2 July 2007

1. Israel Security Agency and Israel Police act to halt Hamas activity in Jerusalem 2 July 2007

2. INTRODUCTION: Hamas activities in Jerusalem The Hamas organization enjoys the widespread supportof the Palestinian population, due to the social and economic activities it arranges. This support assists the movement in achieving its strategic aims, and is one of the reasons for its success in the Gaza Strip. This strategy has also been applied in Jerusalem. In recent years, Hamas has been secretly operating in Jerusalem, determined to strengthen its position within the boundaries of municipal Jerusalem. The organization’s objective is to gain the support of East Jerusalem residents and to pose an alternative to Israeli rule in the city.

3. INTRODUCTION: Hamas activities in Jerusalem (cont.) The Hamas uses the social activities it arranges as a means of reaching a large community of young people, to indoctrinate them and to create a reserve of potential terror recruits. The advantage of recruiting a resident of East Jerusalem who holds an Israeli ID card, has access to Israel and understands the Israeli mentality is clear. To facilitate its buildup in Jerusalem, Hamas formed a secret headquarters, staffed by experienced operatives. The activities of the Jerusalem headquarters were coordinated with other Hamas headquarters, both in and beyond the West Bank.

4. Hamas activities in Jerusalem These are the methods used by Hamas to build its strength in Jerusalem and on the Temple Mount: Activities aimed at the East Jerusalem population Secret activities in the mosques, aid to the needy, economic support for Jerusalem detainees and doctrinal sermons delivered by senior Hamas members. Activities aimed at gaining de-facto control of the Temple Mount Hamas organizes events on the Temple Mount, religious lessons in the mosques and trips for youths. These trips are distinguished by their negative portrayal of Israeli sovereignty. The Hamas also initiates construction projects both on the Temple Mount and in its vicinity. Usra (youth cell) activities Hamas operates a network of youth cells (Usra) composed of youths from East Jerusalem. These Usra networks usually form the first stage in the recruiting and military training process of young Hamas members.

5. Hamas operational methods in Jerusalem Hamas headquarters – West Bank Hamas headquarters - abroad Hamasheadquarters - Jerusalem Hamas institutions - Jerusalem East Jerusalem neighborhoods Temple Mount “Innocent” cover for supportive events Hamas Quran tutoring center Secret Usras Recruitment Construction Hamas-financed events Ongoing Hamas activities Indoctrination prior to militarytraining

6. Halting Hamas activity in Jerusalem To achieve its strategic objectives, over the last few years Hamas established a series of institutions in Jerusalem, operating under the innocent cover of social-religious activities. Intensive efforts by Israeli security forces enabled them to locate these institutions and to prove that they were actually Hamas institutions responsible for organizing operations within sovereign Jerusalem. Successful intelligence gathering resulted in the banning of these institutions, effectively closing them down. Hamas leaders established substitute institutions, which were closed as well.

7. Halting Hamas activity in Jerusalem (cont.) Disruption and prevention of Hamas activities scheduled to take place on the Temple Mount and the Arab suburbs of Jerusalem under the guise of innocent religious events Exposure of the activities of secret Usras and the arrest of cell members Preventing the transfer of funds for the financing of Hamas activities: A year ago, the ISA identified a money smuggling network operating in the West Bank headed by a senior Jerusalem-based Hamas operative, Yakoub Abu Ezeb.The network was disrupted and the agent detained. Preventing Hamas activities during the PA elections, and obstructing Jerusalem Hamas members elected to the Palestinian legislative council

8. CLOSED 2005 The Wafada Institution CLOSED 2003 The Heritage Committee CLOSED 2005 The Akra’a Institution CLOSED 2005 The Rafada Institution CLOSED 2003 The Institution for Social Development

9. Arrest of Hamas headquarters members The ISA and the Israel Police have recently concluded a lengthy investigation during which eleven senior Hamas members – residents of eastern Jerusalem, ten of whom hold Israeli identity cards – were arrested. The State Prosecutor's Office is seeking to try them for various offenses including membership in a terrorist organization, financing terrorism and illegal use of property for terrorist purposes.

10. Arrest of Hamas headquarters members (cont.) During the investigation, evidence was uncovered that indicated intensive Hamas activity in Jerusalem, especially on the Temple Mount, financed by Hamas elements abroad. Several channels for transferring Hamas funds from abroad were discovered and NIS 400,000 were confiscated.

11. How the system works Hamas headquarters abroad The “Union of Good” European countries The Gulf States Saudi Arabia Bank accounts in PA territories Money transfer channels Money changers Couriers The Ba-Ram Charity Committee Cash transfers Hamas headquarters in Jerusalem

12. Hamas activities in Jerusalem In the last 18 months, Hamas' Jerusalem headquarters received over NIS 1 million in cash in this fashion. Evidence indicates that most of the aforementioned funds transferred by Hamas from abroad to Hamas headquarters in Jerusalem was used to finance Hamas activities on the Temple Mount, which were coordinated with Sheikh Raad Salah's Islamic Movement. 

13. Hamas activities in Jerusalem (cont.) Joint activities of Hamas and the Islamic Movement on the Temple Mount included: Organization of events on the Temple Mount during the month of Ramadan: During the month of Ramadan, the Hamas organized daily, large-scale post-fast evening meals, under the auspices of the Hamas organization abroad. Evidence suggests that the cost of these projects amounted to tens of thousands of US dollars. The project’s goal was to recruit support for Hamas and give the organization a foothold on the Temple Mount. 

14. Construction projects on the Temple Mount, coordinated with the Islamic Movement and financed by Hamas elements abroad. These projects were not coordinated with Israel and constitute a violation of the status quo. Organization of Hamas-financed guided tours of the Temple Mount. The objective as to strengthen the affinity of local residents to the Temple Mount.

15. Members of the Hamas leadership in Jerusalem Deceased Arrested Arrested Arrested Arrested Arrested Hassan Kik Head of Hamas in Jerusalem prior to his death Khaled Abu Arafa Minister for Jerusalem Affairs in the Hamas government Mohammed Tawtah Mohammed Abu Tir Ahmad Attoun Yakoub Abu Ezeb Financial officer of the Hamas in Jerusalem Hamas members of the Legislative Council Arrested Arrested Arrested Current detainees Nasser Abu SaudMember of Hamas leadership, Jerusalem Amin ShwikiResponsible for Hamas activities prior to his arrest Khalil GizawiMember of Hamas leadership, Jerusalem Arrested Arrested Arrested Arrested Arrested Nazem Ga’aba Ahmed Kurd Mohammed Qasrawi Mohammed Farah Afif ‘Aabdin

16. Central Hamas detainees Hamas leadership in Jerusalem Amin Rushdi Shwiki,b.1960, of Beit Hanina, glass factory owner.  Responsible for Hamas activities in Jerusalem.  Initiated contact with the organization's charity committee and prepared a channel for the transfer of funds. Shwiki sent an emissary to Hamas operatives abroad in order to organize money transfers to fund local operations. ARRESTED ARRESTED Nasser Yakoub Abu Saud, b. 1968, of A-Tur, teacher.  Active over the years in several Hamas institutions in Jerusalem, which were subsequently closed by Israel. Received transferred funds and was involved in organizing Hamas operations on the Temple Mount. ARRESTED Khalil Attia Gizawi, b. 1973, of Abu Tor, graduate of Islamic University of Gaza. Active over the years in a number of Hamas institutions in Jerusalem, which were subsequently closed by Israel. Received transferred funds and was involved in organizing Hamas operations on the Temple Mount.

17. Central Hamas detainees (cont.) Dahiat Al-Barid Al-Ram Charity Committee ARRESTED Mohammed Radwan Farah, b. 1958, Shuafat refugee camp, Chairman of the Dahiat Al-Barid Al-Ram Charity Committee. Managed the transfer of funds from Hamas operatives abroad to Hamas leaders in Jerusalem. Also met with Hamas operatives abroad and participated in the actual smuggling.

18. Summary The arrest of the Hamas Jerusalem leadership and the heads of the Dahiat Al-Barid Al-Ram Charity Committee significantly undermined Hamas activities in the city and its attempts to strengthen itself and gain influence in Jerusalem and on the Temple Mount. In addition to exposing and destroying channels for the transfer of funds, the operation has had a major demoralizing effect on Hamas' Jerusalem infrastructure, especially on those members with Israeli ID cards, who had felt secure in their operations in the city.

19. Summary (cont.) During the operation, close cooperation between Hamas and the Islamic Movement was uncovered in a number of fields: Initiation and implementation of joint projects on the Temple Mount The organizations operated jointly with financing from Hamas affiliates abroad, although senior Islamic Movement officials have been careful to avoid being directly associated with these affiliates. The Islamic Movement provides the “legal” cover for operations in Jerusalem and on the Temple Mount.

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