Hamas: Support for Terrorism

Overview

The Islamic Resistance Movement, or its Arabic acronym Hamas (which translates to “zeal”), began as a division of the Muslim Brotherhood in 1967. Although some would argue that it goes back further than that to the rise of Zionism in the 19th century and the establishment of a Jewish homeland in 1948 after World War II. As a result of the Nazi Holocaust, the United Nations helped create a new and separate nation, Israel, for Jews. The region chosen was taken from several countries, including Syria and Lebanon, but the Muslims who called the area home referred to themselves as Palestinians. Neither the Palestinians, or other Arab nations in the region, were happy with the creation of the new nation.

In the years following the creation of Israel, multiple groups formed whose goal was to advance Palestinian rights, including the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Gaza Strip organization of the Muslim Brotherhood. Under the name "al Mujama," Hamas was registered as a nonprofit, religious organization in 1978. But the current incarnation of Hamas begins with the Palestinian Intifada that started in 1987.

Muslim Brotherhood were initially asked to work for the advancement of Palestinians peacefully. They focused on educational and business opportunities for Muslims in Israel. However, that began to change during the 1980s, as the group lost influence and more violent groups took power. Accused by PLO members of being a pawn of Israel, Yassin decided to become more active against the Israeli occupation of Gaza. Although he still urged peaceful civil disobedience at the time, Yassin allowed that armed attacks might be necessary.

Meaning “to shake,” the Intifada was a mass uprising staged by the Palestinians against the Israeli government. Israel’s response to the attacks led Yassin to believe that there was no peaceful solution to the conflict. The group launched a jihad, or holy war, against Israel in 1988, demanding the liberation of all of Palestine, an area that included not only the Gaza Strip and West Bank, but also all of present-day Israel. Violent attacks against Israeli citizens continued in the following months, as the Israeli government reacted by arresting Hamas supporters. More than 250 Hamas supporters were imprisoned by the Spring of 1989.

The murder of two Israeli soldiers in May 1989 led to the arrest of even more Hamas supporters, including Yassin. By September of the same year, Israel had banned the organization. However, the group continued to grow in size and support, despite the efforts of the Israeli government. The group’s paramilitary wing, Izz al Din Qassam Brigades, or al-Qassam Brigades, directs the group’s violent activities.