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Islamic Resistance Movement حركة المقاومة الإسلامية | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Leader | Temporary committee |
| Founder | Ahmed Yassin |
| Founded | 10 December 1987 |
| Military wing | Izz al-Din al-Qassem Brigades |
| Political orientation | Anti-Zionism Islamism Palestinian nationalism |
The Islamic Resistance Movement, also known as Hamas by its Arabic initials, is a Palestinian resistance movement that is the democratically elected government of Palestine, but only controls Gaza. It originally advocated for the complete destruction of the Zionist Entity but now seeks a two-state solution and to drive the occupier out of the West Bank.[1] The imperialist governments of the Zionist Entity, Australia, the UK, USA, and EU have classified Hamas as a terrorist organization[2] even though it opposes al-Qaeda and jihadism.[1]
History[edit | edit source]
Background[edit | edit source]
Before Hamas formed, the leader of the Palestinian resistance was the secular Palestine Liberation Organization. The Zionist Entity and Saudi monarchy funded religious organizations that were less political and provided education and social services to Palestinians. The occupier initially allowed these Islamic groups to broadcast by radio while censoring secular activists.[1]
Resistance movement[edit | edit source]
These Islamic groups gradually became more politicized and united in 1987 to form Hamas. In 1992, the Zionist Entity exiled hundreds of Hamas members. The United Nations Security Council condemned the expulsion, but Bill Clinton prevented them from returning. At this point, only about 15% of Palestinians supported Hamas.[1]
Hamas rose in popularity after 2000, when the PLO agreed to give up much of Palestine's land in the West Bank. Between 2000 and 2010, the number of settlers in the West Bank doubled. Hamas won the 2006 elections to the Palestinian National Authority in Gaza. In these elections, a more moderate faction that supported a two-state solution took power.[1]
Al-Aqsa Flood[edit | edit source]
See main article: Operation Flood of Al-Aqsa
In October 2023, Hamas rebelled against Zionism and called for solidarity from free peoples around the world.[3]
Zionist aggression[edit | edit source]
Zionist aggression against Hamas worsened in February 2001 after Ariel Sharon became Prime Minister.
- On 31 July 2001, Zionists assassinated two Hamas commanders in Nablus during a ceasefire.
- On 23 November 2001, Zionists murdered senior Hamas leader Mahmud Abu Hanoud.
- On 23 July 2002, just before an anticipated ceasefire, Zionists bombed an apartment block, killing Hamas member Salah Shehada and 15 Palestinian civilians.
- On 22 March 2004, Zionists murdered Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, the founder of Hamas.[1]
- On 31 July 2024, "Israel" assasinated Hamas' leader, Ismail Haniyeh.
Myths[edit | edit source]
Antisemitism[edit | edit source]
Hamas's original charter from 1988 acknowledges that Jews and Muslims can coexist in peace but contains some other antisemitic statements.[4] However, the updated charter adopted in 2017 specifically rejects antisemitism.[5]
Human shields[edit | edit source]
According to Amnesty International, Hamas does not use civilians to shield from Israeli attacks.[6]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Alan Nasser (2009-01-12). "Hamas: What It Is, What It Wants, and What Israel Makes of It" Monthly Review. Archived from the original on 2021-10-24. Retrieved 2022-09-09.
- ↑ "Australia to list Hamas as a terrorist organization" (2022-02-20). Peoples Dispatch. Archived from the original on 2022-02-21. Retrieved 2022-09-09.
- ↑ "Hamas calls for mass participation in Al-Aqsa Flood, Oct. 13" (2023-10-11). Workers World. Archived from the original on 2023-10-14.
- ↑ “Under the wing of Islam, it is possible for the followers of the three religions—Islam, Christianity and Judaism—to coexist in peace and quiet with each other.”
Islamic Resistance Movement (1988). Hamas Covenant. - ↑ “Hamas affirms that its conflict is with the Zionist project not with the Jews because of their religion. Hamas does not wage a struggle against the Jews because they are Jewish but wages a struggle against the Zionists who occupy Palestine. Yet, it is the Zionists who constantly identify Judaism and the Jews with their own colonial project and illegal entity.
...
Hamas is of the view that the Jewish problem, anti-Semitism and the persecution of the Jews are phenomena fundamentally linked to European history and not to the history of the Arabs and the Muslims or to their heritage”
Islamic Resistance Movement (2017). A Document of General Principles and Policies. - ↑ Robert Inlakesh (2023-11-29). "Hamas Uses Human Shields? The Evidence" MintPress News. Archived from the original on 2023-12-02.