Hamas : A Beginner's Guide

This beginner's guide to Hamas has been fully revised and updated. It now covers all the major events since the January 2006 elections, including the conflict with Fatah and Israel's brutal offensive in Gaza at the end of 2008. Explaining the reasons for Hamas's popularity, leading Al-Jazeera journalist and Cambridge academic Khaled Hroub provides the key facts that are so often missing from conventional news reports. It's a one-stop guide that gives a clear overview of Hamas's history, key beliefs, and its political agenda. This unique book provides a refreshing perspective that gets to the heart of Hamas. Contents Cover Introduction Introduction to the Second Edition 1 Hamas’s history ISLAMISM AND THE PALESTINIAN STRUGGLE THE MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD ROOTS OF HAMAS THE FORMATION OF HAMAS 2 Hamas’s ideology, strategy and objectives THE DEFINITION OF HAMAS, ITS IDEOLOGICAL DRIVE AND WORLDVIEW WHAT IS THE HAMAS CHARTER, AND IS IT RELEVANT? HAMAS: A NATIONAL LIBERATION MOVEMENT OR A RELIGIOUS MOVEMENT? 3 Hamas, Israel and Judaism HAMAS’S VIEW OF THE JEWS HAMAS’S VIEW OF ISRAEL 4 Hamas’s resistance and military strategy FORCING UNCONDITIONAL ISRAELI WITHDRAWAL SUICIDE ATTACKS 5 Hamas’s political and social strategy HAMAS’S POSITION ON THE VARIOUS PEACE PLANS WITH ISRAEL ELECTIONS, DEMOCRACY AND MOBILIZATION HAMAS’S ECONOMIC OUTLOOK GRASSROOTS SOCIAL WORK 6 Hamas and the Palestinians HAMAS’S POPULARITY HAMAS AND SECULAR PALESTINIAN MOVEMENTS 7 Hamas and ‘International Islamism’ HAMAS AND MUSLIM COUNTRIES HAMAS AND MUSLIM COMMUNITIES IN THE WEST HAMAS AND ISLAMIST MOVEMENTS 8 Hamas and the West HAMAS AND THE WEST HAMAS AND THE UNITED STATES HAMAS AND EUROPE 9 Hamas’s leadership and structure LEADERSHIP WHERE DOES HAMAS GET ITS MONEY? 10 A new Hamas? HAMAS AND THE 2006 ELECTIONS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF HAMAS’S VICTORY IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS OF 2006 11 Hamas in power THE MIXED FORTUNES OF HAMAS IN POWER THE MIXED FORTUNES OF HAMAS IN POWER SHARING AND CONTROL 12 The future of Hamas WILL HAMAS MAINTAIN A MODERATE OR RADICAL LINE OF THINKING AND ACTION? WILL HAMAS BE STRONGER OR WEAKER IN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE? WHAT WILL BE THE IMPACT OF HAMAS ON MIDDLE EASTERN POLITICS AND STABILITY? WHAT IS HAMAS’S FUTURE AFTER ITS FULL CONTROL OVER THE GAZA STRIP AND THE SEPARATION FROM THE WEST BANK? 13 Hamas and the Gaza war HAS HAMAS BEEN WEAKENED BY THE WAR MILITARILY AND POLITICALLY? HAS THE GAZA WAR STRENGTHENED OR WEAKENED HAMAS’S REGIONAL STANDING AND ALLIES? Recommended reading Index What is Hamas's history; its key beliefs; and its political agenda? From its'founding, following the First Intifada, to the 2008 Israeli Gaza offensive, Khaled Hroub writes this indispensable introduction to Hamas. The book encompasses all major events, including the January 2006 elections, the ever-evolving relationship with Fatah, and the Gaza war, in addition to providing insight into Hamas's ideology by studying their charter, their socio-economic strategies and their outlook on Israel. Explaining the reasons for Hamas's popularity, Hroub provides the key facts often missing from news reports. The reality of Hamas's victory means that the West will now have to engage with it more seriously if there is to be peace in the Middle East. This book provides the first essential step towards a better understanding of the challenges and surprises that the future may hold. Explaining The Reasons For Hamas's Popularity, Leading Expert And Cambridge Academic Khaled Hroub Provides The Key Facts That Are So Often Missing From Conventional News Reports. This Is A One-stop Guide That Gives A Clear Overview Of Hamas's History, Its Beliefs And Its Political Agenda -- From Cover. 1. Hamas's History -- 2. Hamas's Ideology, Strategy And Objectives -- 3. Hamas, Israel And Judaism -- 4. Hamas's Resistance And Military Strategy -- 5. Hamas's Political And Social Strategy -- 6. Hamas And The Palestinians -- 7. Hamas And International Islamism -- 8. Hamas And The West -- 9. Hamas's Leadership And Structure -- 10. A New Hamas? -- 11. Hamas In Power -- 12. The Future Of Hamas -- 13. Hamas And The Gaza War. Khaled Hroub. Previous Ed.: 2006. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. This beginner's guide to Hamas has been fully revised and updated. It now covers all the major events since the January 2006 elections, including the conflict with Fatah and Israel's brutal offensive in Gaza at the end of 2008 and beginning of 2009 Acclaimed introduction to the Palestinian Islamist organisation in a simple Q&A format, fully revised and updated.