Hamas, an acronym for Harakat al-Muqawamah al-Islamiyya (Islamic Resistance Movement), is a Palestinian Islamist organization that emerged in the late 20th century. It is widely regarded as an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood, a transnational Sunni Islamist organization founded in Egypt in 1928. The relationship between Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood is pivotal to understanding Hamas’s ideological foundation, organizational structure, and political objectives.
The Origins of Hamas
Hamas was formally established in December 1987, during the early stages of the First Intifada, a popular uprising against Israeli occupation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The founding of Hamas marked the formal entry of the Muslim Brotherhood into the Palestinian resistance movement. Before the creation of Hamas, the Muslim Brotherhood in Palestine primarily focused on social, religious, and educational activities rather than armed resistance.
The Brotherhood had been active in Palestine since the 1940s, establishing charitable organizations, schools, and mosques to promote Islamic values and address societal needs. However, the Six-Day War of 1967, which resulted in Israel's occupation of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem, created a political and social context that would eventually lead the Brotherhood to take a more active role in the national struggle.
Hamas emerged as a response to the growing demand for an Islamist-oriented resistance movement distinct from the secular nationalist factions, such as Fatah, which dominated the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). While the Muslim Brotherhood had traditionally avoided direct confrontation with Israel, the eruption of the First Intifada and the popular mobilization of Palestinians provided an opportunity to channel Islamist ideology into the resistance effort.
Ideological Foundations
Hamas’s ideological roots lie firmly within the principles of the Muslim Brotherhood. The organization’s charter, issued in 1988, explicitly acknowledges its connection to the Brotherhood, referring to it as the parent organization. The charter states: “The Islamic Resistance Movement is one of the wings of the Muslim Brotherhood in Palestine. The Muslim Brotherhood Movement is a global organization, the largest Islamic movement in modern times.”
The Muslim Brotherhood’s core ideology centers on the application of Islamic principles to all aspects of life, including politics, society, and governance. It seeks to establish a society governed by Sharia (Islamic law) and views Islam as a comprehensive system capable of addressing contemporary challenges. Hamas adopted this worldview, blending it with a focus on Palestinian nationalism and resistance to Israeli occupation.
Hamas’s integration of Islamist ideology with the Palestinian cause distinguishes it from other factions within the Palestinian resistance movement. Its rhetoric emphasizes the religious duty of jihad (struggle) against the occupation and frames the conflict as part of a broader struggle to defend Islamic lands and values.
Organizational Structure and Influence of the Muslim Brotherhood
Hamas’s organizational structure reflects the influence of the Muslim Brotherhood’s hierarchical and disciplined model. The movement operates through a network of committees and departments responsible for various aspects of its activities, including political leadership, military operations, social services, and propaganda.
The political bureau serves as Hamas’s highest decision-making body, while the military wing, known as the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, conducts armed operations against Israeli targets. This dual structure—combining political and military components—is a hallmark of the Muslim Brotherhood’s approach to activism, which emphasizes both grassroots engagement and strategic action.
The social and charitable work initiated by Hamas also mirrors the Brotherhood’s emphasis on community building. In Gaza, Hamas established schools, hospitals, and welfare programs to provide services to Palestinians, particularly those neglected by other organizations. These efforts not only address immediate needs but also build support for the movement among the population.
Hamas and the Brotherhood’s Global Network
While Hamas originated as a local branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, it has since evolved into a distinct organization with its own priorities and strategies. However, the connections between Hamas and the broader Muslim Brotherhood network remain significant.
The Brotherhood’s global network has provided Hamas with ideological inspiration, organizational guidance, and, at times, material support. Leaders of Hamas have maintained close ties with Brotherhood figures in the Arab world, particularly in Egypt, where the Brotherhood has been a major political force. These relationships have facilitated fundraising, recruitment, and coordination across borders.
However, Hamas’s role as a resistance movement in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has also led to tensions with the Brotherhood’s broader agenda. While the Brotherhood generally seeks gradual societal transformation and avoids direct confrontation with state authorities, Hamas’s commitment to armed resistance and its involvement in regional conflicts have sometimes diverged from the Brotherhood’s approach.
Regional and International Context
Hamas’s relationship with the Muslim Brotherhood has had significant implications for its regional and international positioning. The Arab Spring uprisings of the early 2010s, which brought the Brotherhood to power in several countries, initially bolstered Hamas’s standing. The election of Mohamed Morsi, a Brotherhood leader, as Egypt’s president in 2012 created a favorable environment for Hamas, as Egypt’s government provided political and logistical support to the movement.
However, the subsequent ousting of Morsi in 2013 and the rise of Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s government in Egypt marked a turning point. The Sisi regime designated the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization and cracked down on its activities, leading to increased isolation for Hamas. Similarly, other Arab states, such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, have viewed the Brotherhood and its affiliates, including Hamas, as threats to their political stability and have sought to curtail their influence.
Hamas’s Evolving Identity
Over time, Hamas has sought to project itself as a Palestinian nationalist movement with an Islamist identity, rather than merely a branch of the Muslim Brotherhood. In 2017, the organization issued a new policy document that distanced itself from the Brotherhood’s transnational agenda. The document emphasized Hamas’s focus on the Palestinian cause and presented a more pragmatic stance, including acceptance of a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders as a temporary solution.
This shift reflects Hamas’s efforts to navigate the complex political landscape of the Middle East and adapt to changing circumstances. While the ideological and historical ties to the Muslim Brotherhood remain an integral part of its identity, Hamas has increasingly asserted its independence as a distinct political and resistance movement.
Conclusion
Hamas’s origins in the Muslim Brotherhood highlight the interplay between Islamist ideology and Palestinian nationalism in shaping the movement’s trajectory. The Brotherhood’s influence provided Hamas with a framework for organizing its activities, building grassroots support, and articulating its vision for the Palestinian struggle. At the same time, Hamas has evolved in response to the unique challenges of its context, forging its own path as a key player in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Understanding the relationship between Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood is essential for comprehending the dynamics of Islamist movements in the Middle East and their role in the region’s political landscape. While the two entities share common roots, their divergent strategies and priorities underscore the complexity of their relationship and the broader challenges facing Islamist movements in the modern era.
No comments:
Post a Comment