“Jihad of the Forest”: Are the fires on Israel’s Independence Day a Form of Terrorism?

In a recent interview with ChaiFM, Dr. Michael Barak, Senior Researcher at the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT), examines the deliberate use of arson as a tool of terrorism, particularly in light of the recent forest fires during Israel’s Memorial and Independence Day.

Dr. Barak explains that while arson attacks are not new in Israel, they have become a growing concern globally, with similar patterns seen in Australia and the U.S. Terror groups like al-Qaeda and ISIS actively encourage setting fires, a strategy they call the “jihad of the forest,” to damage economies, sow panic, and exhaust government resources. Manuals like Inspire magazine even provide detailed instructions, advising when and where to strike for maximum disruption.

He emphasizes that arson terrorism should be treated as seriously as rocket attacks or shootings. Dr. Barak stresses the need for stronger law enforcement measures, including long prison sentences and property confiscation.

👉 Listen to the full interview on ChaiFM: https://tinyurl.com/2dmued98