Changes

== History ==

== History ==

Hamas was founded by terrorist Sheikh Ahmed Yassin as the [[Egypt|Egyptian]] [[Muslim Brotherhood|Muslim Brotherhood's]] local political arm in December 1987, following the outbreak of the first [[intifada]]. Hamas published its official charter in 1988. From the 1990s it achieved notoriety for its use of the tactic of [[suicide bombing]], principally against civilian targets in Israel. Hamas members started carrying out terrorist attacks starting in the late '80s, at first in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The first Hamas suicide bombing took place on April 26 1993, when Saher al-tamam attacked two Israeli buses in front of a coffee shop in Mehola, killing and injuring several Israelis. It is believed to have killed more than 1500 people in more than 350 separate terrorist attacks since then.  

Hamas was founded by terrorist Sheik Ahmed Yassin as the [[Egypt|Egyptian]] [[Muslim Brotherhood|Muslim Brotherhood's]] local political arm in December 1987, following the outbreak of the first [[intifada]]. Hamas published its official charter in 1988. From the 1990s it achieved notoriety for its use of the tactic of [[suicide bombing]], principally against civilian targets in Israel. Hamas members started carrying out terrorist attacks starting in the late '80s, at first in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The first Hamas suicide bombing took place on April 26 1993, when Saher al-tamam attacked two Israeli buses in front of a coffee shop in Mehola, killing and injuring several Israelis. It is believed to have killed more than 1500 people in more than 350 separate terrorist attacks since then.  

 

=== Opinion of Fatah ===

=== Opinion of Fatah ===

=== Islam ===

=== Islam ===

Like the [[Muslim Brotherhood]], which Hamas branched off from, Hamas believes the rules of Islam, or the [[Sharia]] to be a sufficient guide for all areas of life. Since Hamas sees Islam as a sufficent guide for all areas in life, and as a way of life, they, as the Covenant of Hamas says, tries to make Islam its programme.<ref>http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Hamas_Covenant</ref>

Like the [[Muslim Brotherhood]], which Hamas branched off from, Hamas believes the rules of Islam, or the [[Sharia]] to be a sufficient guide for all areas of life. Since Hamas sees Islam as a sufficent guide for all areas in life, and as a way of life, they, as the Covenant of Hamas says, tries to make Islam its programme.<ref>http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Hamas_Covenant</ref>

=== Freemasons, Lions Club and the Rotarians ===

=== Freemasons, Lions Club and the Rotarians ===

=== Allegations of Anti-Semetism ===

The group has some anti-semetic beliefs such as Jews as plotting to control the world, Jews acquir wealth by stealing, that the Jews control the media, government and finance.<ref>http://www.adl.org/PresRele/IslME_62/4877_62.htm</ref> Also, the co-creator of Hamas said that the Holocaust is the greatest of lies created by the Zionists.<ref>http://www.imra.org.il/story.php3?id=18086</ref>

 

=== Anti-Semitism ===

 

The group has anti-semitic beliefs such as Jews as plotting to control the world, Jews acquire wealth by stealing, that the Jews control the media, government and finance.<ref>http://www.adl.org/PresRele/IslME_62/4877_62.htm</ref> Also, the co-creator of Hamas said that the Holocaust is the greatest of lies created by the Zionists.<ref>http://www.imra.org.il/story.php3?id=18086</ref>

== Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades ==

===Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades===

In 1991, Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades became the armed branch of the group Hamas. It is names after Ezzedeen Al-Qassam, an Islamic militant who was killed in 1935. The stated goals of the brigade are as followed:to fight Israel, take over Israel, and invoke a spirit of Jihad among the Palestinians. The group is made up of many different cells. Secrecy is important, and sometimes cells do not know what other cells are doing. The group said by September of 2000, more than 800 of its members had been killed. The leader of the militant wing is Muhamad Deif.<ref>http://www.alqassam.ps/english/?action=aboutus</ref>

In 1991, Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades became the armed branch of the group Hamas. It is names after Ezzedeen Al-Qassam, an Islamic militant who was killed in 1935. The stated goals of the brigade are as followed:to fight Israel, take over Israel, and invoke a spirit of Jihad among the Palestinians. The group is made up of many different cells. Secrecy is important, and sometimes cells do not know what other cells are doing. The group said by September of 2000, more than 800 of its members had been killed. The leader of the militant wing is Muhamad Deif.<ref>http://www.alqassam.ps/english/?action=aboutus</ref>

== Social programs ==

===Social Programs ===

Hamas conducts numerous social welfare actions, known as ''Dawa'', including relief and education programs, school funding, soup kitchens, and sports leagues. These programs are viewed as propaganda and recruitment exercises, or both. In December 2001, the Bush administration seized the assets of the Holy Land Foundation, the largest Muslim charity in the United States, upon finding proof it was funding Hamas.<ref>''ibid.''</ref>  

Hamas conducts numerous social welfare actions, known as ''Dawa'', including relief and education programs, school funding, soup kitchens, and sports leagues. These programs are viewed as propaganda and recruitment exercises, or both. In December 2001, the Bush administration seized the assets of the Holy Land Foundation, the largest Muslim charity in the United States, upon finding proof it was funding Hamas.<ref>''ibid.''</ref>  

== Popularity ==

=== Popularity ===

Hamas is still popular among many Palestinian people, but it is not as popular as it was at one point in time. Their total unwillingness to negotiate with the nation of [[Israel]] has weakend Hamas's support. The people are starting to get weary of the violence there.<ref>http://www.cfr.org/publication/8968/#12</ref>

 

Hamas is still fairly popular among many Palestinian people, but it is not as popular as it was at one point in time. Their total unwillingness to negotiate with the nation of [[Israel]] has weakend Hamas's support. The people are starting to get weary of the violence there.<ref>http://www.cfr.org/publication/8968/#12</ref>

In January of 2006 the political wing of Hamas won many seats in the Palestinian elections.<ref>http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2006/02/mil-060218-voa05.htm</ref>

In January of 2006 the political wing of Hamas won many seats in the Palestinian elections.<ref>http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2006/02/mil-060218-voa05.htm</ref>

==References==

==References==

[[Category:Politics]][[Category:Terrorists]]

 

[[Category:Politics]]

[[Category:Terrorists]]