The Facts About Hamas

Ricki Hollander
CAMERA
04 May '11

Hamas (Islamic Resistance Movement) is considered a terrorist organization by much of the non-Arab international community including Israel, the U.S., Canada, Japan, the U.K., Australia and the European Union. Its declared goal is to destroy the Jewish state and replace it with an Islamic one. But ever since the group's overwhelming victory in Palestinian elections, political figures, like former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, former UK Ambassador to the UN Sir Jeremy Greenstock, and Robert Malley of the International Crisis Group, have tried to whitewash Hamas, arguing that it must be recognized and legitimized.

Hamas' "reconciliation" with Fatah was hailed by Carter as a historic success. He announced his "confidence" that "Hamas' return to unified Palestinian governance can increase the likelihood of a two-state solution and a peaceful outcome."

But of course this is ludicrous to anyone acquainted with the position of Hamas' leaders. Musa Abu Marzouk, deputy to Hamas chief Khaled Mashaal, insisted that despite the agreement to form a Palestinian unity government, Hamas would not recognize Israel's right to exist, and after the signing, Mashaal declared that "the only campaign we have is against Israel...Our common enemy is Israel. Israel must be fought through force and diplomacy." Senior Hamas official Mahmoud Zahar similarly clarified that, "our program [of reconciliation with Fatah] does not include negotiations with Israel or recognizing it." He insisted that Hamas would never recognize Israel, or give up its "right to Palestine."

Even when Hamas deliberately targets Israeli civilians, endangers the welfare of Palestinians, and even while it consistently proclaims its ultimate commitment to Israel's destruction, there are always those who continue to suggest Hamas is merely fighting for freedom alongside Israel. This is false, belied by Hamas' governing charter, its actions, and its representatives' own proclamations.

From time to time, media outlets report on Hamas' willingness to observe a truce with Israel, usually touted as akin to a permanent or long-term peace agreement. But, this too is an outright fallacy. There has never been any genuine offer by Hamas to co-exist alongside a Jewish state in Israel. Their short-term truces, or "hudnas" are always predicated upon political expediency, and reject the concept of recognizing Israel, maintaining their "right to resistance until the occupation withdraws." (See, for example, here and here.)

Below are seven essential, unarguable facts about Hamas.

(Read full "The Facts About Hamas")

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