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The war between Israel and the terrorist organization Hamas has flared up again after the radical Islamists attacked locations in southern Israel. The conflict in the Middle East has global consequences. The threat of terrorism is increasing in Europe. Several countries have already raised alert levels, including Belgium, France and Austria.
Extremism researcher Peter Neumann (48) from King’s College London now warns not to underestimate the danger. The terror expert expects a new wave of jihadist terror in Europe.
This is what the terror expert recommends
“Just over a decade ago, the Syrian civil war led to an unprecedented jihadist mobilization – even here in Europe,” begins a long thread by the German political scientist on the social media platform of jihadist terrorism.” The current conflict between Israel and Hamas is not identical to the Syrian civil war, but there are similarities.
“Just like then, the conflict is conveyed via social media,” Neumann explains. And: Once again it is about a conflict in the Middle East. “But unlike Syria, this is not just a civil war or conflict between Muslims. For Islamists it is ‘the’ conflict in general: Jews against Muslims, the Holy Land, Jerusalem. “It couldn’t be clearer,” the expert makes clear.
Many who sympathize with Hamas “would probably prefer to fight on the ground,” but this time that is not possible. “Anyone who is currently becoming radicalized must look for their goals here. And these will probably be mainly related to Israel and the Jews,” the researcher adds.
His conclusion: “I fear that we are facing a new wave of jihadist terrorism in Europe. And that this could be even more dramatic than what we experienced in the mid-2010s.” The idea of individual terrorist perpetrators has now become so widespread among jihadists that there is no longer a need for terrorist networks. Neumann therefore recommends that politicians and security agencies in Europe “deal very quickly and intensively with the (re)emerging phenomenon.”
Football fans shot dead in Brussels
The Tunisian Abdesalem L.* (†45), who killed two Swedish football fans in the Belgian capital Brussels in October, serves as a warning example of the worrying development. One of the victims, Patrick L. (†60), lived in the canton of Bern. The long-time supporter of the Swedish national football team just wanted to watch the match between Belgium and Sweden. He was shot in cold blood.
The Public Prosecution Service could not rule out a link between the conflict in the Middle East and the crime. Before the crime, Abdesalem L. posted on Facebook about the war between Israel and Hamas and may have been radicalized online.
*Name known
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
