Posted on 02/03/2004 1:57:20 PM PST by quidnunc
There is evidence that Hamas has discussed attacking targets in the US and Canada and has recruited foreign nationals who could be used to carry out such operations. US policymakers need to understand the threat posed by Hamas’ emerging pan-Islamic interpretation of jihad and its perceived role in the global anti-American jihad. In the meantime, Hamas’ rhetoric adds to the incitement fueling the jihadist movement worldwide, especially in encouraging young Muslims to go to fight US forces in Iraq.
In mid-December, while Saddam Hussein’s capture dominated the headlines, a potentially deadly threat that was closer to home escaped public attention. Israel announced that it was charging Jamal Aql, a Canadian citizen born in the Gaza Strip, with receiving training from Hamas [1] to conduct terrorist attacks in Canada and New York City. [2] Aql’s arrest provides important evidence that Hamas could be close to conducting its first attacks outside Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza Strip, [3] whose targets could include Americans. Previous Hamas attacks have claimed over a dozen American victims, but the group has not deliberately targeted Americans. Hamas appears now to have discussed such attacks and made contingency plans to execute them.
During his interrogation Aql reportedly stated that Hamas gave him the task of assassinating a senior Israeli official [4] visiting Canada and of targeting Canadian and American Jewish community leaders in both Canada and New York City. Aql was also told to raise money for Hamas in Canadian mosques. [5] According to both Canadian and Israeli press reports, Aql revealed that he was trained in the use of weapons during a trip to Gaza, when he was supposedly visiting family and seeking out a bride. Israeli reports have additionally claimed that Aql was taught how to use explosives. Aql’s father has called the allegations “nonsense.” Hamas has denied any link to Aql. [6] In Canada, despite his apparent limited financial means, Aql was reportedly enrolled in a costly training school for truck drivers, which aroused suspicion as to his intentions. [7]
News of Aql’s plans and arrest prompted remarkably little relief among Canadians that a terrorist threat had been averted. Rather, with the exception of Canadian Jewish leaders, [8] the news was viewed with skepticism and derision.
Israel’s announcement of Aql’s confession was portrayed as precipitate and Canadian officials openly questioned the veracity of Israel’s charges. They objected to Israel’s public announcement of Aql’s alleged confession before a trial, terming it “inappropriate” and “totally unacceptable.” [9] Some Canadian press reports charged that the Israeli authorities extracted the confession through either coercion or maltreatment. [10] The Canadian foreign ministry called on Israel to “respect” Aql’s Canadian citizenship and expressed regret at the lack of “consultations,” as well as statements by Israeli officials casting doubt on Aql’s innocence. [11]
Israel made mistakes in its handling of the initial announcement, but these do not necessarily invalidate its findings. The Israeli failure to inform Canada at an early stage about the arrest and investigation of Aql and its intention to prosecute him was an error. Comments that might be deemed prejudicial were also bound to be open to criticism. On the other hand, the official Canadian reaction exhibited a lack of understanding and sympathy for Israel’s predicament, which was bound to have irritated Israeli officials. The Israelis had, after all, potentially saved the lives of Canadian and American citizens.
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