Kahane Chai increased its level of activity in protest of Ariel Sharon's plan to dismantle settlements in the Gaza Strip and West Bank.  Viewing such a step as a violation of the principle that Jews deserve control of the holy land, the group issued many ominous warnings.  The most serious threats leveled by Kahane Chai involved threats on the lives of politicians who supported the disengagement plan as well as an announcement of plans to derail train tracks in protest of the new policy.  In any case, although opposition to disengagement was widespread, it was rarely violent, and Kahane Chai did not carry out any terrorist attacks.

Association of Revolutionary Workers, Revolutionary Workers' Council

Kakurokyo is one of approximately 50 "New Left" groups operating in Japan today.  The majority of New Left organizations were formed between 1955 and 1966, following the 1955 decision of the Japanese Communist party to abandon violent tactics.  Some members of the communist community chose to start new groups that remained committed to illegal terrorist actions.  <P> The heyday of New Left groups is long gone, yet certain groups such as Kakurokyo continue to espouse violence.  In 1970, the New Left groups counted 70,000 supporters of their cause.  By 2003, that number has dwindled to 10,000.  Despite its dwindling support base, hard-line members of Kakurokyo continue their terrorist actions.  Kakurokyo has violently attacked the Asia Pacific Economic Council (APEC), Group of Seven (G-7), Japanese Defense Agency, and the Japanese police.  Kakurokyo strongly opposes the dispatch of the Japanese Self Defense Force to Iraq.  Typically, Kakurokyo commits its activities legally.  But the group will revert to violent terrorist actions, specifically bombings that target government facilities. In particular, Kakurokyo targets US bases in Japan, including bases at Yokota and Atsugi. <P> Not to be confused with the separate terrorist organization "Revolutionary Army (Kakumeigun)," Chukakuha and Kakurokyo have their own unofficial detached forces also called Revolutionary Army (Kakumeigun).