Hamas: Terrorism, Governance, and Its Future in Middle East Politics / Edition 1

by Jennifer Jefferis

Overview

Structured around key elements at the regional, political, institutional, and personal levels of analysis, this is a complete and forward-leaning view of Hamas that provides a deep and detailed examination of the history, ideology, political prospects, and regional opportunities of an often poorly understood organization that is redefining 21st-century terrorism.

The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has long been an influential player in the tumultuous Middle East, but as the region's instability grows, so does the importance and potential influence of this organization. The fact that the Hamas of today defies most of the traditional categorizations of both terrorist organizations and political parties makes the group an ideal study on how states in the Middle East are likely to continue to change. This book offers a clear picture of how Hamas fits into a dramatically evolving region, enabling readers to see how Hamas itself has evolved ideologically, militarily, and politically as well as how it will continue to shape and be shaped by the broader Middle East region.

Author Jennifer Jefferis, PhD, provides the first comprehensive consideration of Hamas in the context of the post-Arab Spring climate, the rise of ISIS, and the consequential emerging politics of the region, presenting information that is highly detailed yet written to be accessible to all audiences whether or not they have previous knowledge of the organization. The book provides coverage of Hamas's current relationship with Israel and its impact on the Palestinian territories while focusing on the significance of the organization's role in the broader region—particularly critical in light of the recent political uprisings in Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, and Syria.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781440839023
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	02/12/2016
Series:	Praeger Security International
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	224
Sales rank:	625,556
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.30(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Jennifer Jefferis, PhD, is an associate professor at the Near East and South Asia Center for Strategic Studies at the National Defense University in Washington, DC.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix

1 Introduction: An Organization on the Brink 1

2 Historical Context 7

3 Origins of a Movement 28

4 The Leadership of Hamas 47

5 Ideology of Hamas 71

6 Political Engagement 87

7 Military Engagement 107

8 Of Allies and Enemies 124

9 Conclusion: Hamas in the Future 143

Appendices

A Hamas Charter 149

B Hamas 2006 Electoral Campaign Platform 171

C Text of 2011 Hamas Fatah National Reconciliation Accord 177

D Unity Agreement between Hamas and Fatah, April 23, 2014 179

Notes 183

Bibliography 197

Index 205

Editorial Reviews

This is a comprehensive and balanced account of the origins and evolution of the Palestinian Hamas.” —Perspectives on Terrorism

From the Publisher