Two British newspapers reported Friday that Omar Khan Sharif and Asif Mohammed Hanif, the terrorists who blew up a packed Tel Aviv bar Wednesday night, killing three and maiming over 60, had marched in "Peace demonstrations" in Gaza and were connected with the International Solidarity Movement (ISM).
The Independent and The Guardian reported that the two terrorists left Gaza in a cab by way of the Erez crossing. The two men told the soldiers manning the checkpoint that they were tourists travelling with the Alternative Tourism Group, a left-wing organization that offers the opportunity to "gain deeper insight into the difficulties facing grassroots peace initiatives in the Middle East".
The Guardian reports that Sharif and Hanif arrived at the offices of the International Solidarity Movement in Rafah and made contact with its members just days before the bombing.
A Western pro-Palestinian activist recognized the terrorists when they were shown on Israeli TV, The Guardian reported. He spoke to them last Friday at an ISM protest vigil at the site where American human shield Rachel Corrie was mistakenly killed defending a terrorist's home from an Israeli bulldozer. "As soon as I heard their names on the television my heart sank," he said. "I didn't need to see the pictures. When they showed their passports on the TV, it was them."
This is not the first time that ISM, a self proclaimed "peace" organization encouraging foreigners to come to Israel and interfere with IDF operations, has been involved in questionably "peaceful" activities. From blocking the razing of terrorists' homes to physical attacks and attempts to destroy Israeli roadblocks, the movement has become increasingly violent.
When terrorists seized control of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, members of ISM barged through IDF positions to deliver food and supplies to the terrorists holed up inside, prolonging the standoff. After an agreement was reached with the Palestinian terrorists, the ISM members still refused to leave the church, preventing the implementation of resolution that had been reached. They then charged that they were mistreated by clergy, who claimed the ISM members had desecrated the church by smoking, vandalism and drinking alcohol.
Another ISM operation took place shortly before the Bethlehem incident, when a number of members raced past IDF forces into Yasser Arafat's Ramallah compound to "protect" the terrorist leader.
And in the most damning incident linking ISM directly with mainstream Palestinian terror organizations, senior Islamic Jihad terrorist, Shadi Sukiya, was captured by an elite anti-terror unit of the IDF while hiding out in the Jenin offices of the International Solidarity Movement. The ISM office head refused to let the IDF come in, claiming nobody was inside. The soldiers entered anyway, found Sukiya and after a thorough search found two Kalachnikov assault rifles and a handgun as well.
Israel, in a move similar to Europe, Canada and the US' methods of dealing with anti-globalization protesters, has decided not to allow pro-Palestinian activists to enter the country and will begin deporting those interfering with IDF operations.
The Independent and The Guardian reported that the two terrorists left Gaza in a cab by way of the Erez crossing. The two men told the soldiers manning the checkpoint that they were tourists travelling with the Alternative Tourism Group, a left-wing organization that offers the opportunity to "gain deeper insight into the difficulties facing grassroots peace initiatives in the Middle East".
The Guardian reports that Sharif and Hanif arrived at the offices of the International Solidarity Movement in Rafah and made contact with its members just days before the bombing.
A Western pro-Palestinian activist recognized the terrorists when they were shown on Israeli TV, The Guardian reported. He spoke to them last Friday at an ISM protest vigil at the site where American human shield Rachel Corrie was mistakenly killed defending a terrorist's home from an Israeli bulldozer. "As soon as I heard their names on the television my heart sank," he said. "I didn't need to see the pictures. When they showed their passports on the TV, it was them."
This is not the first time that ISM, a self proclaimed "peace" organization encouraging foreigners to come to Israel and interfere with IDF operations, has been involved in questionably "peaceful" activities. From blocking the razing of terrorists' homes to physical attacks and attempts to destroy Israeli roadblocks, the movement has become increasingly violent.
When terrorists seized control of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, members of ISM barged through IDF positions to deliver food and supplies to the terrorists holed up inside, prolonging the standoff. After an agreement was reached with the Palestinian terrorists, the ISM members still refused to leave the church, preventing the implementation of resolution that had been reached. They then charged that they were mistreated by clergy, who claimed the ISM members had desecrated the church by smoking, vandalism and drinking alcohol.
Another ISM operation took place shortly before the Bethlehem incident, when a number of members raced past IDF forces into Yasser Arafat's Ramallah compound to "protect" the terrorist leader.
And in the most damning incident linking ISM directly with mainstream Palestinian terror organizations, senior Islamic Jihad terrorist, Shadi Sukiya, was captured by an elite anti-terror unit of the IDF while hiding out in the Jenin offices of the International Solidarity Movement. The ISM office head refused to let the IDF come in, claiming nobody was inside. The soldiers entered anyway, found Sukiya and after a thorough search found two Kalachnikov assault rifles and a handgun as well.
Israel, in a move similar to Europe, Canada and the US' methods of dealing with anti-globalization protesters, has decided not to allow pro-Palestinian activists to enter the country and will begin deporting those interfering with IDF operations.