Posted by
Boris Tiraspolsky on Friday, October 12, 2007 1:31:42 AM
"The Holy Land Foundation case has refocused attention on the presence and activities of Hamas in the United States. That activity has focused on raising funds and engaging in propaganda activities, but are there any conditions under which Hamas could target Western interests? To be sure, Americans and citizens of many other countries have died in Hamas's indiscriminate suicide bombings. But what calculus might lead Hamas as a group, semi-independent Hamas cells, rogue Hamas cells, or Hamas operatives acting as "lone wolves" to actively target Western interests?" - Matthew Levitt
A book by Matthew Levitt
Could Hamas Target the West? 
By Matthew Levitt
Hamas founder Sheikh Ahmed Yasin
On 22 March 2004, Israeli security forces assassinated Hamas founder Sheikh Ahmed Yasin. His deputy and successor, Abdel Aziz al-Rantissi, issued a statement implying that Hamas would avenge Yasin's death with attacks on Israel -- and on the United States. "The war against Islam is the same war which is launched in Iraq," Rantissi proclaimed. "In Palestine also, there is a war against Islam. So, the Islamic nation should wake up and shake the land under the feet of those Zionists and the Americans who back them." Although Rantissi withdrew the threat the next day, the State Department immediately issued a travel advisory warning Americans of possible terrorist threats. The advisory warned: "In the aftermath of the killing of Hamas leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, a Hamas spokesman has threatened revenge against Israel and U.S. interests . . . all U.S. citizens [are urged] to depart Gaza as early as it is safe to do so. . . ."
Continued...