Middle East Information Resource
Political Entities - Palestine Islamic Jihad
Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ) originated among militant Palestinians in the Gaza Strip during the 1970`s. It is committed to the creation of an Islamic Palestinian state and the destruction of Israel through holy war. Itlso opposes moderate Arab governments that it believes have been tainted by Western secularism. The organization is also known by the following names: PIJ-Shaqaqi Faction, PIJ-Shallah Faction, Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), Islamic Jihad of Palestine, Islamic Jihad in Palestine, and the Abu Ghunaym Squad of the Hizballah Bayt Al-Maqdis.
Because of its strong support for Israel, the United States has been identified as an enemy of the PIJ, but the group has not specifically conducted attacks against US interests in the past. In July 2000, however, publicly threatened to attack US interests if the US Embassy is moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
PIJ activists have conducted many attacks including large-scale suicide bombings against Israeli civilian and military targets. The group increased its operational activity in 2001 during the Intifadah, claiming numerous attacks against Israeli interests. The group has not targeted US interests and continues to confine its attacks to Israelis inside Israel and the territories. Palestinian Islamic Jihad`s theatre of operations is primarily Israel, the West Bank and Gaza Strip, but sometimes includes other parts of the Middle East, including Lebanon and Syria, where the leadership is based. It receives financial assistance from Iran and limited logistic support from Syria.