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| Jihad at LAX
by John M. Curtis Copyright July 6, 2002
Terrorism "certainly can't be ruled out," said` FBI spokesman Matt McLaughlin, though authorities still sought additional clues, such as a bumper sticker, saying "Read the Koran," taped over Hadayet's mail slot at his Irvine apartment. "Terrorism," according to the FBI's official 1999 publication, involves "unlawful use of force and violence against person or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof in furtherance of political and social objectives." Since Sept. 11, America's war on terrorism kept domestic law enforcement on their toes, with known terrorist groups threatening U.S. interests. Stepped up surveillance and detentions, including suspected 9/11 20th terrorist Zacarias Moussoui, has led U.S. authorities to broaden the definition of terrorism. Prior to July 4, the FBI shared numerous warnings about possible terrorist attacks. Hadayet's July 4 attack may represent an "isolated incident," but doesn't rule out terrorism. Terrorism doesn't only require financing or participation in subversive groups. Even experts get their wires crossed when it comes to terrorism. "For the Israelis to immediately see this as an act of terrorism is understandable . . . If you have a war mentality, then all acts are seen as part of the war," said terrorism expert Brian Jenkins, an advisor to Rand Corporation. But before dismissing the LAX incident, experts need to consider Bin Laden's global call to take up Jihad against the U.S. and Israel. It's not necessary to tie Hadayet to Al Qaeda or any other known terrorist group. Blaming Hadayet's rampage on depression or suicide ignores radical Islam's call to Jihad. Had Hadayet's detonated a suicide belt, few people would question whether his homicidal behavior was terrorism. "Part of what terrorism has become is inspiring people to take matters into their own hands and act on their rage," said Bruce Hoffman, author of the 1998 book "Inside Terrorism," reinforcing the idea that Bin Laden's Jihad invites Muslims all over the planet to attack the "infidels." Targeting El Al, by itself, makes a strong case for terrorism, whether or not it's financed by known terror organizations. As Hoffman suggests, inspiring true believers to act out their violence, whether it's in a mosque or elsewhere, resonates with common sense definitions of terrorism. Calling the LAX incident an "isolated episode" reassures the chamber of commerce, but doesn't squarely confront the issue of terrorism. With more terrorism promised by high ranking government officials—including Vice President Dick Cheney—Hadayet's July 4 episode fits the terrorist profile. "If this were Al Qaeda, they are going to go after an American airline, where the security isn't as tight, because they don't like America any more than they like Israel," said an unnamed government official, failing to recognize that Jihadists are obligated to attack either U.S. or Israeli targets. More background on Hadayet should point toward terrorism, or at least to the fact that the 41-year-old Egyptian was taking part in his own Jihad against Israel and America. Many terrorists are indeed troubled, especially those induced into suicide bombings. Recruiting into death cults—political or otherwise—requires the kind of fanaticism where zealots are willing to sacrifice their lives. Even if Hadayet were a nut case, that wouldn't automatically rule out terrorism. Arming himself to the teeth, Hadayet was strangely reminiscent of Travis Bickle, the fictional character in Martin Scorsese's 1976 film "Taxi Driver." Though Bickle attacked a ruthless drug dealer, Hadayet moved against a coveted symbol of Israeli power, making a political statement on the most patriotic U.S. holiday. Wackos don't usually select specific targets, choose highly pragmatic weapons, and take pains to prepare extra magazines for rapid reloading. Choosing July 4, Hadayet purposefully sought maximum political mileage, getting as much publicity as possible. "This guy must have known he was going to create a world event," said Rabbi Marvin Hier, founder of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, a Holocaust and human rights organization. Before the U.S. broke off relations with the Yasser Arafat, the Palestinian Authority routinely referred to suicide bombers as "legitimate resistance" and "freedom fighters." Since 1996, Bin Laden and other leaders of radical Islam called for Jihad against America. Though Hadayet operated without direct financial support from Al Qaeda or other known terror organizations, it doesn't mean he wasn't launching his own Jihad against America. Targeting Israel's Airline on July 4 made a strong political statement following Sept. 11. No random act of violence would have taken Egyptian-born Hadayet from his Orange County abode to El Al's ticket counter. Whether this is the beginning of other terrorist acts on American soil is anyone's guess. "We have no information of any credible threats anywhere in the city of Los Angeles," said Mayor James Hahn, trying to reassure wary travelers and fearful residents. With Jihad already hitting America, it's difficult to make any promises. About the Author John M. Curtis is editor of OnlineColumnist.com and columnist for the Los Angeles Daily Journal. He directs a Los Angeles think tank specializing in corporate consulting and strategic communication. He's author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma. |
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ielding a 6-inch knife and two semiautomatic handguns with preloaded clips, 41-year-old Egyptian-born gunman Heshman Mohamed Hadayet, opened fired at the El Al ticket counter in Tom Bradley terminal of Los Angeles International Airport. When the melee ended, Hadayet killed two bystanders, wounded another, and stabbed an El Al security guard several times, before another security guard fatally shot the ballistic Egyptian. Officials hesitated to call the midday rampage "terrorism," looking for more benign descriptions including ethnic hatred, depression or suicide. Defying common sense, authorities indicated that Hadayet's act seemed like an "isolated incident," but didn't rule out terrorism. "It seems like a terrorist attack and looks like a terrorist attack," said Yuval Rotem, Israel's consul general in Los Angeles, citing similar attacks in European capitals, including Rome where 17 people were gunned down in 1985. While difficult to distinguish hate crimes from terrorism, Hadayet's rampage was unquestionably targeted at Israel's El Al Airlines.