Islamic Jihad of Palestine
Definition
Islamic Jihad of Palestine (الجهاد الإسلامي في فلسطين, al-Jihād al-Islāmī fī Filasṭīn), commonly referred to as Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), is a militant Islamist organization operating primarily within Palestine, with the objective of establishing an autonomous Palestinian state. The group also has a presence in other Middle Eastern regions, including Jordan and Lebanon.
Etymology
- Arabic: الجهاد الإسلامي في فلسطين (al-Jihād al-Islāmī fī Filasṭīn)
- Turkish: Filistin İslami Cihadı
Origin and Founding
The group was founded in 1979-1980 by Palestinian students in Egypt, who were significantly influenced by the Islamic Revolution in Iran and the radicalization of Egyptian Islamic student organizations. The founding members—Fathi Shiqaqi, Abd al-Aziz Odah, and Bashir Musa—became disillusioned with the moderation displayed by the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood and disapproved of what they saw as the neglect of the Palestinian issue by Egyptian Islamists.
Ideological Influences and Objectives
Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) draws ideological influences from the Islamic Revolution in Iran and adopts a strict and militant interpretation of Islam. Unlike other Palestinian groups like HAMAS which balance military engagement with social services, PIJ focuses solely on the use of violence and terror to achieve its aims. They believe that the Palestinian problem requires immediate attention through armed struggle, as opposed to negotiating or political routes.
Alliances and Support
PIJ maintains closer ties with Iran, receiving financial and logistical support. The group’s headquarters are in Syria, where they also receive additional logistical assistance. These relationships demonstrate the transnational nature of support that PIJ receives, contrasting with other local Palestinian groups.
Leadership
One of PIJ’s founders, Fathi Shiqaqi, was assassinated by Israeli agents in Malta in 1995. The current leader, Ramadan Shallah, previously resided and worked in Tampa, Florida, and now operates out of Damascus, Syria.
Comparative Analysis with HAMAS
Unlike HAMAS, which operates an extensive network of schools, clinics, and mosques along with military operations, PIJ is purely devoted to militant activities and terrorism. This points to a major distinction in both strategy and public engagement between the two organizations, even though they share similar ultimate goals regarding Palestinian autonomy.
Takeaways
- Founding and Influences: PIJ was founded by students influenced by Iranian and Egyptian revolutionary movements.
- Focus: Unlike HAMAS, PIJ solely focuses on militant activities.
- Support Networks: Receives significant financial and logistical support from Iran and Syria.
- Leadership: Leadership involves key figures who have histories of conflict with Israeli agencies.
Further Reading
- Books:
- “Islamic Jihad in Palestine: A Socio-Political Study” by Yossef Bodansky
- “Hamas and Islam in Palestine: Dialectics of Revolution” by Edoardo Crisafulli
- “Grassroots Jihad: Understanding National Radicalism within Muslim Communities” by Khaled Ahmed
Conclusion
The Islamic Jihad of Palestine remains a significant player in the Palestinian resistance movement predominantly characterized by its exclusive reliance on militant tactics. Unlike other organizations, PIJ distinguishes itself through its fidelity to violent methodologies and unyielding stance on Palestinian autonomy, fueled by strong allegiances to transnational supporters like Iran and Syria.
Understanding PIJ’s history, relationships, and core mission offers a nuanced perspective of the multifaceted dynamics within Palestinian resistance strategies in the broader Middle Eastern geopolitical landscape.
