Manji rallies Muslim expression against anti-Semitism

December 27, 2009

(JTA) -- Muslims placed personal messages against anti-Semitism on the Facebook page of a Muslim reformist and author.

The hundreds of personal messages on Irshad Manji's Facebook fan page were a thank you to the European Union of Jewish Students, for their statement earlier in the month condemning the Swiss vote to ban minarets in the country.

Following the Dec. 2 EUJS statement, Manji, the author of  “The Trouble with Islam Today: A Muslim’s Call for Reform in Her Faith” and the producer of the Emmy-nominated film, "Faith Without Fear," asked her Muslim fans to post personal statements against anti-Semitism.

"The move by Irshad Manji and EUJS has shown how successful and meaningful the Jewish and Muslim connection can be on a grassroots level. We hope that this connection is only the beginning of a springboard for further dialogue, cooperation and collaboration between Jewish and Muslim groups," read a statement from EUJS in its December newsletter.
 

IDF kills Fatah terrorists and Gaza infiltrators

Fatah officials in the West Bank demanded on Saturday [December 26, 2009] that the Palestinian Authority put an end to security coordination with Israel, after the IDF killed three Al-Aksa Martyrs Brigades operatives who were behind the Thursday shooting attack that killed [an Israeli, ] Meir Chai.

[Note: According to Ma'an, the Palestinian news service, "On Thursday, the Mughniya faction [of Fatah's Aksa Martyrs Brigade] said its members killed an Israeli settler near Nablus. In an emailed message, the organization also warned of "a series of attacks to come."" ]

Fayyad and commanders of the PA security forces visited the families of the three Fatah gunmen to offer condolences.

Nabil Abu Rudaineh, a spokesman for PA President Mahmoud Abbas, said that the Nablus raid, as well as the killing of three Palestinians from the Gaza Strip who tried to cross the border into Israel, showed that Israel "does not want peace." 

[From report, "PA urged to end cooperation with Israel," by Khaled Abu Toameh,  Dec. 26 and 27, 2009.  The article also notes that the IDF had also intercepted and killed three Palestinians trying to enter Israel from Gaza.]



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IDF identifies the Aksa Martyrs Brigade/Fatah terrorists:


Nader/Raed A-Gabar Machmad Surkajy, a 40 year old resident of Nablus, is a Nablus Fatah Tanzim activist and has been imprisoned in Israel in the past. Prior to his arrest in 2002, Surkajy was a senior member of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades and was involved in multiple terror attacks. Surkajy was also involved with the manufacturing of explosives and the establishment of an explosives-manufacturing laboratory in Nablus. Surkajy was arrested in April 2002 and was released earlier this year in January 2009.

Assan Fatachi Naif Abu Sharach, a 40 year old Nablus resident, has also been previosly imprisoned in Israel. He is the brother of Naif Abu Sharach, the former head of the Fatah Tanzim in Nablus, who was responsible for planning multiple terror attacks until he was killed by IDF soldiers in 2004.

Annan Saliman Mustafa Tzubach, a 36 year old Nablus resident, a Shahad Al-Aqsa activist and was involved in widespread militant activity within the framework of the Nablus Fatah Tanzim. The group was led by Naif Abu Sharach until his death. Annan served as an arms dealer and supplier. During an attempt to arrest him tonight, Annan was killed after an exchange of fire with the IDF while he was found in a hiding place along with weapons and ammunition. Annan was included in an agreement in which wanted terror suspects were granted amnesty in exchange for a cease and desist in all terror involvement.