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Hamas
Arabic: (NICKNAME:)
hamās
Arabic: (FULL NAME:)
harakātu l-mujawamati l-'islāmiyya
Palestinian Islamist political group founded in 1987, involved in both social programs in the Palestinian territories, as well as military actions against Israel.
Hamas is not the official name of the organization, which is rather Harakatu l-Mujawamati l-Islamiya, which translates into English as 'Islamic Resistance Movement'. Hamas is the common name, coming from the Arabic word for 'zeal'.
Hamas grew out of the Muslim Brotherhood, specifically from a branch active in Gaza in religious, social and educational work. The Hamas and Muslim Brotherhood continues to have good interrelationships, and the two groups could be considered to be one entity. The first leader was Shaykh Ahmad Yassin, who held the position despite bad health until his assassination in 2004.
The Intifada, the Palestinian public resistance that started the same year as Hamas was founded was central in making Hamas one of the most important groups in Palestine.
Hamas has never been willing to accept any compromise with Israel. In Article 11 in their charter they declare that no party has the right to give up any Palestinian land. Article 13 views jihad as the only solution to fight Israel, while other measures like international conferences are regarded as "a waste of time and a kind of child's play."
In Hamas' charter strong sentiments against the Western world and Jews are clearly expressed, mixed with frequent quotations from the Koran.
Hamas is also involved in a wide range of social programs for poor Palestinians, programs providing welfare and education, vocational training, health care and also jobs for unemployed. Their main centre of activity is the Gaza Strip, where they have provided a better welfare system than what the Palestinian authorities have offered. Many observers claim that this type of activity is the real focus of Hamas' activities, rather than the political/violent one.
Hamas has become known for its suicide bombers and activists. These come from a special branch of Hamas, called Allotment of the Power of Religion, cIzzu d-Dīni l-Qasam. Members of this brigade believe that death in the name of God is the greatest sacrifice that can be offered.
In addition to attacks on Israelis, jihad of Hamas has involved some actions against moderate Palestinians (especially members of PLO).
A bomb in a bus in Tel Aviv, where 22 were killed, and the subsequent detention of hundreds of Hamas activists by Israel, placed Hamas in world press headlines in 2001.
Hamas has strong support among Palestinians, even if these numbers fluctuate continually depending on the change in social conditions and politics in Palestine. With the Israeli killings of stone-throwing Palestinians in late 2000, Hamas emerged as stronger than ever. From this time on, Hamas had become strong enough to represent a real threat to the PLO's authority and power.
In 2006, Hamas won a clear majority in the Palestinian Legislative Council, much to the surprise of foreign observers. At the time of writing (Mar. 14, 2006) Hamas had declared no willingness to recognize the existence of Israel, creating much uncertainty to the situation between Palestine and Israel.
HISTORY
1987: Founded by members of the Muslim Brotherhood based in Gaza.
1994 May: With the establishment of the Palestinian National Authority Hamas responds with threats of civil war, and continued attacks on Israel.
2000: Israeli soldiers kill stone-throwing Palestinians, rendering the Palestinian authorities irrelevant for Palestinian security. Many more Palestinians start supporting Hamas.
2001 June 1. 22 killed in Tel Aviv by a suicide bomber of Hamas.
— August 9: 15 killed in Jerusalem by a suicide bomber of Hamas.
2002 May 7: 16 killed in Rishon LeZion by a suicide bomber of Hamas.
2003 March 5: 17 killed, 55 injured by a suicide bomber of Hamas.
— June 11: 17 killed in Jerusalem by a suicide bomber dressed up as an orthodox Jew.
— August 19: 23 killed, 100 injured in Jerusalem by a suicide bomber.
2004 March 14: 10 killed, 16 injured in Ashdod by two suicide bombers of Hamas.
— March 22: Shaykh Ahmad Yassin is killed by Israeli soldiers, at the command of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel. Abdul Aziz al-Rantissi becomes the new leader.
— April 17: Abdul Aziz al-Rantissi is assassinated by the Israeli army at the command of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.
— April 18: A new leader is selected, but for security reasons, his identity is kept secret. According to Israeli authorities, the un-named leader is Mahmoud al-Zahar.
2005 September: Israel withdraws completely from the Gaza Strip, allowing Hamas more unofficial control and influence over the area than before.
2006 January 26: Hamas is declared winner of the elections for the Palestinian Legislative Council. They get 42.9% of the votes and 76 of 132 seats.
© Copyright 1996-2008 LookLex Ltd. All rights reserved
By: Tore Kjeilen
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