Understanding Hamas
JVL Introduction
We repost this article which appeared in the Guardian in November 2014, over nine years ago (H/t MB).
The consensus seems to be that since the events of October 7 were so heinous, any attempt to understand them – or even put them in context – is to condone terrorism.
And anyway, Britain declared Hamas a terrorist organisation in 2021, so that settles that…
These are ludicrous arguments which we reject utterly.
Ahmed Yousef argued in 2014 that the Hamas charter, endlessly cited for its antisemitic content, never truly represented the movement’s vision and political goals, which needed to be judged by what it was doing as “a movement resisting occupation and besiegement” and, where possible, trying to provide for the welfare of the people of Gaza.
It’s better place to start a much-needed discussion than the endless demonisation of Hamas we are surrounded by. See also some of the articles linked to below which attempt to contribute to this discussion.
RK
This article was originally published by the Guardian on Fri 14 Nov 2014. Read the original here.
Judge Hamas on the measures it takes for its people
Hamas’s charter was never intended to be a governing instrument, nor the guiding political vision of our movement. Our actions show that we don’t denigrate any faith
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It’s good to read that they Hamas are prepared to work with other groups within Palestine, to work for Peace in the area. Having seen videos of the fighting in Gaza filmed by Hamas I must admire their fighters who are fighting against a much better equipped Israeli army. most are just wearing jeans and tee shirts. While the Israeli army are fully equipped with flack jackets and helmets etc. But in saying that we must all work for peace and equality for all.
Since the Israeli’s are not allowed by law to attack the people they have corralled they are the terrorists.
Interesting to read this. Although it refers to their programme for their community it doesn’t set out what it is. Obviously the attack and crimes of Oct 7 were coming from a different place than this article. Aside from trying to derail the Abraham accord was there another purpose, a strategy, or was it a well orchestrated but otherwise rogue attack? Am trying to understand the background better.
If Hamas is to be judged . Let them be judged on the decisions they were forced to take on October 7th 2023. Palestine for decades has been forced to suffer atrocities for decades by the Zionists backed by USA and many European, Colonialists . Their youth were targeted and shot dead. Their ability to access the job market, limited . Education, Medical Treatment, Housing . Food, Water, Safety . All the things needed for human beings to thrive were curtailed and they were forced to accept this , or be classed as terrorists. They are not terrorists. They are people who have been treated terribly for over 75 years . Nothing has changed , indeed suffering has increased as Israeli prospered and controlled the Palestinian people more each day .
What other recourse did the Freedom Fighters have to reveal to ‘all the World ‘ the truth of what was happening to the Palestinians. I for one , a Scottish Lady am very proud of the Resistance and the people of Palestine who have sacrificed everything, to expose the corruption of Israeli, backed by USA , UK and others . Never again will they subjugate people , with MSM controlling the narrative . The World knows the truth now and Palestine has shown us the way . Hamas is not a terrorists organisation. They are the only ones fighting for the Freedom of Palestine ????????????????????????
While Hamas may well be a Palestinian resistance movement, its genus is part of the Islamo fascism that drives the likes of Al-Qaeda and ISIS. One has only to look at its brutal record of repressive and murderous governance that saw it ally for a lengthy period with Al-Qaeda and ISIS factions in the civil war in Syria.
We don’t need Hamas to remind us of how Israel oppresses Palestinians. Just like Palestinians should not have to rely on their emancipation from Hamas. Along with the Judeo fascists of Ben- Givir and Smotrich, Hamas must be called out for what it is.
No amount of whitewashing can salvage its blood stained image of cruelty, intolerance and fundamental antisemitic intent. To pretend that the Hamas Charter is an inconsequential relic, even while they refuse to renounce it, is a lame attempt to hide their vicious antisemitic racism.
Let us not forget that Hamas along with Netanyahu are responsible in equal measure for scuppering peace negotiations consequent on the Oslo accords. Who can forget the terroristic suicide bombings that treated both Palestinian and Israeli lives as so much canon fodder designed to blow up any chance of a negotiated peace.
To both Hamas and the Judeo fascists who seem to be stealing the fight for a just solution to this conflict, we must say “A plague on both your houses.”