Moreover, the violence Hamas is organizing will in no way be spontaneous. Its being supported by a number of Hamas charities that are buying influence with loans, food packages and construction projects.
One of the key Hamas charities, based in Istanbul, is called Kutad.
The association declares that “its role is to protect the Islamic historical heritage in Jerusalem and to be a cultural bridge between Turkey and Palestine and Jerusalem.” From its documents it appears that Kutad’s purpose is to promote the importance of Jerusalem in the international political arena, and to preserve the city’s historical, religious and cultural ties to the Ottoman Empire by raising international awareness, particularly in the international Arab world.
Hamas doesn’t normally frame its Jerusalem rhetoric by referencing the Ottoman Empire, but such references play well to the terror group’s Turkish hosts.
Kutad also finances construction projects in eastern Jerusalem, primarily homes and mosques. According to Kutad, by building homes in eastern Jerusalem, Muslims create what is called in Arabic, ribat, which literally means a “battle line,” but refers to a tangible claim on the land.
One eastern Jerusalem man identified only as M.H. is in charge of the home and mosque reconstruction projects. Israeli officials told the Tazpit Press Service they believe M.H. is the conduit for money transfers between Hamas in Turkey with eastern Jerusalem.
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