Israel is protecting Europe from terror. PM Netanyahu and EU Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini. Illustrative. Photo courtesy of: Avi Ohayon (GPO).
The same week that the IDF has had to confront Hamas terrorism from the Gaza Strip, Israel made multiple quieter headlines in their fight against the side of terrorism that isn’t quite as obvious, but ultimately just as dangerous. Fundraising and recruiting—those indirect elements that fuel terrorist organizations—received Israel’s focus as Hamas’ television station was designated a terrorist organization in its own right and Israeli diplomacy sought to cut off more terror dollars.
On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signed an order that deems “Al Aqsa” television as a terrorist entity, following an investigation by the Israel Security Agency (ISA) that found the station was being used by Hamas to recruit militants. A press release from Netanyahu’s office said that the move was recommended by the ISA and the Israeli Defense Ministry national anti-economic terrorism unit.
The move comes just days after Israeli Minister of Public Security and Strategic Affairs Gilad Erdan spoke with officials from multiple Western nations to encourage them to stop financial support of organizations calling to boycott Israel that also have ties to terrorism.
Erdan’s effort follows a report from his ministry—entitled “Terrorists in Suits”—that found more than 100 links connecting terror groups Hamas and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) with over a dozen organizations who promote the boycott, divestment and sanctions buy klonopin from mexico (BDS) movement against Israel. An Israeli press release on Erdan’s diplomacy said that more than two-dozen members of the terrorist organizations—including 20 of whom have spent time in prison—have achieved senior positions within BDS-supporting groups.
“In light of the findings of the report and the great duty we share as ministers responsible for interior and public security, I urge you to examine the activities of the boycott organizations operating in your country and ensure that they do not advance the radical agenda of the terrorist organizations to which they are connected, and halt any activities or public funding they receive,” Erdan was quoted by the press release as telling the ministers.
Erdan spoke with ministers from the United States, the United Kingdom, Brazil, India, and multiple European states, and they ranged from serving in their country’s justice departments to the Commissioner for the Security of the European Union.
The campaign to expose terror ties to boycott groups seems to be working. The Israeli Ministry of Strategic Affairs, according to the press release, has observed an impact in the donations from European nations to organizations in the BDS movement since the “Terrorist in Suits” report was published.
“It is unthinkable that terrorists who present themselves as human rights activists are going around European parliaments receiving legitimacy and funding from them,” Erdan was quoted as saying. “I urge my counterparts to put an end to the fraud stemming from BDS.”
(By Joshua Spurlock, www.themideastupdate.com, March 6, 2019)