Iran Allegedly Recruiting Children for Terror Attacks on Jews in Europe

European officials are raising alarm about a chilling new tactic by Iran’s Islamic regime: recruiting children to carry out terrorist attacks against Israeli targets in Europe. Recent incidents reveal the disturbing extent to which Iran-backed operatives are exploiting minors to further their agenda.

Several shocking examples underscore the severity of the issue:

• A 15-year-old boy in Stockholm was found with a loaded gun, reportedly headed to the Israeli embassy.

• In Gothenburg, a 13-year-old was caught shooting at Israeli defense firm Elbit Systems.

• Homemade explosives were planted at the same facility by a 16-year-old.

• In Brussels, children as young as 14 were implicated in a planned attack on the Israeli embassy.

The choice to use children is deliberate. Minors often face minimal legal consequences for criminal activities, particularly in Nordic countries where penalties for those under 15 are negligible. Sweden and Norway, known for their open societies and minimal policing, have become especially vulnerable.

Iran’s regime uses proxies to recruit and hire these children, creating layers of separation that provide plausible deniability. The Swedish Security Service noted that many of the proxies may not even realize they are serving a foreign power.

For these children, the incentives can range from a few hundred dollars for small acts like petrol bombings to as much as $1,500 for assassinations. In some cases, the minors are not even fully aware of the gravity of their missions.

The rise in child involvement coincides with heightened tensions following Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel, which left over 1,200 Israelis dead. Iran’s role as a supporter of Hamas and other terror groups has emboldened Islamic extremists across Europe. Many of these actors are enraged by Israel’s response to the attacks and seek to inflict further violence.

This troubling development highlights the ongoing threat posed by Iran’s regime, not only to the Middle East but to the safety and security of Europe. As Europe remains on high alert, the exploitation of children in terror activities serves as a grim reminder of the lengths Iran and its proxies are willing to go to achieve their objectives.

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