Why aren’t the perpetrators of the Oct. 7 attack designated as terrorist organizations? 

On October 7, a horrific act of terror claimed the lives of 1,200 people in southern Israel and took over 240 others hostage in the Gaza Strip.Among those killed were at least 32 Americanand several others are still held prisoners of war in gaza.

The main terrorist organization that led the massacre was Hamas, but six other Iranian-backed terrorist organizations took part in a massacre In the same way. Some of these groups have not yet been designated, even though they have American blood in their veins. Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) We are afforded an unacceptable level of operational freedom by the U.S. State Department.

This needs to be fixed immediately. The FTO designation not only ensures that these groups, their members, and their allies face the most devastating and wide-ranging sanctions possible, but also ensures that the United States will not only identify those responsible for the October terrorist attacks. It will also serve as a strong declaration that they will firmly uphold their resolve. 7 cannot escape justice.

Among the groups involved in this horrific act and already classified as FTO are Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades. As a result, three organizations were excluded from the list: the People’s Resistance Committee, the Palestinian Mujahideen Movement, and the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP).

All three groups clearly meet the following conditions: Criteria for FTO designationnamely, section 212(a)(3)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1988 and 1989 and section 140(d)(2) of the Foreign Relations Powers Act.

In fact, some of these organizations include the Committee of Popular Resistance; third largest Gaza terrorist group. One of his notable attacks by this group occurred in 2003. detonated a 200 pound bomb Near the convoy that killed three American security guards and injured a US diplomat in Gaza. On many occasions, the organization’s spokesperson said, explicitly recognized that it receives financial and military support From Tehran and Hezbollah.

Another group, the Marxist DFLP, is notorious for: 1974 Maalot MassacreThere, more than 20 Israeli schoolchildren and teachers were brutally murdered. Philip Smith wrote in West Point magazine: counterterrorism center, DFLP has been deepening ties with Iran and its proxies since the early 2010s. DFLP said he was designated an FTO in 1997, but removed in 1999 “Mainly because there was no terrorist activity.” Given its involvement in the October 7 massacre, it is clear that the DFLP once again meets the criteria for designation.

lastly, Palestinian mujahideen movementwas founded in 2006 as a splinter group of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades and has demonstrated its active participation in the October 7 massacre through videos on its Telegram channel. Like other organizations on this list, the Mujahideen movement also expresses gratitude and loyalty to the Iranian regime. For example, in 2022, Secretary-General Asad Abu Sharia said: said “The relationship with Hezbollah and Iran, especially in terms of logistics and military support, is unique. If you look at the Arab and Islamic countries, there are countries that are sponsoring resistance programs in Palestine and are aiming for the military liberation of Jerusalem. Is there anything other than the Islamic Republic? There is none.”

The FTO designation would allow victims of the October 7 attacks and their families to claim civil damages for material support provided to groups involved in the massacre. Additionally, it would enforce strict immigration measures against members of these groups. This could prevent them from entering the United States and lead to the deportation of those already there. Although, DFLP and Palestinian mujahideen movement They have already been labeled by the Treasury Department as Specially Designated Global Terrorists who primarily target the financial aspects of terrorism; The above result It is essential to America’s efforts to combat terrorism.

The time has come for the State Department to designate each and every perpetrator of the October 7th massacre as a foreign terrorist organization. The American people, especially the families of the victims, must be held accountable and given justice for the tremendous loss of life they suffered on that fateful day.

Eitan Fischberger is an international relations and Middle East analyst. His work has appeared in City Journal, National Review, Tablet Magazine, and more.look for him @EFischberger