CNN and other naive Western media have given Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) the benefit of the doubt, somehow believing that the fall of al-Assad meant that the jihadist, Turkish-supporting opposition was a good alternative for Syria. HTS is a fully sharia-supporting, jihadist organization.
Jihadists target Israel and Jews, as well as Christians and other religious minorities. Given the HTS fatwa against Israel (which it justifies with Qur’anic texts), how will proponents of the group justify supporting HTS as a legitimate government?
“Fatwa By Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) Encourages West Bank Palestinians To Continue Jihad Against Israel,” MEMRI, December 16, 2024:
On December 8, 2024, a Telegram channel which publishes fatwas issued by the General Administration for Shari’a Guidance, affiliated with Syrian jihadi group Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), posted a fatwa in response to a Palestinian questioner from the West Bank.[1]
The fatwa, posted on the day the Military Operations Command comprising HTS and other jihadi and militant factions captured Damascus and toppled the Assad regime, begins with the query: “We consider what is happening in Syria to be good and a great conquest. What is our duty regarding what is taking place in Syria?”
The response opens with greetings to “the people of Bayt Al-Maqdis [Jerusalem] and its environs,” adding: “May Allah reward you with good for the ribat [guarding at the frontlines of jihad] you carry out. We ask Allah to assist you in confronting your enemy and bestow upon you the blessings of conquest, victory, and empowerment.”
Asserting that the Palestinian questioner’s “sincere feelings” are a fulfillment of Quranic verses declaring Muslims “a single ummah [nation]” and allies of one another, the responder thanks Allah for making the believers “brothers who love and support one another” through Islam.
With respect to the duty of West Bank Palestinians concerning events in Syria, the fatwa urges them to “stand at the front where you are stationed.” Quoting the Quranic verse (9:123) “O believers! Fight the unbelievers near you,” the responder notes that 10th-century exegete Al-Tabari interpreted the verse as: “Fight the unbelievers nearest to you…
࿗Infidel࿘ says
Israel should put Jolani and HTS on notice, and tell them that another such statement by them inciting jihad against Israel, be it either in Judea/Samaria or Gaza, and Israel will act upon requests by the Druze villages that have asked Israel to annex it. Also, that every such move by HTS will provoke Israel to claim even more territory, until they lose Damascus itself to Israel
somehistory says
If Mr. Netanyahu has time to read comments here, perhaps he will do just that.
mozlums boast and threaten and when these are not addressed, they go on to the violence.
As Barney Fife liked to say, “Nip it. Nip it in the bud”
James Lincoln says
Sorry, somehistory.
I couldn’t resist…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xosBM5VzIZI
LibertyORdeath says
Paging Mr. Jolani
࿗Infidel࿘ says
Good one 😈
James Hoagland says
It is Islam so the aim, of course, is Jerusalem. Of course Israel should set up a Druze enclave to protect the Golan. Syria is a colonial concoction never really any type of a cohesive national entity. Emirate type of social-political organization seems to be the best fir for these people.
James Hoagland says
not fir but fit. excuse me!