After relating that al-Qaeda had established its presence in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas toned down his alarming announcement, stating “We have unconfirmed reports that Al Qaeda, which sent members to Jordan [Country Profile] and Saudi Arabia [Country Profile], may also send its members to us for purposes of sabotage?(source). It is likely that Abbas was evoking the specter of al-Qaeda in the hope of creating a political diversion; predicting the common threat of al-Qaeda could temporarily unite Palestinians and boost international support for his leadership. Yet?whether Abbas used an external threat for political expediency?there is ample evidence that demonstrates al-Qaeda?s interest in the Palestinians? cause and an unrelenting hatred for Israel .
In his communiqu?s, Osama Bin Laden has consistently remarked on Israel?s criminal treatment of Palestinians, on the illegitimacy of the Israeli state, and on the goal of recapturing Jerusalem for Muslims. Furthermore, al-Qaeda elements are linked to attacks against Israelis tourists in the Sinai Peninsula , in Kenya (Terrorist Incident and Terrorist Incident), and in Turkey . Additionally, the intercepted letter of Ayman al-Zawahri in July 2005 advised Abu Musab al Zarqawi ultimately to target Israel . A more recent Zawahiri communiqu? advised Hamas to stand firm in refusing to recognize Israel or previous peace agreements, adding “No one has the right, whether Palestinian or not, to abandon a grain of soil from Palestine?It is the duty of every Muslim to work in getting it back” (source).
Despite holding an ideological affiliation with global Islamic jihad, Hamas is opposed to al-Qaeda establishing a network within the Palestinian territories. Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahar delineated his organization?s differences with al-Qaeda, stating ?We are not a movement that labels people infidels or that abandons them. We are a movement that lives the realities of the people and that uses wisdom?to turn them to Islam? (source). After elevating their position within the Palestinian community through electoral success , Hamas has no interest in foreign, radical jihadists hijacking their resistance. Moreover, as a US and EU designated terrorist organization, Hamas recognizes al-Qaeda?s presence in the Territories can only bring unwelcome assumptions from the western donors that sustain their government.
In response to Abbas? announcement, Israel stated that they have been and would continue to counter the threat of al-Qaeda in the surrounding region. The Israeli government has cited the al-Qaeda threat in the past and specifically were concerned that operatives has slipped into the Gaza Strip from Egypt in the chaotic few days that followed their September 2005 withdrawal from Gaza . However, the end result of Israel?s current policy to isolate and bankrupt the Palestinian Authority would be a destabilized, lawless region: a suitable environment for al-Qaeda infiltration. As underscored just two weeks ago in these pages , Israeli officials, as well as their US counterparts, must consider this consequence in measuring the effectiveness of a hard line policy with the Palestinian government.