Automating Palestinian Terror on Telegram
Summary
This document analyzes a Palestinian terror Telegram group, 'Military advice to Qassami Mujahid', which provides military-style, combat, and on-demand advice for committing terrorist attacks, often targeting Jews and Israelis. The group, linked to the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades (Hamas' military wing), uses bots to automate content delivery and provides instructional videos on creating weapons and carrying out attacks. The Simon Wiesenthal Center monitors such channels due to the lack of moderation and the potential for real-world violence.
Top Questions and Answers
Q: What is the 'Military advice to Qassami Mujahid' Telegram group?
A: It is a Palestinian terror Telegram group with close to 1800 subscribers that provides military-style, combat, and on-demand advice and lessons on committing terrorist attacks, often specifically targeting Jews and Israelis.
Q: Who are the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades?
A: They are the military wing of Hamas, an Iran-proxy group, and are globally designated as a terrorist entity.
Q: What kind of content does the Telegram group provide?
A: The group provides instructional videos and advice on how to make bombs, Molotov cocktails, grenades, and other incendiary devices. It also includes depictions of physical attacks against Jews and Israeli soldiers.
Q: How does the Telegram group use bots?
A: The group uses bots to automate content delivery, act as gatekeepers for membership, and provide on-demand actionable terror-related advice and instructions in Arabic.
Q: What is the Simon Wiesenthal Center's role in monitoring these channels?
A: The Simon Wiesenthal Center's Digital Terrorism and Hate Project monitors the social media activities of over 2000 Palestinian groups and entities, including this Telegram group, due to the lack of moderation and the potential for real-world violence.
Q: Is there evidence that the content of the channel is linked to real-world attacks?
A: Yes, the document states that recent real-time terrorist events appear to mimic the depictions found in these and other instructional video representations.
Q: Does the channel target specific groups?
A: Yes, the channel specifically targets Jews and Israelis, often providing instructions on how to attack them.
Q: What kind of instructional materials are available on the channel?
A: The channel provides instructional guides on how to make bombs, Molotov cocktails, grenades, incendiary napalm devices, inflammable mercury devices, and gunpowder preparation. It also includes videos depicting attacks.
Q: Is the content on the channel only in video format?
A: No, previous online instructional terrorist manuals are available in the format of text files as well.
Q: Why is the lack of moderation on Telegram a concern?
A: The lack of moderation on Telegram allows terrorist groups to freely disseminate violent content and instructions, potentially leading to real-world attacks. The Simon Wiesenthal Center monitors these channels to notify authorities and potential victims.