Palestinian Islamic Jihad

Palestinian Islamist militant organization

The Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine (Arabic: حركة الجهاد الإسلامي في فلسطين, Harakat al-Jihād al-Islāmi fi Filastīn), simply known as Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), is a Palestinian Sunni Islamist organization. It was formed in 1981.

Islamic Jihad Movement
حركة الجهاد الإسلامي في فلسطين
FounderAbd Al Aziz Awda
LeaderFathi Shaqaqi (1981–1995)
Ramadan Shalah (1995–2018)
Ziyad al-Nakhalah (2018–present)
Dates of operationOctober 1981 – present
Split fromMuslim Brotherhood
Country Palestine
Active regionsGaza Strip, West Bank and Lebanon
IdeologyPalestinian nationalism
Sunni Islamism
Islamic fundamentalism
Anti-Zionism
Antisemitism(alleged)
Size8,000 (2011)[1]
Part ofAlliance of Palestinian Forces
Axis of Resistance
AlliesState allies:
 Iran[2]
 Syria[3]
Non-state allies:
 Hezbollah[4]
 Hamas
Designated as a terrorist group by Australia
 Canada
 European Union
 Israel
 Japan
 New Zealand
 United Kingdom
 United States
Websitewww.saraya.ps

PIJ was inspired by the Muslim Brotherhood. They reject the Oslo Accords. Their goal is to help create an independent Islamic Palestinian state.[5] It supports the military destruction of Israel and rejects a two-state solution. They have been supported by Syria and Hezbollah.[6][7] Their power began to grow faster in 2014 as support from Iran grew.[8]

References

change
  1. Ben Gedalyahu, Ben (7 November 2011). "Iran Backs Islamic Jihad's 8,000-Man Army in Gaza". Israel National News. Arutz Sheva. Archived from the original on 8 November 2011. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
  2. "IRAN UPDATE, OCTOBER 30, 2023". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  3. Rudoren, Jodi (3 May 2014). "Islamic Jihad Gains New Traction in Gaza". The New York Times. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  4. "IRAN UPDATE, OCTOBER 30, 2023". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 2023-10-31.
  5. BBC Archived 27 March 2009 at the Wayback Machine Who are Islamic Jihad? 9 June 2003
  6. "THE TERRORIST CONNECTION - IRAN, THE ISLAMIC JIHAD AND HAMAS". fas.org. Archived from the original on 12 December 2017. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  7. "Australian Government Attorneys General's Department - Palestinian Islamic Jihad". 20 August 2006. Archived from the original on 20 August 2006. Retrieved 16 March 2018.
  8. "The Gaza Strip: Who's in charge?". The Economist. 29 March 2014. Archived from the original on 5 July 2014. Retrieved 1 September 2017.