Hamas
Harakat al-Muqawamat al-Islamiyya (Islamic Resistance Movement)
Ideology
Maintains that Palestine is an Islamic homeland that can never be surrendered to non-Muslims and that waging jihad (Holy War) to liberate Palestine from what it calls the "Zionist Entity" is the duty of all Palestinians. This ideology is traditionally disseminated through inflammatory sermons in mosques, and the distribution of religious and political leaflets.
Activities
Hamas's military wing, the 'Izz al-Din al-Qassam'
(Allotment of the Power of Religion), has been involved in a campaign
of terrorism against Israel since 1987. The group has become known for
its suicide bombers. Members of this brigade believe that martyrdom in
the name of God is the highest form of self-sacrifice.
Hamas is both a social and a militant group, involved
in welfare schemes and education of Palestinians, in vocational training,
health care and also with providing jobs to unemployed. The military wing
of the Hamas is one of the most active organizations in the territories,
due to its ongoing battle with the Israeli occupation.
Strength
Despite its relative youth, Hamas has become a significant force in the realm of Palestinian politics. A number of factors leading to its popularity include its reputation for honesty, daring and successful attacks on Israeli military targets, and the immediate presence of its leadership (as opposed to the PLO's expatriate direction). At this time, Hamas could be strong enough to represent a real threat to PLO's power position.
Additional Information
In April 1994, Hamas issued its long-term goals outlining a pragmatic policy position by declaring its willingness to cease military operation in the West Bank and Gaza, as long as the following conditions are met: 1) complete Israeli withdrawal from the occupied territories; 2) disarming the settlers and dismantling the settlements; 3) placing international forces on the "green line" established in the occupied territories during the '48 and '67 wars; 4) free and general elections to determine true representation of the Palestinian people; and 5) the Council, which will be composed of electoral victors, shall represent the Palestinians in any negotiations that determine their future and that of the occupied territories.