Hamas

Hamas

Hamas (H.A.M.A.S. Harakat(movement) al-Muqawama (resistance in the sense of constant warfare) al-Islamiya, or "Islamic Resistance Movement") is a Palestinian Sunni Islamist political and militant organization. It combines Palestinian nationalism with Islamic fundamentalism and has governed the Gaza Strip since winning elections in 2006 and taking full control in 2007.

Hamas was founded in December 1987 by Sheikh Ahmed Yassin and other Muslim Brotherhood affiliates during the First Intifada (Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation). It emerged as the Brotherhood's political and militant arm in Gaza.

Ideology of Hamas

Hamas's ideology is rooted in Sunni Islamism (and the Muslim Brotherhood), with Palestine as a central religious and national cause.

• They claim a historic right to the land of Palestine in their 1988 charter.
• Calls for the destruction of Israel through jihad (holy war) as a religious duty.
• Clearly contains strongly "antisemitic language", including tropes about Jews, conspiracy theories, and references to fighting/killing Jews until Judgment Day.

They reject any and all peaceful settlements or any recognition of Israel with an ideology that prioritizes al-Muqawama, perpetual armed resistance.

2017 Document update

Their '2017 Document of General Principles and Policies Charter Softens some rhetoric to become more broader in its appeal for support.

It now claims the conflict is against the "Zionist project" which they see as a colonial and expansionist rather than the Jews as people moving back to their ancient homeland or Judaism as a religion immigrating to a country established by Britain and the United Nations in 1948 to fill the vacuum of the fallen Ottoman Empire. It attributes historical antisemitism more to Europe than to Arabs/Muslims.

It still rejects Israel's legitimacy and calls for full "liberation of Palestine, from the river to the sea."

It claims to accept that there is room for a possible "national consensus" formula, without recognizing Israel desiring a Palestinian state along 1967 borders (West Bank + Gaza, with East Jerusalem as capital) and refugee return — but only as an interim step toward the ultimate goal.

The 2017 document is often seen as pragmatic rebranding rather than a fundamental shift — the original 1988 charter has not been formally revoked, and Hamas leaders continue to emphasize resistance and non-recognition of Israel.

Continuous Goals

Goals are ambiguous because they never really existed:

• The Liberation of Palestine: End Israeli "occupation" and establish Palestinian Islamic sovereignty over all historic territory. This Liberation would include an Islamic state and would have little to do with liberation.
• Islamic governance: Promote Sharia-influenced society while providing social services. Under socialism and progressivism a imperialistic Islamic Caliphate would dictate to all and there would be no "liberation".
• Opposition to Israel: No recognition; ongoing resistance via military, political, and propaganda means. The idea that "liberation" is ever obtained by taking away the liberty of others is contrary to Abraham, Moses, Jesus and all the prophets.
• Palestinian leadership: Rivalry with the more secular Fatah/Palestinian Authority; Hamas positions itself as the true defender of Palestinian rights.

Tactics

Hamas has a dual approach: militant actions. Direct assaults have consistently failed so it is dependent upon suicide bombings, rockets, drones and tunnels and of course propaganda, alongside political participation and welfare networks to build popular support. Its beliefs prioritize resistance over diplomacy.