Hamas Oscar Pulido Steven Gutierrez Crystal Morales

Arabic acronym for “The Islamic Arabic acronym for “The Islamic Resistance Movement” Resistance Movement” Grew out of the Muslim Brotherhood Grew out of the Muslim Brotherhood Created in 1987 by Shaikh Ahmed Yassin Created in 1987 by Shaikh Ahmed Yassin Headquarters in Gaza City, Palestine Headquarters in Gaza City, Palestine Hamas Background

The Slogan of Hamas “God is it’s target, the Prophet is it’s model, the Qur’an it’s constitution: Jihad is it’s path and death for the sake of God is the loftiest of it’s wishes.”

Who are Hamas? Largest and most influential Palestinian militant movement Largest and most influential Palestinian militant movement Started out sponsoring extensive social services Started out sponsoring extensive social services Separated into two branches Separated into two branches Later would be known for suicide bombings Later would be known for suicide bombings

Goals Hamas combines Palestinian nationalism with Islamic fundamentalism Hamas combines Palestinian nationalism with Islamic fundamentalism Destruction of Israel Destruction of Israel Replacement of Palestinian Authority with an Islamic state Replacement of Palestinian Authority with an Islamic state Strive to raise the banner of Allah over every inch of Palestine Strive to raise the banner of Allah over every inch of Palestine

Leaders Sheikh Ahmed Yassin Sheikh Ahmed Yassin Abdel Aziz Rantisi Abdel Aziz Rantisi Khaled Mashal Khaled Mashal Mahmoud Zahar Mahmoud Zahar Ismail Haniyah Ismail Haniyah

Sheikh Ahmed Yassin Born on January 1, 1929 in Jura, Palestine Born on January 1, 1929 in Jura, Palestine Founder of Hamas Founder of Hamas Sentenced to life in prison, released after 1 year Sentenced to life in prison, released after 1 year Assassinated on March 22, 2004 by Israeli gunship helicopter Assassinated on March 22, 2004 by Israeli gunship helicopter “We chose this road, and will end with martyrdom or victory”

Abdel Aziz Rantisi One of the founders of Hamas One of the founders of Hamas Doctor and lecturer at Islamic University Doctor and lecturer at Islamic University Took leadership after Yassin’s death Took leadership after Yassin’s death Assassinated on April 17, 2004 Assassinated on April 17, 2004 “Violent resistance is the only option for the restoration of our stolen rights”

Khaled Mashal Born in Silwad, Ramallah Born in Silwad, Ramallah Physics teacher Physics teacher Unofficial leader of Hamas Unofficial leader of Hamas Represents Hamas Internationally Represents Hamas Internationally “Our nation is moving forward, and it is in your interest to respect a victorious nation”

Mahmoud Zahar Born in 1945 to a Palestinian father and an Egyptian Mother Born in 1945 to a Palestinian father and an Egyptian Mother Yassin’s personal physician Yassin’s personal physician Senior official and spokesperson Senior official and spokesperson Secretly assigned to leadership after Rantisi’s assassination Secretly assigned to leadership after Rantisi’s assassination

Ismail Haniyah Born January 1963 Born January 1963 Degree in Arabic Literature Degree in Arabic Literature Won the Palestinian legislative election of January 2006 Won the Palestinian legislative election of January 2006 Sworn in as Prime Minister Sworn in as Prime Minister More Moderate than previous Hamas leaders More Moderate than previous Hamas leaders

Political Ideology Islamism Islamism Nationalism Nationalism Religious Religious Conservatism Conservatism Right Wing Right Wing

Primary Targets Israelis in Palestine Israelis in Palestine Jews Jews Fatah Fatah Anyone opposed to the Islamic Movement Anyone opposed to the Islamic Movement

Attacks Hamas is believed to have killed more than 500 people in more than 350 separate terrorist attacks since 1993 Hamas is believed to have killed more than 500 people in more than 350 separate terrorist attacks since 1993 Most of the killings were done by suicide bombers Most of the killings were done by suicide bombers Also use mortars, short-range rockets, and small arms fire Also use mortars, short-range rockets, and small arms fire

Suicide Attacks Recruits do not fit the usual psychological profile of suicidal people Recruits do not fit the usual psychological profile of suicidal people Usually paid $3,000- $5,000 Usually paid $3,000- $5,000 Recruits undergo intense religious indoctrination Recruits undergo intense religious indoctrination The average bombing costs about $150 The average bombing costs about $150

Hamas Finances Palestinian expatriates and private donors in Saudi Arabia and other oil-rich Persian Gulf states. Palestinian expatriates and private donors in Saudi Arabia and other oil-rich Persian Gulf states. Muslim Charities around the world Muslim Charities around the world Iran also provides significant support Iran also provides significant support

Recent Activity 350 separate terrorist attacks since separate terrorist attacks since 1993 January 15, 2004 – female suicide bomber January 15, 2004 – female suicide bomber May 14, 2004 – double suicide bombers May 14, 2004 – double suicide bombers Boycotted 2005 elections Boycotted 2005 elections Participated in 2006 Participated in 2006 elections elections

Potential Threat to U.S. November 8, 2006 November 8, 2006 Hamas called on Muslims around the world to attack American targets Hamas called on Muslims around the world to attack American targets No attacks on U.S. have been linked to Hamas No attacks on U.S. have been linked to Hamas

Video Hamas Children

References