Tunisia, Morocco, Syria, Egypt, Lebanon,
Iraq, even Ethiopia and Sudan. The Americans look very different
from the Arabs. You know that already. Many Muslims and Arab people,
men and women were arrested and detained in America because they
looked like Arabs; they have become the usual suspects because they
look like Middle Easterners.
7-The Israelis are
very careful and very cautious. They don’t trust the Americans, the
CIA or anybody else. And most certainly, they do not trust Bush, The
White House, The Pentagon and this carnival of one million
intelligence agencies in the United States. The Americans heavily
rely on information provided by outsiders, free-lance spies and what
other foreign embassies tell them. The Israelis don’t.
8-The Israelis do
their own homework. They check everything and spy on everybody. They
travel all over the world and disguise themselves very well. And
because they speak so many foreign languages, they easily blend with
many different peoples from many different countries in the world.
People who work for the Israeli intelligence speak French, English,
Arabic, Italian, Russian, Spanish, German, so many languages. And
when they are in Europe, in America, in Arab countries and Spanish
countries, they look exactly like Europeans, Americans, Arabs,
French and Spanish people. Americans don’t. I can spot an American
spy at 10 kilometers but not an Israeli spy! Impossible! Very few
Americans speak foreign languages. And if they do, they have an
awful and uncultivated thick American accent. Israelis don’t.
9-Mossad and
Israeli spies are more intelligent than the American spies and CIA
people. Israelis can think like an Arab, an Egyptian, a Palestinian,
an Omani, a Lebanese. Americans don’t. Americans are limited in the
way they think, see and analyze things. They see the world from a
very close American point of view.
10-Israelis in
general and Israeli spies in particular are international and
universal in the way they adapt to new environments. Americans
remain Americans wherever they go. It so easy to recognize them. We
used to look at many tourists and watch Europeans and non-Europeans
sitting inside and outside French and German cafes, trying to figure
out who is an American and who is not. Who is a Frenchman and who is
not. Who is a Muslim and who is not. It was very difficult to do so.
But, as soon as an American walks into a café, we recognize him on
the spot. Try to spot an Israeli agent in an European café. It is
almost impossible .
11-The Americans
brag a lot about their military operations, the successes of their
spies rings and “spectacular” accomplishments. The Israelis don’t.
12-The American
intelligence agencies constantly recruit (When they can) or at least
try to recruit foreigners who are not always reliable and
knowledgeable of facts and events. The Israelis don’t.
13-The
American
intelligence network(s) are disorganized and chaotic. There are so
many spying agencies, counter-espionage agencies, national
securities agencies, national security groups and so on. Thank God,
they do not coordinate things and share information. And as you know
very well, they hate and distrust each other. The Israelis don’t.
14-The Americans
in general are very materialistic and vain. Those Americans who
join the CIA or the FBI, even the police in America are not always
motivated by a sense or feeling of patriotism. Many of them do it
because they are hungry for power. They love to flash their badges
and intimidate people. And if they get a better job offer, they quit
in a heart beat. They go where the buck is. This is why, we see so
many FORMER CIA and FBI agents every single night on the American
television, as analysts, anti-terrorism experts, consultants and
advisors. They quit their agencies to create their own private
business. Such thing rarely happened in Israel, except for a few
Israeli airlines safety and security experts who came to America to
work as consultants. Israelis who join Israel’s secret service are
not motivated by financial gain or hunger for power. They do it
because they want to serve, just like us, the Arab freedom fighters.
WHAT THE ARABS REALLY WANT FROM THE UNITED STATES AND PRESIDENT BUSH?
THE INTERVIEW
Photo: A Muslim day time butcher and night-volunteer freedom fighter
at Sabra (Remnant of Fateh Palestinian Camp) in the Muslim section of
Beirut.
Peggy:
What it would take to make peace between the Fundamentalist Muslims
and the United States?
Mahmood:
First, let me tell you something. There is no such thing as
Fundamentalist Muslims. This is a fabrication by Bush and the
Americans. Either you are Muslim or you are not. I am a Muslim and I
don't understand what do you mean by Fundamentalist Muslims. If you
mean they are terrorists, you will be making a big mistake. We are
freedom fighters and we are fighting for our countries. I read a lot
about early American wars and battles against the Indians. I mean
the American Indian tribes, about David Crocket and the Alamo. Would
you call the Americans who were with David Crocket fighting the
Mexicans, would you call them Fundamentalists and terrorists because
they were defending their lands? No! Would you call them
Fundamentalist Christians? No! I know. We, the Arabs, the Muslims we
are doing the same thing. We are defending our lands against Israel
and America who wants to change our way of live, our political system
and create a more powerful Israeli state in the Middle East. We do not
hate the American people. We only hate Bush and the first Bush too.
 Photo:
A 4 year Muslim child (Arab boy of a Pakistani ethnic background)
with a revolver in a Muslim stronghold training center, where Islamic
ideologies, terrorism tactics and anti-Israel doctrines are taught and
where militia training is provided 7 days a week.
Madam Peggy. Look, what we want is very simple...please madam Peggy
and you too madam (talking to Ruth), please eat something, this is
delicious...you will not find this in America... OKKAY (with a strong
accent), we will make peace with America and Bush or any American
president, if America will do this:
Number one
(Counting on his fingers): We want America out of our lands. Out of
Iraq, out of Bahrain, out of Kuwait and out of Saudi Arabia. We will
stay friends with the Americans, we will do business with the
Americans, we will do import and export and trade with the Americans
but, the American forces must leave immediately. Don't misunderstand
me, I did not say civilian Americans. Civilian Americans are welcome
to stay and work here, as long as they are not spies and working for
the CIA. You understand? We have no problem with the American people.
We have problems with Bush people.
Number two:
America must stop helping Israel. I mean, America should cease to
interfere in the Palestinian affairs. Palestinians have the right to a
homeland.
MUSLIM FANATICS WOULD NOT HESITATE TO DROP DIRTY BOMBS
ON WASHINGTON, NEW YORK AND CALIFORNIA. THEY ALREADY HAVE THEM IN THE
UNITED STATES, CLAIM FUNDAMENTALISTS.
Ahmad
(Interrupting): Yes,
yes, of course. You see, America is interfering in our lives. Why
America is siding with the Israelis? Because Jews are powerful in
America. Even, the diplomats, the officials and the advisors, America
sent to Iraq to temporarily govern Iraq were Jews. And listen to this,
it is getting worse. The people who were entrusted by America to write
the "Dastour" (Constitution) of Iraq were Jews. Many American
ministers of Defense were Jews. Twelve Jewish companies got billion of
Dollar contracts to rebuild Iraq! Abou Hussein
(Interrupting): All our problems come from the United States. America
interferes in Palestine. America interferes in Iraq. America now is
interfering in Syria, Libya, Korea and Iran. And how about
Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sudan? Americans are everywhere. They want to
rule the world. I will tell you something. If the United States will
continue to do this, the only way to stop it is to "throw" atomic
bombs on Washington, New York, California and big American cities. Ruth:
Do you mean that? Are you telling me that Arabs or Muslims have
nuclear weapons? An atomic bomb? Ahmad: Of course, we have
nuclear weapons and many atomic bombs. Peggy: Who has atomic
bombs? Bin Laden? Where are those atomic bombs? Ahmad: You
will be amazed if I tell you. Ruth: Tell us. Frankly, I do not
believe you! Ahmad: Okkay! This is what you think! They are
not very big atomic bombs but strong enough to kill millions and
millions of Americans and Jews. We have engineers and scientists from
Pakistan, Malaysia, Korea and Indonesia. Also we have very bright
students who graduated from American universities in America and
abroad. They know how to make atomic bombs. Many of them are already
in America. As a last resource, we will "detonate" the bombs. Peggy:
The Arabs have atomic bombs in the United States?! Where? Abou
Hussein: Do you think we are going to tell you? Do you think I am
going to tell you. What do you think I am a donkey? Ruth: Who
made those bombs? Abou Hussein: They were made in Pakistan,
Korea and Indonesia. Other bombs were made in Iran. Peggy: So,
Iran has a nuclear weapons program? Ahmad: Of course. Ruth:
Since when? Abou Hussein: Since 1992. Peggy: How can
you be so sure? Saddam Hussein claimed to have nuclear weapons and
weapons of mass destruction, and yet, no weapons or chemical arsenals
were ever found in Iraq. Iranians could claim the same thing?
AL QAEDA OPERATES IN MORE THAN FIFTY
COUNTRIES, INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES. MORE ATTACKS ON THE UNITED
STATE ARE INEVITABLE. THEY HAVE BEEN ALREADY SCHEDULED!!
Ahmad (Laughing):
Americans are so stupid. Of course Saddam Hussein had nuclear and
biological weapons. We moved them to “Baalbeck”, “Saida”,
“Trablous” (Tripoli), “Bekaa”, to Syria and Iran. Many trucks from
the Syrian, Iraqis and Iranian armies moved them 5 months before the
Americans came to Iraq. We also have many gas bombs in New York,
Florida and Michigan. Ruth: Where is the central
headquarters of Al Qaeda? Ahmad: Al Qaeda is no longer
"everything". Now, there are many Al Qaeda groups everywhere. Al
Qaeda is a concept, an ideology. Do you understand? It is a
philosophy. Faith! You kill one member from Al Qaeda, the next day
we will have 10 more new members. You cannot kill Al Qaeda. Al Qaeda
is big, is everywhere, in Saudi Arabia, in Malaysia, in Lebanon, in
Syria, in Pakistan, in Afghanistan, in Iraq, in Egypt, in Sudan, in
France, in England, in Spain, in Greece, in America, in Bangladesh,
in the Gulf (United Arab Emirates), do you want me to continue
THE ORIGINAL CHOSEN TARGETS DID NOT
INCLUDE THE WORLD TRADE CENTER!?
Peggy:
Who planned the attack on the World Trade Center in New York? Was it
Al Qaeda? Bin Laden himself? Abou Hussein: More than 3
organizations worked on the attack. Al Qaeda had the money to finance
the mission. But, the "Shabab" (Men power) came from everywhere, Saudi
Arabia, Lebanon, Egypt, Morocco, Yemen, Holland, Spain, England and
from everywhere. They were chosen from our best training camps in the
Middle East, Europe and America. Ruth: You have training camps
in the United States? Ahmad: Of course, we have. And what you
have seen is nothing. Wait and see. More attacks are coming. Peggy:
You are going to attack the United States? What targets do you have in
mind? When are you going to attack?
Ahmad:
We don't know. Nobody knows. Only those who were selected for very
particular and specific missions would know about it. And, I am sure,
they will be briefed about the mission, only 24 hours before it
happens. Anyway, all instructions are usually sent to our men from
outside the United States. Peggy: Did you know about the
attack on the World Trade Center? Did you have any previous knowledge
of the attack? Ahmad: I did not. I don't think anybody knew.
Peggy: How about you, Mr. Abou Hussein? Did you know? Abou
Hussein: No, I did not know. No body knew up front, not even those
who attacked New York. It is true, the plan of attack was already
planned and scheduled in Amsterdam, Madrid and Germany but, full
details and instructions were not given to our people. They had to
wait for further guidelines and final instructions to be given to them
in New York and Miami. Ruth: So how and when they knew.
They must have known all the details and received prior instructions
to carry on and execute their mission? Don't you think they had to
prepare themselves, make arrangements, contact each other....Certainly
they needed enough time to highjack the airplanes, watch the airports,
rent cars, arrange transportations, etc.. They had to know about the
attack, the target,
the
time...They
had to get ready. They had to prepare
themselves?
THE ATTACKS ON THE UNITED STATES WERE
PLANNED IN HOLLAND AND GERMANY.
Peggy: Where were the hijackers at the time of the attack on
the World trade Center? Ahmad: They were instructed to wait in
New York. The instructions and orders came three days before the
attacks. Some of the brothers were still in London, somewhere in
Europe and outside New York. Yes, they needed time to travel to New
York. So, let's say 3 days. No more than that. Peggy: So, they
came from everywhere? Where did they meet first? Did they meet in New
York first, or in Europe. Abou Hussein: It does not matter
where and when they met each other, because they did not know what was
the whole plan. Besides, at the very beginning, each person operated
independently. This is how usually we operate. I think only one person
knew about everything because he had to take care of the logistics and
expenses. Ruth: Who was this person? Abou Hussein: Only
Allah knows! You see, New York was not the first choice. Our men had
other ideas. We did not want to kill innocent people in New York. We
have surveyed the area and knew that many Muslims from our countries
work there. We did not want to cause them any harm. And... Peggy:
Wait a minute, please. So, if you have previously surveyed the area,
and knew how many Muslims work at the World Trade Center, this tells
me that you and your people knew in advance that the Word Trade
Center was THE target...Right? (Ahmad interrupted me and
spoke with anger in Arabic to Abou Hussein. I did not understand what
he did say to Abou Hussein and to the others). He paused for a few
seconds and said: Can we talk about something else, please? Ruth:
One more thing and we will change the subject. Mahmood:
OKKAY! Ruth: Did you know Attah? Mahmood: No, I
didn’t not. I am telling you the truth. "Waalah Al Azim", meaning in
Arabic: I swear by the name of God the majestic. Ruth: So what
was the first choice, I mean the places you targeted to attack in the
United States? Mahmood: The plan was to attack Bush first, The
White House, do you understand? Secondly, we wanted to attack the
American Pentagon. We did not want to kill civilians this time. We
wanted to teach Bush a lesson and show him that we can hit him any
time, even in his own home. But plans changed the last minutes. The
third target was the CIA headquarters. We knew that the Pentagon, and
especially, the third left wing was not well guarded. Many of our men
visited the mall at the Pentagon many many times and gathered
information about the Pentagon. Another target of a great importance
was the Capitol where members of the parliament meet.Ruth: I
see.
THE
NEXT POSSIBLE ATTACK TARGETS IN THE UNITED STATES.
Peggy:
Are you planning on attacking the United States, again? Abou
Hussein: Not me. Mahmood: Not me. But somebody else will. Ruth:
Do you know who is going to be? Somebody else, like who, for instance?
Al Qaeda, possibly? Mahmood: No, not Al Qaeda, other
people. They have to prove themselves. Peggy: Can't you tell
us? You don't have to tell us everything. Mahmood: It is
going to be everywhere. And this time our people will attack and kill
everybody, men, women, everybody. No distinction. Ruth: Any
particular targets in the United States. Ahmad: We have a long
list of targets. What Bush is going to do? Guard every meter in
America? I don't think so. He is busy now with his presidential
campaign. Mahmood:
We pick
up new targets as we go. Peggy: What do you mean? Ahmad:
We mean that targets change following new developments. Sometimes,
the people we want to hit move from here to there and from there to
here, like Bush, for example. Ruth: What do you mean?
Ahmad: I mean, listen, I will give you an example. We planned on
attacking Bush in The White House. Few hours before the attack, we
knew that Bush left Washington to Florida. We could not attack him in
Florida, because we did not have plans to do that. So, The White House
attack was no longer important. What do we want from The White House?
Stones? No. We wanted Bush.
THE WHITE HOUSE, THE CIA HEADQUARTERS, THE CAPITOL AND THE PENTAGON
WERE THE ORIGINAL AND MAJOR TERRORISTS’ ATTACK TARGETS
Peggy:
So what were the major targets? The ones you previously planned to
attack? Ahmad: We wanted to attack The White House, the CIA,
the Capitol, the Pentagon. At the last minute, The White House was
replaced by the World Trade Center in New York. The new instructions
came from our people in Germany who were coordinating things. Nothing
was decided upon in America. We were watching Bush movements all the
time. Ruth: Weren't you afraid the United Air Force could
intercept the planes you hijacked and shoot them down? Abou
Hussein: Not at all. We knew, it will take the Americans long time
to intercept the planes. The Americans are never prepared. They are so
arrogant. They think nothing is going to happen to them. Besides, we
have already calculated the time needed to attack each target. We knew
that The White House was heavily protected on the ground but not in
the air. The same thing for the Capitol and the Pentagon. Look, madam,
we can attack any place we want in America. It is a big country. Peggy:
Reports show you could not attack The White House for other reasons.
Officials in the United States claim that the pilots refuse to fly the
planes over The White House. Others claim that fights broke up on the
planes and the passengers took control of the planes. Correct? Ahmad:
Not correct at all. I am not going to tell you everything. If this is
what you think, you are wrong, so are the Americans. We had another
airplane ready to be taken from Washington. Actually, we had two
airplanes. The second one was waiting for us in New York. It is more
complicated than you think. In total, we had 5 airplanes part of the
plan and ready for us.
It was getting very late. We began to feel exhausted from our trip and
we had to call it for the night. Our next interview meeting was
scheduled for the next day at 10:00 AM at a café on Bliss Street, near
the AUB (American University of Beirut). Abou Hussein wanted us to
visit his family and have a lunch with his wife and children. And he
seemed genuinely sincere. He told us that his wife Aisha is a very
good woman and a very good cook. She would like very much to prepare
for us delicious Lebanese specialties. "She is an expert cook. You
have to eat from her hands. She makes the best Tabbouli, Hommos and
Kibbeh Nayeh (Sort of Steak Tartare: Raw meat blended with Bourghol)
in the country. It would be a great honor if you accept our
invitation. My home is your home." Said Abou Hussein. We told him,
certainly, we will come to his house, once the interview is finished.
We could not figure out, how such a warm and generous man, who is a
loving father and sincerely well-mannered gentleman could kill
innocent people and train youngsters on explosives, manufacturing
bombs, cutting throats and blowing up houses. So we had to call it for
the night. This time, Mahmoud himself drove us back to our hotel. With
extreme courteous mannerism, he opened the door of the car and gently
closed it behind us, always smiling and repeating "Ya Ahlan Fikoum",
meaning in Arabic: You are welcome. We arrived to the hotel. Mahmood
walked out of the car, went to open the car's door for us, bowed
gently and wished us good night. Then he decided, to accompany us
(inside the hotel) right to the elevators. Then, he told Peggy that he
wishes to introduce us to the concierge of the hotel before we take
the elevators. He escorted us to the desk of the concierge and
introduced us to him. A young gentleman who spoke fluently French,
English and Arabic. Mahmood told him that we were his friends and he
should take care of us. Mahmood left and we rushed to our rooms for we
were dead tired. We woke up the next morning at 9:00 AM, started to
get ready and soon after, rushed to the first floor to wait for
Mahmood in the lobby of the hotel. He arrived exactly at 10:00 AM as
he said he would. This time Mahmoud drove the car himself, no
bodyguards, no entourage, except for Abou Hussein who was sitting in
the backseat of the car. This time Abou Hussein was wearing a Levi's
blue jeans and very expensive "Red Shoe" label pair of shoes. Mahmoud
was impeccably dressed and his very strong French fragrance almost
suffocated us. He was wearing "Aramis" fragrance. A really bloody
strong fragrance. But we did not mind. We had one thing on our mind,
finish the interview and leave Beirut as soon as
possible.
The second interview included Q&A about Henry Kissinger, President
George Bush, possible forthcoming attacks on selected targets in the
United States, Arab-Russian intelligence collaboration, Al Chalabi's
affair, the CIA, important information about Bin Laden, briberies at
the United Nations, alleged falsified and fake statements by Vice
President Cheney, training camps in the United States, close
relationship between Pakistan's Mousharraf and Bin Laden, possible
Arab and Muslim spies and informers who infiltrated various
intelligence agencies in the United States!!! New coalition of Sunnis
and Shi'a militia forces in Basra, Mousol, Karkouk, Al Fallujah,
Baghdad and Al Najaf to kill Americans and kidnap American leading
figures involved in the Iraqi occupation, bank accounts opened under
the name of members of Tallas family, (Syria's Tallas Minister of
Defense) to facilitate the transfer of an astronomical amount of
money to finance terrorism operations worldwide, as well as alarming
news and threats by terrorists!
MORE KIDNAPPINGS AND KILLINGS EN ROUTE!!
Peggy:
Are you going to continue to kidnap Americans and behead them? Ahmad:
This is just the beginning. Now, our brothers are kidnapping "simple
and ordinary" Americans. Soon, we will begin to kidnap and kill really
important American businessmen and politicians. We will get every
American in Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Abou Hussein: And soon, we
will destroy all the weapons and airplanes factories in America. Ruth:
You will keep on killing innocent Americans in Saudi Arabia and
Iraq? Ahmad: Of course, every single American. We don't want
foreigners and westerners in our countries. And don't think that the
Saudis are on your side. And we will kill every Arab and every Muslim
who does business with Americans. Ruth: Are you planning on
kidnapping and killing innocent Americans working in other Arab or
Muslim countries, as well? Ahmad: Everywhere! We will kill them
wherever they are, if they are living or working in a Muslim country.
We will search for them in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Algeria, Indonesia,
Malaysia, Iraq, everywhere. Something else, don't think Al Qaeda is
the only group who is fighting the Americans. New groups are created
every day and everywhere. America cannot stop us. Bush is the worst
president in the whole world. Soon or later, we will get him, if not
now, next year, and if not next year, two years from now, we will kill
him even if it will take us 10 years! He is already dead! Wait and
see. Abou Hussein: We have the list of all American employees
who are working in Saudi Arabia and Iraq. We will get them one by one.
We know where they work, where they live, we know everything about
them. Peggy (talking to Abou Hussein): Are you a Sunni or a
Shiaa? Abou Hussein: I am a Muslim. Ahmad:
"The Americans will kill
Saddam first. Our sources tell us that Bush and the CIA will
assassinate him.
Abou Hussein:
"Bush has no
principles. Before, he wanted to kill Sader. Now, he promised him a
post in the Iraq new cabinet if he stops the fight."
Ahmad:
Look, madam, if the Saudis will try to hurt us or stop us, the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, boom, will disappear from the face of the
earth. We have very strong people and friends in the Saudi government
and in the royal family. Try to understand once for good, the whole
Arab world and every Muslim in the world is against America because
Bush destroyed Iraq. Ruth: Do you think Iraq was a democratic
country under Saddam Hussein regime. Ahmad: No body is saying
that. Try to understand. Bush made a big mistake. The Americans came
to Iraq and took Saddam. This is not my problem. Actually, I never
liked Saddam. He had many enemies in the Middle East. Moubarak hated
him. Al Assad hated him, Moamar Khazafi hated him. The Saudis hated
him. Everybody hated him. But Bush the son of a dog, should have
stopped bombing Iraq and killing the Iraqi people when the Americans
captured Saddam. Okkay, the Americans won the war, Okkay, why didn't
they leave Iraq after they captured Saddam? That was their big
mistake. Ruth: Do you want Saddam back? Ahmad: No, we
don't want him back. You can keep him. I care less about Saddam. We
don't want him to come back to Iraq and to become a president again.
This will never happen, because the Americans will kill him first. Our
sources tell us that Bush and the CIA will assassinate him. Ruth:
How do you know this? Ahmad: The same people who work for
the CIA and Bush work for us too. Many of our people are on the CIA
payroll.
THE
RUSSIAN INTELLIGENCE KNEW ABOUT THE ATTACK ON THE WORLD TRADE CENTER!
MANY ARAB LEADERS AND HEADS OF STATE ARE ON THE PAYROLL
OF THE UNITED STATES.
Peggy:
You must be joking? Ahmad: I am not joking. I know what I am
telling you. Do you think a Muslim will betray a Muslim? Never. Look
at Al Chalabi, he was on the payroll of the CIA. He was a friend to
the Iranians too. Husni Moubarak gets 1 billion Dollars every year
from the Americans. King Abdallah, the same story. Everybody is on the
payroll of the CIA. It does not mean that they are friends with the
CIA. They are using the CIA. The CIA is stupid. They are donkeys. They
tell lies to the CIA. And the CIA believes them. Ruth: And how
about the Arab leaders who are denouncing terrorism? Do you think that
they are on the CIA payroll too? Ahmad: I just explained to
you. They are laughing at the CIA. Ruth: It was my
understanding that Muslims were not totally united. The Shiaa suffered
a lot under the regime of Saddam Hussein. Abou Hussein: I
know, but when it comes to Muslims fighting against America and
Israel, we are all united in our Jihad against the Jews and the
Americans. You see, you don't know much about us. Peggy: Are
you getting any help from the Russians? Ahmad: We did in the
past but now we don't trust the Russians anymore. They betrayed us. Abou
Hussein: They reported us to the Americans. They gave them
information about what we did in New York. Peggy: Hold a
second, please. Are you telling us that the Russians knew about the
World Trade Center attack? Ahmad: Of course. Peggy: How
did they know? Mahmood: From their spies in Istanbul. And I
think the CIA dogs knew too but did not know all the details. They
knew it is going to be New York but they did not know what to do. The
stupid CIA caught innocent Muslims in America and tortured them. They
arrested and jailed good Muslim people in America who had nothing to
do with anything. Ruth: So, you are operating under the nose of
the Saudis! Abou
Hussein: Why do you say under the nose
of the Saudis? The Saudis know what we are doing. Do you think, the
Saudis like the Americans? "Miskin Aklik", meaning in Arabic: I have a
poor mind or a stupid mind. The Saudis are financing our operations.
They are good Muslims. Don't listen to what this or that Saudi Prince
or Saudi ambassador says in public or tells the media
Peggy:
Mr. Mahmood, I have one or two questions left for you. What do you
think of the CIA today? Mahmood: "Yahni" (Meaning: I mean), the
CIA today is nothing, very weak. The CIA was strong in the Middle East
some 25 years ago. Around 1975, the CIA was finished in Lebanon, in
Syria, in Iraq and in many Arab countries. Before 1975, they were
probably everywhere. But after 1975, the CIA became "nothing". But,
but, I know they are still in Egypt, Cyprus, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Iraq
and Saudi Arabia. Many of them are now in Iraq, Saudi Arabia, a
sizable number in Pakistan, India and Afghanistan. Actually, we know
who they are and what they are doing. And we know what we should do
with them. Peggy: What do you mean? Mahmood: I mean, we
know how to get them "like birds". Peggy: What do you mean
like birds?
Mahmood: I mean it is
easy to shoot them like we shoot small birds.
Ruth: I have the last question for you Mr. Mahmood. Are you going
to keep on terrorizing and killing innocent Americans in Iraq and
Saudi Arabia. Mahmood: Madam, please, do not insult my
intelligence. You know very well they are not innocent. Tell me why
they are here? I will tell you. They are here to spy on us, to kill
us, to take our country from us. They are not here to work. The whole
world goes to America to work. They don't need to come to Iraq or
Saudi Arabia to find jobs. There are plenty of jobs in America. So,
they are not innocent at all. Yes, madam, we will continue to kidnap
Americans until they leave our lands. And now we are going to do
something bigger. We are going to start to hit big American companies
in Saudi Arabia, like Coca Cola, McDonald, IBM, Microsoft, American
Standard, Pfizer... Please tell your American friends to leave our
countries.
We had to stop here and wrap up the article. Mahmood invited us to
have a diner with his friends. He said: "And now, madam Peggy, madam
Ruth, we are going to take you to a very nice place in "Bhamdoun". A
very very nice place in the mountain. We will have "Meza", meaning in
Arabic: A feast or a small banquet consisting of 50 or 60 different
kinds of Lebanese and Arab specialties and smoke "Argileh", meaning in
Arabic: Narghile, the water pipe smoking tobacco. We had to explain
to him that we had to finish the article and send it to the magazine,
if he wanted to see it in print. We apologized to him and thanked him
for his hospitality and cooperation. And that was the first and last
time we saw Mahmood, Ahmad and Abou Hussein. Before leaving, Mahmoud
and friends gave us few presents: Two boxes of "Melabbas" (Almond
candies) and two boxes of "Baklawa" and one "Masbaha" (A fancy jaded
rosary). It was quite a learning experience. A memorable encounter we
will never forget.
SOME
STATISTICS:
Fundamentalist
Muslim and Terrorists Organizations
According to Mahmood, there are more than 15 Muslim-Non Arab and
50 Muslim Arab independent, organizations, sub-organizations,
affiliate fronts and groups solely founded to fight the United
States, Israel, US allies and Jews worldwide. They are operating in
Indonesia, Malaysia, Lebanon, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iraq, Iran,
Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Egypt,
Spain, USA, Ethiopia, Sudan, United Arab Emirates, etc. The most
notorious ones are:
1.Al
Qaeda
2.The
Islamic Army
3.The
World Islamic Front for Jihad Against Jews and Crusaders
4.The
Islamic Army for the Liberation of the Holy Places
5.Islamic
Salvation Foundation
6.The
Group for the Preservation of the Holy Sites
7.Abu
Nidal Organization
8.Al
Tawheed Organization
9.Al
Ikhwan Al Muslimin
10.Ansar
Al Arab
11.Abou
Sayyaf Group
12.Armed
Islamic Group
13.Harakat
Al Moujahiddin
14.Hizballah
or Hizboul’ Lah
16.Palestine
Liberation Front- Abou Abbas Group
17.Popular
Front for the Liberation of Palestine
18.Ramzi
Youssef Group
19.Al
Mourabitoun
20.Nabih
Birry Group
21.Al
Sader Front, also called Shabab Al Sader and Shabab Al Nasr
22.Hamas
23.Imad
Al Alami Group
24.Al
Intifadah
25.Muslim
Jurists on Jihad
26.Yahya
Ayash Group
27.Al
Zarkawi Group
28.George
Habash Organization
29.Arabian
Peninsula Al Jihad
30.Al
Sahikaa (Affiliated with the Syrian army)
31.Fallujah
Brigade
32.Harakat
Al Nasr
33.Al
Moukawama Al Sha'biya (Affiliated with Hizboul’lah. Operating from
the Muslim district of Beirut)
34.Harakat
Al Tahrir
35.Joubhat
Al Tahrir
36.Al
Imam Ali Front. Originated in South Lebanon in Saida and Sour and
financed by Iran and Iraq.
37.Indonesian
Al Jihad Group. Originated in Jakarta. Financed by Bin Laden and
wealthy members of the Saudi Royal families
38.Kuala
Lumpur Jihad Group. Financed by wealthy Muslim businessmen from
Malaysia and Indonesia with a direct link to Bin Laden et al
39.A
small group of extremely fanatic Muslims called Jaysh Al Tahrir;
remnants of the Al Jaysh Al Arabi which was created in 1974-1975 in
Beirut. The Jaysh Al Arabi also known as Jaysh Loubnan Al Arabi
(Arab Army of Lebanon or Army of Lebanon The Arab) was placed under
the control of a Muslim Lebanese brigadier general named Abdel Aziz,
who previously served in the regular Lebanese army. Apparently
this man wrote several Arabic encyclopedias and was highly
decorated by various Arab countries. He made several trips to the
emirates of the United Arab Emirates along with Ghaleb Fahs, a
Shiist (Shia’a) figure and a former Director General of the Ministry
of Youth and Sport of Lebanon, himself a former colonel in the
regular Lebanese army. He was also a close friend to general Ali Ali
Amer from Egypt who served as the commander-in-chief of the United
Arab Forces of the "Arab League" based in Cairo.
40.The
most recent and bloodiest terrorist organization is Al Maghrabi
Group which mushroomed in Algeria and is currently extremely active
in Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. This group managed to recruit thousands
of fanatic Muslims and particularly Saudi nationals from Riyadh, Al
Khobar and Al Tai'f areas.
41.The
Voice of Jihad, operating in Saudi Arabia
42.Michel
Aflack Group remnants. This group is financed by Syria. It played
major destructive role in the civil war of Lebanon, For a while, it
vanished from circulation, later it resurfaced in Algeria, Pakistan
and Afghanistan.
43.Jabhat
Al Falujah (Front of Squadron of Al Falujah) recently created in
Iraq but originated in Saudi Arabia three weeks ago.
44.Al
Islah: An extremely dangerous organization created in May 2004 and
operating in Malaysia, United Kingdom, Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia.
Their specialty is to capture and kill westerners working in Saudi
Arabia. They are well-connected to the official authorities and
police of the Saudi Kingdom.
45.Abdel
Aziz Al Mukrin Front. Originally established in Somalia. This is an
extremely dangerous terrorist organization specializing in bomb
making with close ties to Al Qaeda and the followers of Sheik
Mohammad. They are currently operating in Saudi Arabia.
46.Al
Madri Group, an extremely effective terrorist organization
established in 1982 in Lebanon and Afghanistan by Al Madri himself
and active fighters from Hizbul’ lah in Southern Lebanon. This group
was responsible for the killings of several CIA agents, including
operations officer, Mr. Higgins. The United States have been trying
to locate this group for the past twenty years without any apparent
success. Recently, this group moved to Saudi Arabia and to the
eastern and western regions of Afghanistan. Some observers claim
that Al Madri group met with Pakistan's Mousharaff military
intelligence on more than one occasion.
Intifada toll
2000-2005
|
 The
four years of the Palestinian intifada have cost more than 4,000
lives. B'tselem, an Israeli human rights group, has been
tracking casualty figures on both sides.
Most of the statistics cover
the period from 29 September 2000 to 15 January 2005.
PALESTINIANS KILLED BY ISRAELIS*
 3,135
killed by security forces in the West Bank and Gaza
including 627 aged under 18, 181
killed in extrajudicial executions and 288 (including at least
29 aged under 18) killed in the course of these assassinations.
54 killed by security forces in Israel
including one aged under 18
34 killed by Israeli citizens in the West Bank and Gaza
including three aged under 18
*There are no figures to show
the proportion of Palestinians who were combatants and those who
were civilians.
ISRAELIS KILLED BY PALESTINIANS
 431
civilians killed in Israel
including 78 aged under 18
218 civilians killed in the West Bank
and Gaza Strip
including 34 aged under 18
218 Israeli security forces killed in
West Bank and Gaza
83 Israeli security forces killed in
Israel
PALESTINIANS KILLED BY PALESTINIANS
.jpg) 101
killed by Palestinian civilians on suspicion of
collaborating
29 killed by members of the
Palestinian security forces (for September 2000 to September
2004)
3 Palestinians killed by gunfire from
Palestinians shooting at Israeli civilians (for September 2000
to September 2004)
2 Palestinian security forces killed
by Palestinians attacking Israeli soldiers (for September 2000
to September 2004)
Foreign citizens killed
33 foreign citizens (including two
aged under 18) were killed by Palestinians in Israel
10 foreign citizens were killed by
Israeli security forces in the West Bank and Gaza
9 foreign citizens were killed by
Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza
Killings by foreign citizens
3 Israeli civilians were killed by
foreign citizens (for September 2000 to September 2004)
PALESTINIAN CITIZENS OF ISRAEL
(for September 2000 to September 2004)
Palestinian citizens of Israel killed:
13 Palestinian citizens of Israel were
killed in Israel by the Israeli police and border police.
4 Palestinian citizens of Israel were
killed by Israeli security forces in the West Bank and Gaza
Strip
Killings by Palestinian citizens of
Israel
(for September 2000 to September 2004)
3 Israeli citizens were killed in
Israel by Palestinian citizens of Israel
1 member of the Israeli security
forces was killed in Israel by a Palestinian citizen of Israel
(The above figures do not include
Palestinians who died because medical treatment was delayed due
to Israeli restrictions on their movement, nor does it include
those killed by explosive devices which were on their person.)
|
|
|
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Probing the Arab Media
What usually, Arab heads of states, politicians,
scholars, moderate leaders and reporters tell the American public,
IS NOT what they tell their own people and state in the Arab
media.
Most recently, the Arab media including AL AKHBAAR
and Al AHRAM, two leading newspapers in Cairo presented a very
"special" Arab point of view and scenario of the Sinai bombings. It is
intriguing and amusing to learn how editorials in leading Arab
publications interpret and explain terrorism and bombings caused by
their compatriots. Publicly, and in English, the editorials appear to
be siding with the United States, and encouraging perpetual peace with
Israel. However, if we read the texts in Arabic, the whole story and
whole intentions of the Arabs change drastically. According to AL
AHRAM, the Sinai bombings presented Sharon with an opportunity to
further marginalize the Palestinian cause. The Egyptian media reports
that Sharon will exploit the bombings with relish. Furthermore, Arab
editorials argue that Israel's Gaza rampage was not just a response to
the firing of Qassam missiles. It does not mean that Arabs have to
subscribe to claims that Israel needs no excuse for its actions. Arab
Media Commentaries: " You cannot impose a unilateral solution to a
conflict without recourse to extraordinary levels of violence." A
verbatim translation of selected articles and comments in the Arab
media goes like this: " The latest Israeli incursion into Gaza was not
unrelated to the rudimentary weapon -- missile is perhaps too grand a
term for these devices -- Gazans have developed to fight the situation
into which they have been thrust, a situation, unprecedented in modern
history, that essentially locks a million and a half people into a
prison with two gates. Israeli violence in Gaza, in Jenin and Nablus,
is structurally integral to the problems of disengagement -- you
cannot impose a unilateral solution to a conflict without recourse to
extraordinary levels of violence. And this is alarming, for, despite
all the peace efforts deployed by Israel to bring peace to the region,
Arab media, constantly undermines those efforts and Israel's
intentions and the possibility of peace negotiations with Arab
countries, particularly Syria. The October's general message conveyed
by the Arab Media in Egypt, Syria, Sudan, Yemen and Lebanon as
published on the very front page of their leading publications goes
like this: "Unlike the Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon where a
sovereign state claimed control and responsibility on the evacuated
areas, the issue in Gaza is not just one of unilateral withdrawal, but
of redeployment on conditions Israel believes will consolidate its
control over areas of the West Bank. It hopes to control Gaza with
less friction from the outside and annex parts of the West Bank while
at the same time improving its international standing and alleviating
international pressures to engage in a settlement process Israel
neither wants nor can engage in given its current leadership and the
state of public opinion." Several commentaries and articles appeared
in AL AHRAM stated that it is the Qassam missiles, though, that have
thrown into relief Israel's threadbare justifications for the
construction of the security wall and unilateral disengagement. The
wall cannot hold even against such a primitive weapon. Israel is
perfectly aware that after the redeployment of the Israeli troops the
occupants of Gaza will never accept their fate as prisoners, will not
accept an occupation at arm's length from the other side of a wall,
certainly not in the absence of even the promise of a just settlement
and a resolution to the question of Palestinian national sovereignty.
"Conducting a survey among so-called moderate Arab scholars and
political leaders, the common Arab belief is that Israel is not taken
in by its hollow demagoguery about the culture of "terrorism". It is
perfectly aware of the causes and knows exactly what to expect. It
will make every attempt to minimize the possibility of Palestinian
reaction, by using all its military capacities to produce a climate of
fear.
THE TWO FACES OF ARAB MEDIA AND POLITICAL LEADERS
While, publicly, and in speeches in English given
by President Mubarak and members of his cabinet urging the United
States to enhance the peace process in the Middle East and welcoming
Israeli's "sincere" initiatives, contradictory statements in Arabic
are regularly printed in the Arab press. For instance, one of the
commentaries of AL AHRAM stated: "The brutal assault against Gaza is,
then, an attempt to provide an answer to a knot of intertwined
problems. There are, for example, domestic political issues, raised by
those who question the feasibility of suppressing Palestinian
resistance by brute force. The Israeli government's answer is to move
from one kind of violence to another, from one phase of escalation to
the next, hence the military incursions into poor residential areas
and targeted assassinations in Damascus. There are also strategic
questions over how to inhibit the development of the Palestinians'
capacity to resist following unilateral withdrawal. " Another chocking
statement was recently published in the AL AHRAM newspaper: "Israeli
efforts in this regard have been greatly facilitated by the Sinai
bombings, the first operation that has allowed a link to be made
between international terrorist networks and the Palestinians, and the
first time international terrorist operations have been mounted around
the borders of Palestine.
DENIAL AND HYPOCRISY
Quite often, Arab leaders and especially the
Egyptians publicly wash their hands from violent measures taken by the
Palestinians. Even, the Palestinians upon meeting with high level
aides at The White House, denounce terrorism acts. But their public
statements as published in the Arab media are quite different. Some
messages and commentaries are regularly reinforced and elaborated upon
by editors in the Arab media. For instance, political analysts at AL
JAZERRA, AL AKBAAR, AL SAFIR and AL AHRAM stated that regardless of
their positions vis-à-vis the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty, the
Palestinian factions maintain good relations with Egypt and want to
keep it that way. If asked, the factions would all reply that only
harm could come from attempting to rock the economic or political
stability of Egypt. More importantly, Palestinian political
organizations have made it clear that they will not target Israeli
citizens abroad. Disengaging from violence of any sort against
civilians in nations outside Palestine was a wise decision, in spite
of the fact that the Israelis have not responded in kind. The
editorial included this irrational interpretation of political
analysis. It goes like this: " The Sinai bombings offer Sharon an
historic opportunity to promote tighter security coordination in the
region and provide a justification for linking security coordination
with economic and political interests. The response of Egyptian public
opinion to the Luxor attacks of 1994 was sufficiently vehement to
alter the course of fundamentalist violence, compelling many
organizations to modify their thinking. If this was the case when the
perpetrators were Egyptian, imagine the reaction when such attacks are
linked to non-Egyptian groups?
HOW THE ARAB MEDIA EXPLAIN THE REACTION OF ARABS
AND EGYPTIAN PUBLIC
According to the Arab media, it would be impossible
to misconstrue the reaction of Egyptian public opinion to the Sinai
operations and, in spite of the Egyptian government's attempts to play
down the magnitude and causes of the bombings in order to prevent
panic in the tourist industry, you can be sure that it is taking the
matter very seriously. In addition, the Arab media , intentionally
misinterprets facts and brings constants complaints against Israel in
public gathering, forum, discussions and editorials. The latest
unconceivable Arab explanation of the Sinai bombings and Israel
security cooperation as published in numerous Arab newspapers confused
the Arab readers and encouraged them to distrust any peace effort by
Israel. One of the most illustrative editorials contained illogical
analysis of what really happened in Sinai and what really the Israeli
intentions are. It goes like this: " The first reaction of Israeli
ministers was to hurl criticism at Egypt for being slow to allow in
Israeli rescue workers. Such inanities and fictions are concocted for
media consumption in times of public hysteria. Sharon quickly put a
cap on that, reproaching his ministers for their pettiness and
reiterating his opinion, and that of "experts", that had the victims
all been Egyptian the Egyptian authorities could not have acted more
competently, this is their capacity. Here was an opportunity for
Sharon to extend his embrace to Egypt over the matter of security
coordination in the fight against terrorism. He told his ministers to
swallow their knee-jerk responses and keep their opinions about Egypt
to themselves. Israel, as we all know, uses terrorism as a blanket
term. And now, acting on Sharon's directives, Israeli ministers are
suddenly singing Egypt's praises in the hope of flattering Cairo into
closer security cooperation, even if that means meeting the Egyptian
demand to amend the Camp David peace treaty to permit for a stronger
Egyptian military presence in Sinai. Whether or not Egypt responds to
these overtures, Israel has seized upon the Sinai bombings to step up
its drive to establish a network of bilateral security cooperation
links in the region, while simultaneously sustaining its brutal
assault on Gaza."
CLIMATE OF WEARINESS
Some Arab newspapers kept the subject off the front
page on the first day of the operation while others placed it towards
the bottom of that page. Political commentators in leading Arab
newspapers and Arab news agencies explain: "This suggests a drive to
manufacture a climate of weariness over the Palestinian cause, to
engineer fatigue among Arab public opinion. The only non-wearying items
that appear newsworthy these days are discussions within the Palestinian
leadership, or about the Palestinian leadership and possible candidates.
This, for some reason, seems a perennially exciting subject. And it
allows the Palestinian cause, and Israeli crime, to be reduced to a
constant focus on the role of the Palestinian leadership and the need to
change it. Those who would advise the Palestinians have tired of
everything but harping on this crisis. They remain doggedly persistent.
The core of the Arab editorial is basically and essentially to portray
the Israelis as constant aggressors. This month, the Arab media placed a
strong emphasis on "Israeli crimes" which according to editorials
published in AL SAFIR, AL AHRAM and in AL JAZEERA Arab news edition on
line " They appear nothing but a secondary detail, Israeli declarations
that they will wreak vengeance on Palestinian society as a means to
pressure the factions into halting their military operations fall on
deaf ears. The official American definition of terrorism, as defined in
the Patriot Act, holds that terrorism is "to subject American civilians
to acts of violence with the intent of influencing the policy of their
government". Well, Tel Aviv has made it abundantly clear that it is
bombarding Palestinians in order to influence the policy of their
leadership. But the US vetoed a security council decision condemning
Israeli aggression in Gaza. And what is the Arab stand on this? You
won't find out in the Arab press."
PRAISING THE US AND ISRAEL-ARAB PEACE EFFORTS IN
OFFICIAL MEETINGS, WHILE ATTACKING THE US AND ISRAEL IN THEIR ARAB
NEWSPAPERS
Several editorials in
the Arab press in Lebanon, Syria and Egypt wrote that there was a time
when Arabs spoke about American phases in the region. There was a
Truman phase, a Kissinger phase, a Carter phase and a Baker phase.
Perhaps Arabs should now talk of a Sharon phase, a phase of Israeli
schemes and projects. Its most salient features are to be found in the
military and political structures and operations required to marginalize
the Palestinian cause, even in the Arab world, making the disengagement
plan the only available alternative, with no roadmaps or even detours.
The Arab media is placing a strong emphasis on the so-called "Israeli
phase". Several commentaries on the front page of major Arab newspapers
characterized the "Israeli Phase" as a series of attempts to
internationalize the Congress approved boycott of Syria.
ARAB FALSIFICATIONS OF FACTS AND INTENTIONS OF
ISRAEL
The overwhelming number
of articles published in the Arab media between October 1st and October
18Th, and geared toward distorting the intention of Israel added more
confusion in the mind of ordinary Arab citizens. Editorials and
articles in Arab Gulf area and Middle East newspapers claimed that
Israel has no intention -whatsoever- to bring peace to the region. One
particular statement caught my attention. It was published in Al AHRAM
newspaper and posted on their website. It goes like this: " If Syria
really wants peace, Israel says, it must demonstrate this "in deeds, not
in words". At the same time, and without batting an eyelash, Israel
refuses to negotiate with Syria because negotiations could only result
in Israel withdrawing to pre-June 1967 borders. Israel puts about the
false claim that Syria is begging on its knees for Israel to negotiate,
then turns up its nose at the imagined entreaties, all the better to
swagger and strut and play the bully shoving aside pedestrians on the
sidewalk. But Syria has made no new overtures of any sort: it has merely
reiterated its commitment to previously stated positions on a settlement
and on the negotiating process.
UNDERSCORING THE BALANCE OF POWER
In concocting this image of a groveling
Syria Israel is underscoring the balance of powers in the region. The US
hasn't changed one iota. It is still breathing down Syria's neck and it
will go on breathing down Syria's neck until Syria does its bidding. But
because there are no justifications, not even according to US-Israeli
logic, for declaring war on Syria the only course open to them is to do
everything in their power to weaken Syria, undermine its sovereignty and
encourage others to do the same. These are just some of the traits of
the new phase Israel is seeking to usher in to the region. Of course,
the going will not be so easy. Apart from the political map inside
Israel, there are structural problems Israel will face. The only power
at present capable of occupying other nations is embroiled in the war it
engineered in Iraq. It has found itself incapable of controlling the
pace and the logic -- or lack thereof -- of this war. Israel, in its
attempt to inaugurate its own phase in the region, is certain to
encounter obstacles next to which those that America is facing in Iraq
will pale. So wisdom requires from Israel to get acquainted with its
real size in the region. It will also not be harmful for the Arabs to
have some knowledge about it so they do not get intimidated so easily."
Prince Charles: Islam’s New
Ambassador
By Cinnamon Stillwell
Prince Charles of
Wales and his new bride, Camilla Parker Bowles, the Duchess of Cornwall,
have been in the United States, hobnobbing at the White House and
imparting royal pearls of wisdom. According to statements made prior to
this visit, Prince Charles thinks the U.S. is “intolerant” towards
Islam. In Prince Charles’ view, it’s all gone downhill since 9/11
because of the Bush administration’s “confrontational” approach to
Muslim countries. In fact,
he made these comments during a meeting with Muslim
leaders soon after 9/11. Of course, Great Britain’s “tolerance” for
Islam is hardly the model to follow. After allowing Islamic extremism
to fester openly in Muslim mosques and neighborhoods (to the point where
the nickname “Londonistan” became commonplace), the
UK was attacked by homegrown terrorists on July 7, 2005.
The London bombings were the culmination of years of turning a blind eye
to the cancer within. Initially, there was much talk about retaining a
sense of “British identity” in lieu of the self-destructive
multiculturalism that had engulfed English society, but that has since
faded into obscurity. The “stoic” British spirit in the face of
terrorism and the country’s historical legacy of wartime endurance were
also popular topics. But instead of defiance, the British reacted more
with resignation. “We can take it,” was the mantra uttered by many an
Englishman in the wake of the bombings, as if bearing terrorism rather
than fighting it was their unavoidable fate. But even after these
brutal attacks, the British descent into
dhimmitude continued. Radical groups such as
Al Mahajiroun are still calling publicly for jihad
against the West and the creation of an Islamic Caliphate to rule
Britain. Members of the British government such as Respect Party MP
George Galloway openly side with Islamists against their own country,
going so far as to aid in the propaganda battle with regular appearances
on
al-Jazeera and
other Arab media outlets.
Muslim voters and
politicians are having an increasing influence on the British political
landscape. When
Queen Elizabeth knighted the Secretary General of the
Muslim Council of Britain, Iqbal Sacranie (now Sir Iqbal Sacranie),
it was the epitome of this trend. Although
paying lip service to condemning violence against
civilians (a word with multiple connotations among Muslims), Sacranie
has also said of the July 7th terrorists: “Nothing is clear about what
motivated them.” In a country where knighthood is conferred upon such
luminaries as Sir Mick Jagger and Sir Elton John, the honor bestowed
upon Sacranie is hardly shocking. But something tells me rock stars
will have less of an impact on British politics in the years to come
than will Islamists.
To cap all this off,
British banks are now
fazing out piggy banks because they “offend Muslims.”
It’s apparently not enough that Muslims abstain from eating pork, as do
devout Jews. The mere sight of a pig-like figurine is an affront to
their purity. At this rate, it’s just a matter of time before the sight
of women’s uncovered heads will also be deemed offensive to Muslims and
such freedoms will go the way of piggy banks. The Islamic Caliphate is
encroaching and England is appears to be going down without a fight.
Prince Charles certainly seems to be on board for the change over. His
recent visit to Georgetown University’s Center for
Muslim-Christian Understanding was simply the icing on the cake. It
turns out his fascination with Islam, along with various
New Age pursuits, has a long history.
In 2000, Prince
Charles
made a point of visiting former singer Cat Stevens
(turned Muslim convert Yusuf Islam) at his Islamia School in Britain,
where he congratulated Cat a.k.a. Yusuf for his efforts to spread “peace
and harmony through education.” The fact that Stevens is
an active sympathizer of terrorist groups and was
deported back to Britain after appearing on a no-fly list in the U.S.
would seem to belie such claims. The Prince has also
become a patron of the UK’s Center for Islamic Studies,
along with the late King Fahd of Saudi Arabia, who once donated 33
million dollars to the school. When Prince Charles became Supreme
Governor of the Church of England in 1994 he
opted to call himself not the traditional “defender of
the faith,” but rather “defender of faiths” so as not to offend
non-Christians. A year earlier, he
gave a speech in which he urged the West to overcome its
“unthinkable prejudices” about Islam. Of Islam’s unthinkable prejudices
towards every other religion in the world, he had little to say. Prince
Charles tends instead to employ the logic of moral relativism
by equating Christian “extremism” with Islamic extremism,
as if the two are comparable.
With all of this
mind, one has to wonder whether Prince Charles’ own conversion to Islam
is eminent or if the royal family has simply made the change from
symbolic rulers to proselytizers for Islam? Amidst this backdrop,
anti-Semitism in the UK is at an all-time high. Whether
it be the brainwashed leftists in academia
calling for boycotts and divestment from Israel, or the
Muslim Council of Britain (of Sir Ian Sacranie fame) insisting that
commemorating Holocaust Day is somehow offensive to
Muslims, things aren’t looking too good for Jews in England these days.
This may explain why British Jews are streaming out of the country and
in some cases moving to Israel. According to
writer Barry Shaw who sells real estate in Israel, sales
have been booming as British Jews choose to settle in Israel instead of
waiting around for things to get worse. In truth, British society has
always had an anti-Semitic streak along with a propensity for Arabism,
and both are now reaching their logical conclusion.
Meanwhile over in
France, Muslim mobs have been rioting for the past two weeks. It began
when two Muslim men (or “youths” as the media likes to call them) hiding
from police in a power substation accidentally electrocuted themselves.
Riots ensued and quickly spread, resulting in roaming gangs attacking
police, setting hundreds of vehicles on fire, firing guns into the
street, hurling Molotov cocktails and stones at firehouses, and burning
down stores. The violence ratcheted up a notch when rioters
doused a disabled woman in gasoline and tossed a Molotov
cocktail at the bus she was in, almost burning her to death. Another
man
fared even worse, dying after being in a coma for a week
thanks to the group of thugs that attacked him. Meanwhile, France’s
“leaders” dither on ineffectually.
France’s high
unemployment rate and segregated ghettos have long been fertile ground
for crime and extremism, but what we’re witnessing now is nothing less
than societal collapse. Much like England, multiculturalism has created
an unassimilated population in which radicalism has been allowed to
flourish. Whether or not the latest generation of Muslims actually
wishes to integrate into French society is another matter. This last
question is also integral to the Muslim riots that have been
occurring in Denmark.
They were
spurred on by anger
at the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten for running a series of
cartoons based on the prophet Mohammed. It appears the newspaper
miscalculated in thinking that the Muslim community would welcome such
freedom of speech. As Imam Raed Hlayehel put it in a statement,
“This type of democracy is worthless for Muslims.”
With both Denmark
and France burning,
a civil war seems to be brewing in Europe and it’s
unlikely to end anytime soon. All
of this so far is a far cry from the relatively integrated and
prosperous Muslim population in the United States. A drive through the
largely Arab-American enclave of Dearborn, Michigan demonstrates not
ghettoes or alienation, but well-maintained streets and a thriving
business community.
Statistics on Arab-Americans bear out similar results.
According to the 2000 U.S. Census Bureau, people of Arab descent in the
U.S. are actually “better educated and wealthier than average
Americans.” This population includes Christians along with Muslims, but
the economic opportunities and institutions that benefit all Americans
is the real key to Arab-American success. Despite Prince Charles’
claims of American intolerance, incidents of
anti-Islamic hate crimes in the U.S. numbered only 154 in
2004.
This is far below
that of racially motivated hate crimes, not to mention those involving
other religions. Anti-Jewish hate crimes for instance, were the highest
of the bunch, numbering 954. Yet for some mysterious reason, Prince
Charles hasn’t commented on the “intolerance” of anti-Semitism in
America. In addition, the Bush administration has gone out of its way
to emphasize that the war on terrorism is not a war against Islam
itself. Some would say they’ve gone overboard in such pursuits, but the
administration certainly can’t be faulted for lack of effort.
And if helping to
rid Muslims of their despotic leaders is considered too
“confrontational,” then so be it. Perhaps Prince Charles needs
reminding that his own Prime Minister Tony Blair has been along for the
ride since day one. It’s obvious that the problems of Great Britain and
Europe with their Muslim population are far greater than that of the
United States. While the U.S. has its own extremist elements to contend
with, the long-term prospects are fairly hopeful. Commitment to
religious freedom is still high among Americans and this may prove to be
the ultimate savior. In contrast, Great Britain and Europe are
foregoing their Christian heritage in favor of an Islamic future.
Whether or not everyone goes willingly, sheer population numbers will
eventually engulf them. Islamists are nothing if not patient, assigning
centuries to these ongoing civilizational battles. And when it comes to
Europe, they are definitely winning. Just ask Prince Charles.
PA: "Synagogues are not holy places... they are symbols of the
occupation. We don't need them, and we will dispose of them."
AL Jazeera: Palestinians have set fire to three abandoned synagogues
amid the departure of the last Israeli soldiers from the Gaza Strip,
ending 38 years of military rule.
Photo:
Palestinians demolishing Gaza's
synagogues.
Al Jazeera
reported that Jewish settlers had taken the Torah scrolls from the
synagogues as well as prayer books and other holy items, symbolising the
end of the use of the buildings as houses of worship. Giant bulldozer
could be seen reducing to rubble one of the former places of worship in
the evacuated settlement of Netzarim, just to the south of Gaza City.
The synagogue had earlier been torched by scores of youths who had
entered Netzarim shortly after the last soldiers left. Last week, the
Israeli government voted 14-2 to keep the former houses of worship
intact, apparently in deference to Jewish rabbis who had ruled that the
demolition of the buildings would constitute a violation of halacha,
or Jewish religious law. The Palestinian Authority (PA) called the
Israeli decision "provocation" and "public relations entrapment". The
rabbis had warned the government that the destruction of the synagogues
by Jews would send the wrong signal to the world and might precipitate
attacks on Jewish houses of worship. PA President Mahmoud Abbas on
Monday dismissed the Israeli government decision as a public relations
maneuver. "They left empty buildings that used to be temples, but they
removed all the religious symbols, and they are no longer religious
places. Earlier, PA National Security official Jibril Rajoub said the PA
would demolish the empty buildings. "These are not holy places. The
Israeli army took away all holy objects, and all we have now is empty
buildings, most of which are ramshackle," Rajoub said in an interview
with Aljazeera on Sunday. "Synagogues are not holy places... they are
symbols of the occupation. We don't need them, and we will dispose of
them."
The PA
said the synagogues were "symbols of occupation"
Israeli officials denied
the Palestinian accusations of provocation, saying the army left the
synagogues intact because it "was too much to see Jews destroying Jewish
synagogues". Israel's Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom denounced the
torching of the synagogues. "This is a barbaric act by people who have
no respect for holy sites. The Palestinians have taken no real effort to
protect the synagogues," he told public radio.
Regev told Aljazeera.net that
Israel was expecting the PA to do its utmost to respect and preserve the
buildings. When asked whether Israel would accept handing the buildings
over to a third party or converting them into medical facilities for
children, as was proposed by some foreign officials, Regev said Israel
would welcome any solution that would respectfully deal with these
structures. Several Palestinian leaders had voiced concern over Israel's
motives in abandoning the synagogues. "We are damned if we do and damned
if we don't," PA negotiator Saeb Erikat said on Sunday during a radio
interview with Israeli state-run radio. He said Israel was adding
"another sensitive problem" to those left unresolved by the withdrawing
Israeli army, including the border crossings and the Gaza airport and
harbours. Israel and the PA are yet to reach agreement on these issues,
which for Gazans could make the difference between a successful
transition to political and economic freedom or remaining under Israeli
control. Rabbi Menachem Fruman of the settlement of Tku' near Bethlehem
had proposed converting the synagogues into mosques, arguing that
Muslims and Jews were worshiping the same God. However, some Palestinian
leaders privately voiced fears that turning the synagogues into mosques
could give Jews a pretext to pray at Muslim holy places, such as the al-Aqsa
Mosque in Jerusalem. "If we convert them into mosques, they would then
demand the right to pray at the Aqsa Mosque on the grounds that since
Muslims were allowed to pray in Jewish synagogues in Gaza, Jews also
have the right to pray in the mosques," said one Hamas member from the
Hebron region. "We respect Judaism and other religions. But this is a
media bluff. Hence the buildings should be demolished
respectfully," Palestinian Authority Mufti, Ikrema Sabri, told Voice of
Palestine radio. The Hamas member, who identified himself as Abu Ahmed,
said the demolition of synagogues by the Palestinians would also create
problems. "I think Israel wants the Palestinians to demolish these
structures in order to have a pretext for some nefarious designs against
Islamic holy places, especially in Jerusalem." He said the PA should
destroy the buildings immediately before they became an international
issue. A Hamas official in the Gaza Strip, Mahmoud al-Zahar, told
Aljazeera.net in a telephone interview on Sunday that the synagogues
would be demolished as soon as the Israeli army left Gaza.
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