|
Trending Topics
|
Source: https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/22909/iran-palestinian-islamic-jihad
Iran Fueling Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Preventing Terrorists' Disarmament
(Gatestone Institute) Khaled Abu Toameh - Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), the second-largest terrorist organization in Gaza, has made it clear that it has no intention of abandoning its armed struggle against Israel. The Iran-backed group has reaffirmed its commitment to jihad (holy war), armed resistance, and the destruction of the "Zionist project." This message should be taken seriously by anyone hoping that the Gaza war can end with the disarmament of all armed groups. PIJ, Hamas, and the other terrorist groups in Gaza do not recognize Israel's right to exist and they are not prepared to abandon their weapons and their ideology of armed struggle. PIJ proudly announced that more than 2,000 of its fighters had been killed in Gaza, dozens more in the West Bank, and more than 80 on the Lebanese front. Those who believe that the conflict will end simply by persuading Hamas and PIJ to accept a new political arrangement in Gaza should listen carefully to what the terrorist groups themselves are saying. Defeating Islamist terrorism cannot be treated as a short-term diplomatic exercise. The international community should stop asking only what Israel intends to do next. It should ask what Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and their Iranian patron intend to do next. They intend to continue their jihad until the elimination of Israel.