U.S. authorities are moving to deport Mosab Hassan Yousef, the son of Hamas leader Sheik Hassan Yousef, from California — after years of anti-terrorism assistance Yousef provided to Israel as a collaborator for Israel’s Shin Bet internal security service.
His Shin Bet handler, Gonen ben Itzhak, is speaking out in his defense. The two have an Op-Ed in today’s Washington Post:
As detailed in the book "Son of Hamas," published this year, we became partners in the fight against terrorism; Mosab became an undercover agent for the Shin Bet, Israel’s security service; Gonen became his Shin Bet handler. In the nine years we worked together, the two of us, once sworn enemies, embraced mutual recognition and rejected the mind-set of revenge…
We believe that friendships like ours are key to eliminating hate and promoting the liberty that both our peoples so desperately desire.
Mosab converted to Christianity in 2005 and moved to California in 2007. America has a vision of a world where liberty reigns. When Mosab brought terrorists to justice while working undercover for the Shin Bet, he was American at heart, fighting for liberty and justice.
Mosab has lived in this country for more than two years. We were shocked when, in 2009, the Department of Homeland Security opposed his request for political asylum, all the more so when it threatened to deport Mosab in the name of protecting American security. If this decision is upheld, it will signal to the world that America does not stand by those who sacrifice to oppose terrorism.
Full column here. Read Mosab’s book here.
