Tel Aviv April 30. 2003 Israel
The terrorist bombing that took place at Mike’s Place Tel Aviv pub on
April 30 leaving 3 Israelis dead and 60 injured.
No one questions that the bomb team consisted of two British Muslims, Asif
Muhamed Hanif, who blew himself up, and Omar Khan Sharif, who got away after
his bomb belt failed to detonate and never seen since. The gray area began
to creep in two weeks later in mid-May when certain Israeli security services
claimed that a badly disfigured body washed up by the Mediterranean was the
missing British bomber.
Both were linked to Hisballah.
Also known as Lebanese Hizballah, this group was formed in 1982 in response
to the Israeli invasion of Lebanon, this Lebanon-based radical Shi’a
group takes its ideological inspiration from the Iranian revolution and the
teachings of the late Ayatollah Khomeini. The Majlis al-Shura, or Consultative
Council, is the group’s highest governing body and is led by Secretary
General Hassan Nasrallah. Hizballah is dedicated to liberating Jerusalem and
eliminating Israel and has formally advocated ultimate establishment of Islamic
rule in Lebanon. Nonetheless, Hizballah has actively participated in Lebanon’s
political system since 1992. Hizballah is closely allied with, and often directed
by, Iran but has the capability and willingness to act alone. Although Hizballah
does not share the Syrian regime’s secular orientation, the group has
been a strong ally in helping Syria advance its political objectives in the
region.
