[Wall Street Journal] Mark Dubowitz and Jonathan Snow - With its Al Manar television station launched in 1991, Hizballah pioneered the use of mass media as a weapon. It uses the station to recruit suicide bombers, raise money for terrorist operations, conduct pre-attack surveillance, and incite violence. This fall, the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas is poised to follow in Hizballah's footsteps. Until now, Hamas' Al Aqsa television has been broadcast only within Gaza, but this month it will begin satellite distribution via Nilesat, allowing Hamas to spread its message of hatred across the Middle East, North Africa, and most of Europe. Al Aqsa TV routinely broadcasts Hamas leaders calling for jihad, songs of incitement to murder, and videos of Hamas gunmen. Washington designated Al Manar a terrorist organization. Eight out of ten satellite providers have removed Al Manar from distribution. Similar steps can be taken to curb Hamas' Al Aqsa TV. Finally, the U.S. and Europe must put more pressure on the Egyptian government to deny Al Aqsa, as well as Al Manar, distribution over Nilesat.
2006-10-18 01:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive