Hamas an extraordinary movement now 20 years old

"The Hamas see these maneuverings and conspiracies together with all previous peace talks that were held earlier as unacceptable. The Hamas refuses to accept and recognize the Jewish state of Israel. They see the Jewish state as an occupation force that has colonized a land legitimately belonging to the Palestinians."

by Saybhan Samat, in Colombo to Sri Lanka Guardian

(December, 17, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) It is a marvel that Hamas has survived up to now despite it being cruelly marginalized by the US, its European allies and the Zionist state of Israel. Excepting Iran even the so called moderate states like Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan have not looked upon Hamas favourably. The pantomime that was played out recently in Annapolis without the presence of the legitimately elected representatives of the Hamas was a sham. Working with a compliant president Mahmoud Abbas, Israel the US and her European allies wants and outcome thus: for Israel to remain the ruling power over the whole of Palestine, with Jerusalem as its capital, sole control over the area’s borders and economy and the military power and the legal right to impose its will anywhere in the territory as and when it pleases; while the Palestinians govern themselves in Bantustan like areas under Israel’s over lordship, which Israel will allow them to call a “state” with state like institutions such as “president” and “security forces” which will be only used against other Palestinians like Hamas, but which will have in reality little more freedom or independence form Israel over lordships’ than a municipal authority has in other countries from the national government.

The Hamas see these maneuverings and conspiracies together with all previous peace talks that were held earlier as unacceptable. The Hamas refuses to accept and recognize the Jewish state of Israel. They see the Jewish state as an occupation force that has colonized a land legitimately belonging to the Palestinians. They demand that all Palestinians living in the Diaspora have the right of return to a land that they were driven away from. For these principles for which the Hamas stands for, they are resolutely prepared for resistance against Israel to liberate the whole of Palestine and make Jerusalem their capital.

The economic blockade in where the Hamas is now entrenched has reduced its people to near starvation. The people of Ghazzah are living in appalling conditions in what is effectively a giant concentration camp. At time of writing Israelis are debating whether or not it is acceptable to cut power supplies to the whole of Ghazzah in response to the refusal of Hamas to co-operate. If they do this it will be catastrophic for 1.4 million Palestinians living there; if they don’t, it will be portrayed as an act of humanity and restraint.

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It would be of interest to know something about Hamas which has mounted unbelievable resistance to the occupation of their land. Their persistence steadfastness commitment, courage and patience in the struggle is unmatched. No liberation movement in the history of the world has faced such difficulties.

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Besides the economic blockade, there is the almost daily incursions of Israeli troops into Ghazzah and the West Bank for the purpose of killing suspected militants or “extremists”. Several are also rounded up and imprisoned.

It is amazing that a small group of Palestinians now under the leadership of Hamas has managed to continue this resistance with all these offensives from Israel, with the support of the US and its European allies, Hamas keeps up its Qassem rocket attacks on Israel and refuses to surrender to Israel and the mighty US and its European allies. The Hamas record of steadfast resistance despite everything they have been subjected to cannot be halted.

It would be of interest to know something about Hamas which has mounted unbelievable resistance to the occupation of their land. Their persistence steadfastness commitment, courage and patience in the struggle is unmatched. No liberation movement in the history of the world has faced such difficulties.

Hamas was a Palestinian Islamist political group founded in 1987, involved in both social programmes in the Palestinian territories, as well as military actions against Israel.

Hamas is not the official name of the organization, which is rather Harakatul- Mujawamati-l-Islamiya, which translates in 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 religions, social and educational work. The Hamas and Muslim Brotherhood continue 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 compromises with Israel. In Article II 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”.

Picture: Mass Rally organised by HAMAS.

In Hamas’ charter strong sentiments against the Western world and Jews are clearly expressed mixed with frequent quotations from the Quran.

Hamas is also involved in a wide range of social programmes for poor Palestinians, programmes providing welfare education, vocational training, health care and ‘also jobs for the 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 and military ones.

Hamas is also known for its suicide bombers and activists. These come from a special branch of Hamas called, Allotment of the Power of Religion, “Izzud-Dini -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, the Jihad of Hamas has involved some actions against moderate Palestinians identified as traitors.

Hamas marked its 20th anniversary with a mass rally in Gaza on the 15th of December 2007. Tens of thousands of supporters gathered to hear former Prime Minister Ismail Haniya announce that the only path to liberation is resistance and Jihad. A black banner hanging from a nearby building read in Arabic and French “We will not recognize Israel”