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Glossary of Key Terms and
Events in Israel's History |
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| Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade |
The Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade was formed as the military arm of Yasir Arafat’s political party, Fatah, shortly after the outbreak of the Palestinian violence in September 2000. Financed in part by the Palestinian Authority, it conducted some of the conflict’s deadliest and most destructive attacks on Israeli civilians, and was designated a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. in 2002. Israeli officials uncovered proof of financial payments made by high level Palestinian officials, including Yasir Arafat, to members of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade who were carrying out suicide terrorist attacks.
Like Fatah, the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade is a secular organization whose ideology – although colored by Islam – is centered on Palestinian nationalism.
Several of its leaders were killed or arrested during the “Second Intifada.” Its leader Marwan Barghouti is currently serving five consecutive life sentences in Israel. Its major operations include the January 2002 Jerusalem bombing by the first female suicide bomber, killing 1 and injuring 100 and twin suicide bombings in downtown Tel Aviv on January 5, 2003, killing 23 and injuring 100. The Brigade also claimed responsibility (along with Islamic Jihad) for the April 17, 2006 suicide bombing near Tel Aviv’s old bus station, killing 9 and wounding 40. The Brigade has also been responsible for scores of rockets launched from the Gaza Strip targeting civilians in southern Israel. |
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