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Who is behind Hamas?
Reader comment on item: Can Hezbollah and Hamas Be Democratic?

Submitted by Werner (United States), Mar 23, 2005 at 18:52

The source of the early leaders of Hamas was the Muslim Brotherhood and it defined itself as the Palestinian Branch of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Funds for the charity part may (I guess as a matter of fact) be channelled to the terrorist wing.

The grip Hamas has on the population is through charity and through firebrand sermons in mosques, propaganda through other institutions and through leaflets distributetd through other means. Additionally through assasinations of palestiniaens who work for peace and cooperation with Israel.

Hamas has financial backing from Saudi Arabia (probably 'NGOs') as well as from Gulf states (and also in part by Iran)

As Hamas therefore is embedded in larger movements and organisations, prior to a democratization there has to be an isolation of Hamas first of the Muslim Brotherhood then of SA and other fundamentalist nations. Also the grip on un- und misinformed Palestiniand has to be broken Palistinians have to have access to other information. Hate sermons etc. have to be outlawed.

I think the key to a democatization of Hamas is the grassroot opinion and the breaking of its funding through islamist organizations as well as a strong security force which can handle the terrorist part of Hamas.

I believe, if there is a democratic process in Palestine, and Hamas is excluded it will lead to a civil war.

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".

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Reader comments (54) on this item

Title By Date
It is now Feb 2010, 5 yrs. after the question was asked "Can hamas be democratic?" it is still , NO ! ! ! [100 words]Phil GreendFeb 11, 2010 02:00
Hitler & Allende [104 words]Frank K. BelloJan 28, 2006 06:09
Compare with Communists [394 words]Tara MayaMay 31, 2005 01:03
Thanks to Arlinda De Angelis ,Mr Octavio Johanson and to Rachel [124 words]Haddad AlfredApr 2, 2005 10:06
Additional Terrorist Examples [82 words]Abraham IrwinMar 30, 2005 10:41
In answer to Ms Arlinda DeAngelis [51 words]RachelleMar 29, 2005 12:45
Some questions [181 words]RachelleMar 28, 2005 04:57
For Rachelle [8 words]stuart opotowskyJan 18, 2008 18:50
In response to Haddad [36 words]Arlinda DeAngelisMar 26, 2005 20:46
Bravo ! [42 words]HaddadMar 26, 2005 14:32
Democracy vs. Autocracy [48 words]Ben LeitnerMar 26, 2005 03:02
Reality [156 words]BobMar 25, 2005 15:33
What price democracy without LAW ? [211 words]JonMar 24, 2005 11:14
Examples of democratically elected totalitarians. [80 words]John Vander VoortMar 24, 2005 10:04
Hindu suffering [61 words]S.C.PandaMar 24, 2005 07:02
⇒ Who is behind Hamas? [218 words]WernerMar 23, 2005 18:52
Were the American colonists the exception? [174 words]PatMar 23, 2005 17:19
Critical Points [39 words]Matania GinosarMar 23, 2005 16:29
Explaining American Presidents - The Legacy Issue [399 words]Boris CelserMar 23, 2005 11:49
How soon we forget [155 words]Darwin BarrettMar 23, 2005 11:45
I need more sleep! [86 words]VashtiMar 23, 2005 11:07
Democratic suicide [21 words]Aaron RosloffMar 23, 2005 10:13
Response to Mr Ruben Holsteinburg [70 words]Jacob CarmielMar 23, 2005 10:09
No, They Cannot [58 words]Srini VaradarajanMar 23, 2005 08:09
Unfortunately, those who share Daniel Pipes's views are in a minority [152 words]Octavio JohansonMar 23, 2005 07:01
Democracy and Totalitarianism [318 words]Arlinda DeAngelisMar 23, 2005 01:13
Democratic Hamas, etal? [51 words]Carole BolotinMar 22, 2005 20:53
Conservatives can't come to grips with the problem. [138 words]Jason PappasMar 22, 2005 20:34
Why are our 'Leaders' so clueless? [26 words]Father of 2 boys in Army, 3rd joining Air Force soonMar 22, 2005 20:27
Controversial Issue: Hezbollah as a terrorist organisation? [69 words]A. AtraschMar 22, 2005 18:38
Is banning Hezbollah and Hamas realistic? [199 words]Emmanuel ParelloMar 22, 2005 18:33
Justice Jackson's Dissent [758 words]Daniel W. WeilMar 22, 2005 18:08
Can Hezbullah be democratic? [234 words]Anthony LetayfMar 22, 2005 18:04
The Iranian/Syrian backed Islamist Hezbollah Monster [706 words]FreeNov 27, 2006 14:10
Muslims must embrace democracy [145 words]Ruben HolsteinburgMar 22, 2005 17:39
Islamists can't be democratic [471 words]Quennel GaleMar 22, 2005 17:26
But Democracy gives Legitimacy to those who would crush Terrorists [79 words]ScottMar 22, 2005 17:25
Remember Oslo [188 words]Dave M. O'NeillMar 22, 2005 16:47
An open question to all readers [161 words]Octavio JohansonMar 22, 2005 16:22
What about Fatah? [81 words]WernerMar 22, 2005 14:56
Being Skeptical may not be enough [264 words]Nick WiesenfeldMar 22, 2005 14:31
Transformation possible or not [167 words]WernerMar 22, 2005 14:10
Can Hezbollah and Hamas Be Democratic? [112 words]Rachelle AssoulineMar 22, 2005 14:05
There can be no peace [138 words]W.Mar 22, 2005 13:33
If Hezbollah and Hamas were violent white groups, there would be a stronger reaction [103 words]Octavio JohansonMar 22, 2005 13:33
Educate them and give them a chance [136 words]Thani Al-ShirawiMar 22, 2005 12:00
Look deeper [55 words]George ValdshteinMar 22, 2005 11:53
A question
[w/response] [75 words]
David JonesMar 22, 2005 11:43
Limits [86 words]Lyle SykoraMar 22, 2005 11:39
Confirmation [73 words]DeirdreMar 22, 2005 10:57
Skeptical also [152 words]AMar 22, 2005 10:28
Terrorists do not believe in democracy [27 words]B. AlotaibiMar 22, 2005 09:55
Can terrrorist organizations become "democratic"? [45 words]Donald W. BalesMar 22, 2005 09:38
Unpleasant facts of life [134 words]Peter J. HerzMar 22, 2005 09:11

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Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".

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