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Special Dispatch-Palestinian Authority/Jihad & Terrorism Studies Project
April 4, 2006
No. 1132

Iranian Government TV Airs Special on Palestinian Popular Resistance Committees: Resistance is a Religious Duty; We are Committed to the Weapons of the Martyrs; We Will Raise the Banner of Jihad

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The following are excerpts from a report on the training of the Palestinian Popular Resistance Committees (PRC), aired on the Iranian government TV channel Al-'Alam on March 9, 2006.

TO VIEW THIS CLIP, VISIT: http://www.memritv.org/search.asp?ACT=S9&P1=1084 .


PRC General Commander Jamal Abu Samhadana: "It was easy to unite the Palestinian men around the idea of fighting and resistance, after they lost faith in negotiations and negotiators. After seven years of negotiations, all we see is poverty and misery, and our cause has reached rock bottom. The Zionist enemy was determined to bring the Palestinian people to despair and frustration. Allah be praised, this Intifada has shaken off the dust of defeat, of illusions, negligence, and retreat from the shoulders of the young Palestinian men. All Palestinian groups unite their forces and capabilities to fight this Zionist enemy."

Reporter: "In this location, they are united by one goal, one sentiment, and one dream - victory or martyrdom. Here, the resistance fighters wear their special outfits, put on their bulletproof vests, and hold their weapons. They count their bullets and get ready for battle."

PRC Regional Commander 'Amar Qarmut: "The main reason for joining the Popular Resistance Committees is the occupation of our homeland, the denial of the freedom and dignity of our people. The only way to oppose this occupation is by means of the gun and by fighting. This is a religious duty. As long as the occupation remains on Palestinian land, and denies the Palestinian people their dignity and honor, the resistance will continue, Allah willing. The withdrawal from Gaza is just one step towards liberation, not the liberation itself."

[...]

Reporter: "They were extremely happy. They completed the first storming simulation after lengthy training. They were elated with their victory over themselves, because they proved themselves to their commander, who, for long nights, trained them in how the Palestinian fighter becomes the master of his rifle."

Jamal Abu Samhadana: "In the name of Allah the Merciful, the Compassionate, blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad... I'm sorry, stop filming now."

Reporter: "Danger has suddenly emerged. A signal was given that there were planes in the air, so the filming was stopped, and we retraced our steps as fast as we could. The next day, the sun shone calmly and peacefully. We resumed filming with confidence in our hearts. The commander and his sons the resistance fighters, as he likes to call them, welcomed us wholeheartedly. A new day and new training. With high morale, these mujahideen emphasize that continuing the resistance means, for them, continuing to live."

[...]

Reporter: "What makes them leave behind their lives, their property, their sons, and their friends, and raise the banner of jihad, and take a path from which they return, in most cases, in shrouds of martyrdom?"

[...]

Jamal Abu Samhadana: "My message to the heroes of the Popular Resistance Committees and to all the heroes of the Palestinian people is that we must remain committed to the option of fighting and resistance. We must remain committed to the weapons of the martyrs who were killed on the soil of this homeland, in an effort to fulfill the goals of our people - freedom, liberation, and the return of the refugees, Allah willing. Do not give up your weapons, whatever the price may be. Continue to fight and to strike at your enemy wherever you can reach."

[...]

Reporter: "The sunrise has great significance for these fighters. It heralds the birth of a new day in their lives - a day for martyrdom, or perhaps for further training. Ultimately, it is a day for Palestine. This sunrise reminds them of a principle in which they believe - the sun of freedom rises only through the barrel of the rifle."


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