Hamas 101

Hamas, the Arabic acronym Harakat al-Mugawama al-Islamiya or Islamic Resistance Movement (meaning "zeal"), is an Islamic militant organization that desires to establish an Islamic state in Israel. A relatively new movement, Hamas has its origins in the Muslim Brotherhood, the religious/political organization of Egypt. Hamas is based in Gaza, but operates in the West Bank and in Israel. It is the opposition to the ruling political party, Fatah, which was founded by Yasser Arafat, led by Mahmoud Abbas and riddled with ongoing accusations of corruption. In 2006, Hamas overthrew the Fatah party during the general election, partly because Palestinians were ready for a new government.

Hamas was founded in 1987 by Sheikh Ahmed Yassin and Abdel Aziz Rantisi and published its official charter the following year. The charter calls for the destruction of Israel and for "raising the banner of Allah over every inch of Palestine." Rantisi was quoted as saying, "We do not believe we can live with the enemy." In 2004, both founding members died. Today, Khaled Meshal is Hamas' overseer based in Syria.

Much like the Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas meshes politics with the Islamic religion, but are more an organization of military might with over 1,000 plus members and constituents. They have acknowledged carrying out hundreds of terrorist attacks and assaults including those involving suicide bombers, often referred to as "sacred explosions."

Suicide bombers chosen are mainly devout, young men joined by a common bond - intense "hatred of Israel." Hamas pays suicide bombers' families upwards of $5,000 for sacred explosions, which are said to cost a mere $150. They draw funds from their multi million-dollar budget.

Much of Hamas' dollars originate from private Saudi Arabian donors, Iran and Muslim charities of up to $20 million. However, only a fraction of Hamas' budget is spent on jihad, or holy war. Their goodwill has led them to build schools and hospitals. A large portion of the Hamas budget is allocated for funding social causes such as soup kitchens, orphanages and, of course, mosques. Hamas unreserved generosity is part of what drives its popularity among Palestinians, but that popularity wanes from time to time due, in part, to the ongoing violence taking place in Gaza.

Because of their hostile position against Israel and refusal to acknowledge Israel's right to exist in the Middle East, Hamas is considered by Israel, the European Union, and the United States as a terrorist organization.

Read more at:

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/06/15/gaza.fighting/index.html

http://judaism.about.com/od/peaceprocess/p/hamas_faq.htm

http://www.cfr.org/publications/8968