Re-Thinking Hamas
By John Amidon
Damascus, Syria - After a confusing taxi cab ride, traversing a number of switchbacks and climbing a steep hill, we arrived at the Hamas Headquarters in Damascus. We proceed on foot, up a steep set of stairways and enter into a narrow hallway of a nondescript apartment complex built into the hillside. Inside we are met by security. They are friendly and our bags are searched, our cell phones temporarily taken and we are ushered into a spacious and comfortable meeting room. On the wall in the background is a Hamas motif.
We are met by Dr. Musa Abu Marzook, the Deputy Chairman of Hamas Political Office and Sami Khatar, a co-founder of Hamas, along with their interpreter. Our delegation is Academics for Peace led by Dr. James Jennings of Consciousness International. Dr. Jennings speaks fluent Arabic. Other members of our delegation include Dr. L. Davidson, a Professor of History at West Chester University and Dr. J. Amighi, a professor of anthropology at Montgomery College. All have considerable expertise in, and have traveled extensively in, the Middle East. Dr. Amighi speaks fluent Farsi also and has lived in Iran. We hope to establish a bridge of understanding between Hamas and the American people with the belief that clear and factual information may further the peace process.
For too long, Hamas has simply been branded a terrorist organization by the US government and little intelligent and thoughtful conversation has been part of our national dialogue. This has been to the detriment of the US, Israel, the people of Palestine and the Middle East. The 2006 democratic elections which swept Hamas into power - an honest and fair election, a landslide victory with Hamas winning well over 60% of the vote, also winning the Christian vote - ought to have been an indicator that our government’s assessment as presented in the media is, at best, inaccurate.
Some of the most immediate questions are: Why and how did Hamas come to power if it were simply a group of ruthless killers and suicide bombers? Are we looking into the eyes of terrorists or the rightful resistance to an illegal occupation of the West Bank by the Israeli government? Does Hamas hate Jews and Judaism or is the conflict over the denial of rights of the Palestinian people by the Israeli government? Many of these answers are available in, Hamas: A Beginner’s Guide by Khaled Hroub. Khaled Hroub is a scholar and “Director of the Arab Media Project at Cambridge University’. This short and easily accessible book, in question and answer format, gives detailed answers to many of the questions surrounding Hamas since its inception in 1987 through the 2006 elections which shocked the world.
Dr. Marzook and Mr. Khatar initially seem somewhat puzzled, perhaps wondering who our delegation might be. Dr. Marzook gives us a current overview of Hamas' position and answers questions. Our conversation is reasonably relaxed and straightforward. He tells us Hamas are refugees in Syria and that he, in fact, was born in a refugee camp In Rafah, Gaza. It is a common denominator for the Hamas leadership to have been born in refugee camps and also to live modestly and honestly. Unlike Fatah, Hamas is known for its honesty and lack of corruption. Hamas also is very effective and transparent in administering numerous social welfare programs which help numerous Palestinians stay alive. Consequently, part of Hamas popularity is due to their effective and honest leadership in helping the Palestinian people. Part is due to the extreme frustration with Fatah, known for its corruption, affluent lifestyle of its leaders and its ineffectiveness in negotiating Palestinian rights and peace. The third major reason for Hamas' popularity is the brutal occupation of the West Bank and attacks on Gaza. The Oslo Peace Accords and other peace agreements have simply led to more oppression, more Jewish housing settlements in the would-be state of Palestine and continued occupation by the Israeli government.
Is Hamas a terrorist organization or the rightful resistance to a brutal occupation? It is a question that the U.S government and the American media seriously need to reconsider if peace is to be negotiated in the Middle East. On June 19, 2008, a truce between Hamas and the Israeli government went into effect. While it has been met with skepticism, there is a great need and opportunity for both sides to find a way through the endless cycles of violence both have endured. Many Israelis and most Palestinians would favor a two-state solution. It is truly hoped for that all parties will honor this truce and to honestly begin the peace process.
John Amidon, representing Veterans For Peace, traveled to Syria and Lebanon in May of 2008, with U.S. Academics For Peace on a mission of Citizen Diplomacy, meeting with representatives from both Hamas and Hezbollah.