Database: Identifiers of Designated Islamic Terrorist Organizations

Palestinian Islamic Jihad

Designated as terrorist by: Australia, Canada, European Union, United Kingdom, United States

Base of operations: Palestinian Territories

Background: National Counterterrorism Center
Background: Council on Foreign Relations

Founded by Abd al-Aziz Awda and Fathi Shaqaqi in the late 1970s after splitting from Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood, which they deemed too moderate, Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), also known as the Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine, is devoted to opposing the state of Israel and aims to create an Islamic regime in "all of historic Palestine," according to a 2006 U.S. State Department report. Al-Quds Brigades is its "armed wing." PIJ does not participate in politics, unlike similar separatist groups, and rejects a two-state solution, seeing violence as the only means of attaining a Palestinian state. PIJ agents have attacked by way of suicide bombings against civilian and military targets inside Israeli territory, though today it largely fires rockets from Gaza. Iran is a main supporter and funder of PIJ. Syria has been accused of providing a safe haven for the terrorist group by permitting them to maintain a headquarters in Damascus. PIJ is a smaller rival of Hamas and often finds itself vying for the support of similar Palestinian populations. Unlike Hamas, PIJ provides no social services and refuses to take part in any diplomatic engagements. In 2003, the U.S. indicted eight senior members of the group, including then-University of South Florida professor Sami al-Arian, who subsequently pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to aid PIJ.

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