Hamas: Killing Jews is worship of Allah
by Itamar Marcus and Nan Jacques Zilberdik
During the eight-day military conflict between Hamas and Israel, Hamas broadcast various ideological messages on its official Al-Aqsa TV station. One recurring message called for the killing of Jews, which Hamas defined as an Islamic act, no less than worship of Allah. During one music video, these words were shown on the poster (above) on the screen:
"Killing Jews is worship that draws us close to Allah"
The following are additional lyrics which boasted of "terrifying the Jews" and glorified Hamas' military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades:
"[Oh] lovers of the trigger:
Killing the occupiers [Israelis] is worship that Allah made into law...
Arabic text on sign: 'Killing Jews is worship that draws us close to Allah'
Arise, oh determined men. The color of [the Martyr's] blood protects the land.
Oh masked one wearing a keffiyeh (i.e., Arab head scarf), terrifying the Jews... call out in Zionism's face: 'Muhammad's army has begun to return.'"
Another song on Hamas TV also bragged about killing Jews in a series of short phrases highlighting the achievements of Hamas' Al-Qassam Brigades:
"Brigades - we kidnap soldiers, Brigades - we kill Jews"
While the song was broadcast in Arabic, Hebrew words appeared on the screen addressing Israelis, while pictures of Israelis being attacked and of an Israeli funeral were shown:
"Your body parts are scattered everywhere"
"The cemeteries await you"
This song also had an Islamic aspect as it called for liberating the land for Islam:
Through training and preparations, you roar, oh lion of Qassam [Brigades]
It's in your hands to get [our] country back
and then we will raise the banner of Islam."
Even the ceasefire and the cessation of hostilities did not end the Hamas hate promotion. The day after Hamas signed a ceasefire agreement with Israel, the same Islamic ideology was broadcast in a different music video:
While showing footage of explosions and Hamas fighters firing rockets, this song called to "destroy" Israel - "the house of absolute evil" and "the enemies of humanity."
Click to view
Hamas calling to kill Jews is not new. Palestinian Media Watch has documented that both Hamas and the PA in the past have called for killing Jews.
PMW has also documented that both Hamas and the PA describe theconflict with Israel in religious terms as a war for Allah and not merely a territorial conflict.
The following are longer excerpts of the broadcasts on Hamas' Al-Aqsa TV:
Oh pride of Salah Shahada, oh wisdom of Immad [Aqel]
(i.e., Hamas leaders killed by Israel)
[Oh] the explosives of [Yahya] Ayyash (i.e., Hamas bomb maker killed by Israel),
Martyrdom,
[Oh] lovers of the trigger:
Killing the occupiers [Israelis] is worship that Allah made into law...
Arabic text on sign:
'Killing Jews is worship that draws us close to Allah'
Arise, oh determined men. The color of [the Martyr's] blood protects the land.
Oh masked one wearing a keffiyeh (i.e., Arab head scarf), terrifying the Jews...
call out in Zionism's face: 'Muhammad's army has begun to return.'"
"We are [Hamas' Al-Qassam] Brigades
Brigades - we kidnap soldiers
Brigades - we kill Jews
Brigades - we watch the borders
Brigades - we ride at night
Brigades - on horseback
Brigades - we are not afraid of death
Brigades - gear up your weapon
Gear up, gear up
Prepare the force
Prepare, prepare
Prepare the force and get ready
Destroy the usurper's dens and set fire to the oppressors
Through training and preparations, you roar, oh lion of Qassam
It's in your hands to get [our] country back and then we will raise the banner of Islam."
In addition to the song in Arabic, Hebrew words appeared on screen addressing Israelis as pictures of Israelis being attacked and of a funeral were shown:
"Your body parts are scattered everywhere"
"The cemeteries await you"
Hamas music video broadcast the day after Hamas and Israel signed a ceasefire agreement:
"Destroy the throne of Zion,
the house of absolute evil...
Raise the banner of victory
Be like the fire of a volcano...
Repeat in the name
of your Jihad: Death to Israel! ...
With blood and fire,
resist until freedom
Defeat the soldiers of aggression,
the enemies of humanity."
[Al-Aqsa TV (Hamas), Nov. 22, 2012]