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Islamic Militancies and Disunity in the Middle East

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This chapter, written before 9/11, covers the way in which certain Islamist movements have certain things which differentiate them from some other Islamist movements, while attracting them to some others. Throughout the Middle East, the process was the same, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement had a different view to HAMAS on the role and context of Islamic Revolution, having more in common with the Algerian GIA and Egyptian New Jihad Movement. Conversely, the HAMAS view on Islamic Revolution had more in common with the Gama'a al-Islamiyya's standpoint than to other Palestinians in PIJ. Since this was written, the Egyptian New Jihad Movement merged with/took over Al-Qaida and the GIA went on to become the GSPC (Groupe Salafiste pour la Prédication et le Combat) and then AQIM (al Qaeda organisation in the Islamic Maghreb). The Gama'a al-Islamiyya chose a different path. This chapter is of use to anyone seeking to understand the differences between movements, their breeding grounds and their agendas.


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