<http://www.rnw.nl/sites/all/themes/wereldomroep/images/logos/logo-default.p ng>
Published on Radio Netherlands Worldwide ( <http://www.rnw.nl> http://www.rnw.nl) _____ Geert Wilders recruits international network By Klaas den Tek Created 10 September 2010 15:42 image/jpeg icon <http://www.rnw.nl/sites/all/modules/contrib/filefield/icons/image-x-generic .png> teaser-wildersconnecties[1].jpg <http://cdn.radionetherlands.nl/data/files/images/lead/teaser-wildersconnect ies%5b1%5d.jpg> Dutch anti-Islam politician Geert Wilders international network is expanding. His New York protest speech against an Islamic cultural centre near Ground Zero this weekend is mainly targetted at his sympathisers. He needs foreign support and cash to finance his fight against Islam. He is also having to pay for lawyers to defend him against charges for inciting hatred in the Netherlands. Mr Wilders will be preaching to the converted in New York. He will address neo-conservative Americans who condemn Islam as a threat to both Israel and the West. Sympathisers who financially support his cause. In recent months, he has been busy trying to substantially expand this network of sympathisers. His International Freedom Alliance (IFA) is billed as fighting for freedom and against Islam. So who has already jumped on the Wilders bandwagon. The American connection One sure ally will definitely be in New York: Pamela Geller. The political activist lashes out at Islam on her blog. She has gained national fame through her campaign against the Islamic centre planned near Ground Zero. She is a vociferous champion of Mr Wilders, whom she invited specially to attend the New York rally. Theologian Robert Spencer set up the Stop Islamisation organisation with Ms Geller. He is a regular guest on the conservative TV station FoxNews. He has influence over Mr Wilders who tried to call him as a witness in his incitement to hatred trial. The application was turned down by the Dutch court. The wealthy, conservative David Horowitz describes Mr Wilders as an important player in the fight against Islam. Influential figures from the right, including the controversial Dutch politician, have spoken at his David Horowitz Freedom Centre. Mr Horowitz raises millions of dollars for his anti-Islam campaign. The Israeli connection Geert Wilders has close links with hardliners in Israel. He worked in a kibbutz in the West Bank when he was in secondary school. He views Israel as a buffer holding back the jihad. Arieh Eldad is one of Mr Wilders most important supporters. The former general leads the small extreme-right Hatikva party. Both men see the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as part of the fight against Islam. Mr Wilders says hes proud to count himself the Israeli politicians friend. Current Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman is also among Mr Wilders friends. His outspoken comments include suggesting a nuclear bomb should be dropped on Gaza. Both Israeli figures share a number of views. They oppose an independent Palestinian state and push the danger presented by Islam. Their political parties are supported by Jewish settlers. The European connection Mr Wilders has also not been idling in Europe. He shares an aversion to the European Union and a fear of Islam with his allies. However, he has nothing in common with anti-Semitic extreme-right parties. Belgiums Philip Dewinter and his Flemish nationalist (Vlaams Belang) party are not part of Mr Wilders network. But who are? He gets on well with Pia Kjaersgaard of the Danish Peoples Party. They share similar positions: against the spread of Islam, for tough immigration and integration policies and against Turkish membership of the European Union. He has contacts with the right-wing anti-European United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP). In February 2009, UKIPs Lord Pearson invited Mr Wilders to show his anti-Islam film Fitna in the House of Lords. German politician René Stadkewitz is also an ally of Mr Wilders. This led to him being expelled from the CDU party. He is setting up his own anti-Islam party which is sure to form close links with its Dutch equivalent. _____ Source URL: <http://www.rnw.nl/english/article/geert-wilders-recruits-international-netw ork> http://www.rnw.nl/english/article/geert-wilders-recruits-international-netwo rk Links: Images: [i1] Geert Wilders builds an international network -- <http://www.rnw.nl/english/data/files/images/lead/teaser-wildersconnecties%5 B1%5D.jpg> http://www.rnw.nl/english/data/files/images/lead/teaser-wildersconnecties%5B 1%5D.jpg [i2] <http://www.rnw.nl/english> http://www.rnw.nl/english <http://www.rnw.nl/english/print/179156> <http://www.rnw.nl/sites/all/themes/wereldomroep/images/pictures/close.png> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ -------------------------- Want to discuss this topic? Head on over to our discussion list, discuss-os...@yahoogroups.com. -------------------------- Brooks Isoldi, editor biso...@intellnet.org http://www.intellnet.org Post message: osint@yahoogroups.com Subscribe: osint-subscr...@yahoogroups.com Unsubscribe: osint-unsubscr...@yahoogroups.com *** FAIR USE NOTICE. This message contains copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. OSINT, as a part of The Intelligence Network, is making it available without profit to OSINT YahooGroups members who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information in their efforts to advance the understanding of intelligence and law enforcement organizations, their activities, methods, techniques, human rights, civil liberties, social justice and other intelligence related issues, for non-profit research and educational purposes only. We believe that this constitutes a 'fair use' of the copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Law. If you wish to use this copyrighted material for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use,' you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtmlYahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/osint/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/osint/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: osint-dig...@yahoogroups.com osint-fullfeatu...@yahoogroups.com <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: osint-unsubscr...@yahoogroups.com <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
