Title: Former FBI Agent Discusses Hamas' Infiltration Tactics

Hamas has spent over two decades establishing a presence on North American college campuses and in the media. The group's goal is to influence public opinion and garner support for its activities. Lara Burns, a retired FBI agent and current head of terrorism research at George Washington University, asserts that Hamas has successfully executed this strategy.

In a recent interview, Burns elaborated on the connections between Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood, a global Islamist organization. She explained that the Brotherhood aims to enforce a strict interpretation of Islamic law and has utilized Hamas as its military branch to challenge the secular Palestine Liberation Organization and oppose Israel.

The discussion also touched on Musa Abu Marzouk, who obtained U.S. citizenship through a student visa. Under his leadership, Hamas developed a complex infrastructure in the United States. This included the Holy Land Foundation for fundraising, the Islamic Association for Palestine for propaganda, and the United Association for Studies and Research as a political think tank. These organizations were established to further Hamas's objectives of radicalization, narrative control, and violence against Israel.

Burns highlighted a significant meeting in Philadelphia in 1993, which was recorded through wiretaps and later referenced in the U.S. v. Holy Land Foundation trial. During this meeting, Hamas leaders discussed strategies to undermine the Oslo Accords and expand their influence in media, universities, and politics. They aimed to disguise their true intentions of destroying Israel by presenting their agenda as one of charity and human rights.

Burns pointed out the difficulties in prosecuting such organizations due to their complex deceptions, constitutional protections, and steadfast commitment to their cause. She emphasized that combating their influence requires extensive public education to reveal their true motives and prevent the manipulation of well-meaning individuals, especially on college campuses.