Publications

Over the last two years, the Islamic State organization has become one of the most dangerous elements in the Middle East. Its very existence, essence, and actions affect many nations throughout the world; its effect is most striking in the Middle East. This terrorist organization, flying the black flag as its official banner, represents an extreme branch of orthodox Sunni Islam, challenging all existing orders of governance and seeking to replace them with an Islamic regime that imitates the conduct and way of life typical of the seventh century. This branch of Islam is called Salafist jihadism, and is currently considered the most radical manifestation of Islamic fundamentalism. It is also thought to be the fastest-growing group within Islam, gathering supporters from all over the world. This essay seeks to shed light on Salafist jihadism in general and on its Israeli adherents in particular, and to examine the reverberations felt in Israel as a result of the rise of this new power in Iraq and Syria.