TEL AVIV — Hamas has been recruiting Palestinians for the war in
Chechnya and several other foreign conflicts.
Documents seized from Hamas strongholds in the West Bank and Gaza Strip
have cited the Chechen revolt as one of the leading Islamic struggles. The
documents, include propaganda posters, that tout the Islamic war against
Russia in Chechnya as well as the Al Qaida-aligned leader Shamil Basayev, Middle East Newsline reported.
The other causes, in addition to Palestine, are Afghanistan, Balkans, Kashmir and Lebanon.
Israel's military also seized videos distributed by Hamas to schools and
youth clubs that lauded the Chechnya revolt. Military sources said the
videos were used to recruit new members to Hamas and the global Islamic
insurgency. The videos were found at the American University in Jenin and
Hebron University and the Hamas-financed Orphans Home in Hebron.
Hamas has been in contact with Chechen rebels as part of the Palestinian
movement's effort to expand relations and cooperation with other Islamic
groups. Hamas was said to have modeled itself after the Iranian-sponsored
Hizbullah and Chechen insurgents, who have formed a virtual state in
Chechnya.
