Azzam Tamimi is a Palestinian academic and political activist who has British citizenship but who was born in Hebron and whose family lived subsequently in Kuwait.

He is currently the director of Institute of Islamic Political Thought in London and appears regularly on al-Jazeera, Press TV and other Arabic and English language television stations, and frequently publishes controversial opinion pieces in the Guardian. Dr. Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradhawi who in July 2003 spoke in favor of suicide terror attacks in the Stockholm Mosque at the 11th Convention of the European Council for Fatwa and Research sits on the board of advisors of the Institute of Islamic Political Thought.

Described as the “Hamas special envoy” by the Malaysian news service, Tamimi is an unashamed supporter of Hamas and vociferously supports Hamas terrorism.

In this clip and here on ‘Comment is Free’, he shows himself to be patently incapable of accepting objective reality, when he claims that the UK terror plot in August 2006 during which Islamists planned to blow up airliners in mid-air was a hoax. This reversion to victimhood of the terrorist supporter is a standard pre-requisite of this type of Islamist.

Tamimi is arguably best known however for his nickname – “I would if I could…” in relation to searching questions from Tim Sebastian on “Hardtalk” on the BBC on November 2, 2004 as to whether Tamimi himself would consider becoming a suicide bomber.  An excerpt from the interview follows:

“…. TIM SEBASTIAN:  And meanwhile you advocate the suicide bombing.  You said on an internet chat forum early in 2003: ‘For us Moslems martyrdom is not the end of things but the beginning of the most wonderful of things’.

If it’s so wonderful to go and blow yourself up in a public place in Israel why don’t you do it?

DR AZZAM AL-TAMIMI:    Martyrdom is not necessarily suicide bombings as you call then.  Martyrdom is …

TIM SEBASTIAN:   No, please answer my question.  It was a serious question.

DR AZZAM AL-TAMIMI:   I’m trying to answer it …

TIM SEBASTIAN:  Why don’t you do it?

DR AZZAM AL-TAMIMI:  I’m trying to answer it because this is a concept.  Unless it is explained, how can you answer it?  Because martyrdom means giving / sacrificing yourself for a noble cause.  Now these bombings, the human bombs …

TIM SEBASTIAN:  Are you prepared to do this or not?

DR AZZAM AL-TAMIMI:   I am prepared, of course.

TIM SEBASTIAN:   You would [go] and blow yourself up?

DR AZZAM AL-TAMIMI:   No.  I’m trying to explain to you …

TIM SEBASTIAN:    Ah – so it’s okay.  So that’s just for the poor and the disillusioned to go and blow themselves up?  You would not be prepared to do it …

DR AZZAM AL-TAMIMI:   Most of the …

TIM SEBASTIAN:   … you advocate other people to do it?

DR AZZAM AL-TAMIMI:  Unless you give me a chance to explain …

TIM SEBASTIAN:    Please … Please …

DR AZZAM AL-TAMIMI:   Not a single person of those who bomb themselves, bomb themselves because they are desperate or poor.  It doesn’t happen because of this.  They do it because they want to sacrifice themselves for a cause after all avenues have been closed before them.  If the Palestinians today are given F16s and Apache helicopters …

TIM SEBASTIAN:    No – please come back to my question.  Please come back to my question.  Why if it is so glorious and honourable to do this, why don’t you do it?

DR AZZAM AL-TAMIMI:   I would do it …

TIM SEBASTIAN:   When?

DR AZZAM AL-TAMIMI:   If I have the opportunity I would do it …

TIM SEBASTIAN:   When are you going to do it?

DR AZZAM AL-TAMIMI:   When?  If I can go to Palestine and sacrifice myself I would do it.  Why not?

TIM SEBASTIAN:   So what’s stopping you?

DR AZZAM AL-TAMIMI:  I cannot go to Palestine.  I cannot go to Palestine.

TIM SEBASTIAN:   You simply can’t get in?

DR AZZAM AL-TAMIMI:  No, I cannot get in.

TIM SEBASTIAN:   Why not?

DR AZZAM AL-TAMIMI:   I cannot get in because I am not counted as a Pales[tinian].  When my home town was occupied I was outside Palestine and I just wasn’t counted.  I’m not considered by the Palestinians as a legitimate Palestinian / by the Israelis as a legitimate Palestinian.  So as much as they don’t recognise me I don’t recognise them.

TIM SEBASTIAN:  So this is the reason – the only thing that is holding you back from strapping on a suicide belt is the fact that you can’t get back to the Palestinian territories?

DR AZZAM AL-TAMIMI:    You see sacrificing myself for Palestine is a noble cause.  It is the straight way to pleasing my God and I would do it if I had the opportunity…..”

(Note: most of the suicide bombers come from outside Israel and are smuggled in.  It is left to the reader to decide what really prevents Tamimi from putting his money where his mouth is, so to speak as regards volunteering to be a suicide shahid).

Below is a selection of further statements made by Azzam Tamimi “in his own words”:

“Once you recognise Israel, you say to the world that the rape of my country and my people is acceptable,” Mr Tamimi said. “It is a crime against humanity to recognise Israel’s right to exist because that would legitimise the crimes against humanity Israel has committed.”

Had Hamas agreed to meet the conditions laid down by the international community, he said, “they would no longer have my support”. Violence in Gaza a ‘victory’ for Palestinians by Mary Fitzgerald, Irish Times April 13, 2009

“Israeli lecturer Yossi Mekelberg: Maybe we should stop talking about history from yesterday or 60 years ago. Let’s talk about history from tomorrow. Let’s talk about history… I know it sounds like an oxymoron, but let’s talk about history…

‘Azzam Al-Tamimi: What about justice? Do you ever recognize justice? What about my land? What about my home?

Yossi Mekelberg: We need justice for everyone, and I will tell you where…

‘Azzam Al-Tamimi: Justice? You go back to Germany. That’s justice. You turn Germany into your state, not Palestine. Why should Palestine be a Jewish state? Why?

Yossi Mekelberg: You were born in Hebron and I was born in Tel Aviv. I was born in Israel the same way that you were born in Palestine.

‘Azzam Al-Tamimi: No, not the same way. Where did your father come from?

Yossi Mekelberg: You can go back in history…

‘Azzam Al-Tamimi: And how did he come to Palestine? How did he dispossess my people? He turned us into refugees.

Yossi Mekelberg: Let me add a constructive suggestion. Instead of me questioning your right for Palestine, and you questioning my right for Israel, let’s both of us recognize that we have some right on some of it.

‘Azzam Al-Tamimi: Never! I will never recognize that you have a right on a land stolen from my people.

Yossi Mekelberg: So you perpetuate the injustice, you perpetuate the violence.

‘Azzam Al-Tamimi: That’s what the Zionists are doing, not us.

Yossi Mekelberg: You perpetuate the lack of…

‘Azzam Al-Tamimi: We are freedom fighters, fighting for our rights.

Yossi Mekelberg: And you won’t find a solution, and that’s the tragedy.” Excerpts from interview of debate that aired on Press TV on January 14, 2008

Q: As an American, I appreciate why a native American might refuse to recognize the “right” of the United States to exist, given how Europeans who settled here carried out a long campaign of ethnic cleansing. But on a secondary level, a native American might now accept the U.S. “right ” to exist on the hasi.s on its having accorded equal rights to all its citizens. Could Palestinian Arabs similarly “recognize” Israel on this secondary level if Israel transformed itself from a “democracy” with apartheid overtones into an actual democracy that accorded equal rights to non-Jews as well as Jews? Some senior Hamas leaders have, for example, ohliquely suggested to me that, under certain circumstances, Muslims could welcome a guaranteed national home for Jews in Palestine – as opposed to a so-called Jewish state that discriminated against its native Arab inhabitants according to the notion that it existed under the “protection” of Islam. Ambiguous as such a formula might he, it could provide the kind of constructive ambiguity on which to build a peace.

TAMIMI: I’m not sure there is much use in making theoretical assumptions. Israel cannot and will not ever become a democracy for all. It it did, it would cease to exist. Unlike the United States, Israel is a state for the Jews. It is true that European immigrants persecuted, oppressed and obliterated many of the [North American] natives, hut the United States was the land of opportunity lor any immigrant for much of its history. Had Israel given the Palestinians an indication that it would be prepared to treat them as equal human beings, perhaps the conflict might have been resolved a long time ago. 1, among many Palestinians, have advocated a South African solution to the conflict whereby Zionism, which is a racist ideology, is dissolved just like apartheid was, and all people within mandatory Palestine become equal citi/ens. The unilateralism of Sharon and now Olmert is aimed at avoiding such a prospect. Total separation from the Palestinians is intended to preserve the exclusivity of the State of Israel as a state for the Jews. Excerpt from interview with Roger Gaess in an exchange of email March 7-29, 2006

“As far as Hamas is concerned – and that is the position of the majority of Palestinians inside as well as outside Palestine – Israel has been built on land stolen from the Palestinian people. The creation of the state was a solution to a European problem and the Palestinians are under no obligation to be the scapegoats for Europe’s failure to recognise the Jews as human beings entitled to inalienable rights. Hamas, like all Palestinians, refuses to be made to pay for the criminals who perpetrated the Holocaust.” Hamas will make a deal The Guardian January 30, 2006

John Ware: Dr Tamimi has condemned the London bombings.
But he supports suicide bombings in Israel and the resistance in Iraq.

Dr Azzam Tamimi: Nobody wages a war against Allah and wins. Nobody. They are going to lose. They are going to lose Allah Akhbar; Allah Akhbar; Allah Akhba.

Gavin Esler: You know innocent lives are taken among the Palestinians and also among the Israelis. Isn’t that plain wrong in London, it’s wrong in Madrid, it’s wrong anywhere. Azzam Tamimi: It’s wrong in London, it’s wrong in Madrid. Palestine is a completely different situation because the Palestinians are reacting to Israeli oppression.”

Mehboob Kantharia: I was abhorred by his [Tamimi’s] statement, I mean I couldn’t believe that here was a man who was leading a so-called credible organisation known as the Muslim Association of Britain sending out a clear message to not just the young Muslims of this country but every other young person who have some radical ideas that it was okay to become a suicide bomber, to correct an injustice somewhere else in the world. I mean just to use your body.. you know.. as a bomb to go and kill your fellow human beings.

John Ware: So when you said for example: ‘For us Muslims, martyrdom is not the end of things but the beginning of the most wonderful of things.’ That’s more than explanation, that’s glorification, isn’t it. Glorification?

Dr Azzam Tamimi: Martyrdom is an Islamic concept. You cannot rule it out of Islam. If people abuse it, or use it in the wrong place, or kill innocent people and call it martyrdom, that’s something else. But martyrdom is definitely an Islamic concept.

John Ware: ‘The blood of martyrs provides nourishment and sustenance for those who continue this struggle.’ That’s more than explanation, isn’t it, that’s glorification – isn’t it?

Dr Azzam Tamimi: Well if you.. if you occupy other people’s lands, people have to..

John Ware: No, I’m sorry, just answer the question. You said all you do is explain, you don’t glorify it, and I’m saying that what you’ve said goes further than that, I think it does glorify.

Dr Azzam Tamimi: So what?

John Ware: Well does it or doesn’t it?

Dr Azzam Tamimi: It has to be attached to a context. What are we talking about? About the concept of martyrdom in general which means offering yourself for the sake of defending your homeland, for the sake of defending your community, then that has to be glorified of course.

John Ware: You said that martyrdom in Israel is quotes: “divine bliss”. That’s glorifying, that is glorifying the tactics in another country irrespective of the rights and wrongs of the Israeli government, that is glorifying a terrorist tactic, the same tactic that was used in London. You Mr Tamimi are an apologist for terrorism, aren’t you?

Dr Azzam Tamimi: If you want to consider me so that’s up to you.” Excerpts from a transcript of “A question of Leadership” first broadcast August 21, 2005 on BBC One.

“Question

What do you think the future would be after assassination of the late Muqadma?

Answer [Tamimi]
He was not the first nor will he be the last. For us Muslims martyrdom is not the end of things but the beginning of the most wonderful of things. In the next life one is in an everlasting bliss while in this life those after him continue to receive inspiration from him. No noble cause dies because of the loss of martyrs that offer their lives for it. The blood of martyrs provides nourishment and sustenance for those who continue the struggle. The cause will always be stronger when more sacrifices are offered. This is what the Israelis do not understand and will probably never understand.

Question
I have been wondering, wouldn’t it be better for the Palestinians to use other more effective means of defense other than carrying out Martyrdom opperations? Secondly, the situation in Palestine seem to be getting worse lately esp. after all media coverage have moved towards the Iraq issue. Do you think the sitaution will change for the better?

Answer [Tamimi]
Such as what? What do you suggest? When the Israelis are able to hit from the air (F16′s or Apaches), from the sea or from a distance on the ground; and when they are able to utilize the best technology afforded to them by the U.S. and Europe, what can the Palestinians do but turn themselves into bombs?

Had the Palestinians had the same weapons and the same technology, of course they would not have resorted to what they are now doing. They might have stood a chance of staying alive.

You are right, the situation has been deteriorating and the world is preoccupied with Iraq. When it is likely to get better? Only Allah knows. But it will not get better until the Israelis are forced (for nothing else will convince them) to withdraw and to stop persecuting the Palestinians. The sacrifices made by the Palestinians are the only guarantee for this to happen.” Excerpts from question and answer session entitled “The Future of Intifada: Did Military Action Have Positive/Negative Impact on the Palestinian Cause?” with Azzam Tamimi on Islamonline.net on March 11, 2003

“It does not help the Palestinians or their cause to propose a final solution. What really matters is to convince the world of the sinister nature of Zionism and of the right of the Palestinians to resist. How it will all end depends on the generation that will witness the end and on the circumstances in which the end is reached. The recent “Justice for Palestine” conference in Johannesburg showed beyond doubt that an increasing number of politicians and journalists have come to the conclusion that Zionism, by its very nature, is unviable in the long term.?

“Some of those who professed such an opinion had, for a long time, been supporters of a two-state solution. They now affirm that they had been deluded but have now been disillusioned about the true nature of Israel, a Zionist, racist, and fascist State. It is equally inadvisable to speak of a one-state solution, even a Palestinian state solution. What the discourse should focus on is that occupation must end and that Zionism is evil and should, just as apartheid was, be dismantled…” Winning the Battle of Arguments Palestine Times, October 2002

“The privileges enjoyed by Jews in Israel are denied to non-Jews and the law applied to Palestinians is that of occupation. Palestinian lives, properties and dignities are of a much lower value than those of their oppressors. But even among Jews themselves, racism is rampant. Jews of Ashkenazi descent are first class citizens, followed by those of Sephardic descent, then by those whose skin colour is brown or black. The scandal of ‘black blood’ is just one of many examples of the endemic racism.” The forbidden fruit of Middle East democracy The Guardian January 5, 2003

“Armed resistance is not an aberration from the norm. The Oslo agreement between the PLO and Israel is the aberration.”

Hamas, he concluded, “is a constant reminder to the Palestinian people that the Zionist project is doomed. It’s a large—but cowardly—endeavor. The entire theft of a nation was a cowardly undertaking. What Jew can be proud of it? Already,” he adds, “we are witnessing the beginning of the end of the Zionist project.” Palestinian Islamist Azzam Tamimi Defines Hamas, PLO Differences and Calls for Dialogue With Both by Grace Halsell, Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, December 1998, pages 23-24

Below is a selection of Azzam Tamimi’s statements in ‘Comment is Free’ “in his own words”.

“In exchange for captured Israeli soldier Gilead Shalit, Hamas is asking for the release of 1,000 of its captive men, plus all the women and children, and the parliamentarians and ministers kidnapped in the aftermath of Shalit’s capture. With more than 11,000 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli detention, Hamas is not asking for much.” End the siege of Gaza November 21, 2008

“The meeting turned into an opportunity to express solidarity with Gaza and reaffirm what Hamas and its allies describe as the fixed or unalterable principles: Palestine is from the Mediterranean to the Jordan River, Israel is an illegitimate colonial entity and resistance is the only means of regaining Palestinian rights.” Blessing in disguise for Hamas January 30, 2008

“There is only one way out of the current predicament and that is to abandon the policy of turning the PNA into another Lahad entity and seek an understanding with Hamas. The movement should be talked to without preconditions.” Hamas is here to stay December 12, 2007

“Hamas has gained the trust of the Palestinians principally because it refuses to extinguish the hope that one day Zionist colonisation of Palestine will be no more.” This is no basis for talks November 5, 2007

“In a post-Israel era Jews will still be living in Palestine and other regions of the Muslim world just as many Jews lived with Muslims before they were intimidated by Zionism to leave their ancient dwellings in Iraq, Yemen, Egypt, Morocco and many other places to provide this Zionist apartheid entity with a badly-needed population.” Let us coexist February 10, 2007

“The demands of the captors are legitimate. This soldier is a prisoner of war, and so are the 10,000 Palestinians held captive by Israel. An exchange seems fair and sensible. The captors are only asking for the women and the children, whom Israel has no right to keep in its custody anyway. Had Israel truly sought an end to its occupation of the Gaza Strip, it should have given its people back their sons and daughters when it withdrew its troops from there.” The weapon of last resort June 29, 2006

“These wishful thinkers know real well that under a Hamas-led government things will only get better not worse. Known for an unblemished record of accountability, transparency and efficiency, Hamas priority will be to put the Palestinian house in order.” Forcing failure on Hamas will backfire March 20, 2006