THESIS: The Palestinians support Hamas despite the repercussions of their actions, because the Palestinians support the creation of a Palestinian state, having grown tiresome of Fatah’s political stand, and are for the benefits of Hamas’s charitable agenda.
Argument 1: The Palestinians are for the creation of a sovereign Palestinian state by any means necessary.
-One of Hamas’s main goals was to take back all the land that was stolen from the Palestinians by the Israeli’s.[1]
-Hamas made a promise to Palestinians that all land would be given back that was stolen or illegally purchased[2]
-Israeli’s stole land illegally “ During the 6-day war, Israeli army setup in Palestinian towns then illegally converting them into Jewish settlements”[3]
Counter-Argument 1: Many critics can blame the Palestinians for illegally giving away their land in exchange for money.
-If Palestinians were giving away land for money, then they were making the issue of[4] Israeli settlers pointless because the Palestinians were initially causing the problem
-Palestinians only voted for Hamas because they needed some one to clean up for their mistakes[5]
Argument 2: Palestinians looked toward the leadership of Hamas because they were exhausted by the lack of work done by Fatah.
-Palestinians were tired of the corruption that was surrounding Fatahand Hamas supported this decision by under going an investigation[6]
-Palestinians accused Fatah of stealing money from foreign aid that was meant to help [7]reshape Palestinian lives
-Palestinians felt that Fatah was compromising too much to Israeli’s for nothing to benefit the people in return (felt Fatah were push overs) “ giving up more land to Israeli’s” [8]
-Must remember that a majority of Palestinians were in desperate need of change since 68% of Palestinians live in poverty[9]
-With Hamas in power, the Palestinians opinions can be voiced strong[10]
Counter Argument 2: Palestinians are aware of the many critics who believe Hamas is a terrorist organization and claim if the Palestinians truly understood the meaning of “terrorist” or “terrorism”, they would not have supported Hamas and voted them into power.
-Since the Palestinians voted for Hamas, some believe the conditions have got much worse[11]
-The West has claimed Hamas as a terrorist organization and then ultimately cutting off all aid to the Palestinians making the situation worse[12]
Argument 3: The Palestinians support Hamas because Hamas provides excellent social programs for its supporters and devoted followers.
-Hamas is the first political group the Palestinians have had who have taken a serious step in establishing a welfare program“ Hamas has made sure that citizens in the Gaza receive aid” [13]
-Hamas has also been pumping its own money into improving the Palestinian health care system[14] “New medical equipment and doctors”
-Hamas is also responsible for creating programs in the Gaza Strip for children (sports camps, summer camps, religious camps, and educational camps)[15]
-Hamas has instilled a brand new educational system providing schools with new teaching materials and making sure that every school has the proper books and utensils[16]
Counter Argument 3: Some could argue that Hamas is labeled as a terrorist organization and that they target young children because they are easier to brain wash into eventually committing Jihad and other violent crimes against Israeli’s.
-It is believed that Hamas is doing all of this charitable work for selfish reasons[17]
-Camps are designed to brain was children at a young age and trying to make them eventually commit crimes against Israeli’s[18]
-Hamas is creating these events to increase their chances to receive a second term in power[19]
[1]Herzog, Michael. "Can Hamas Be Tamed." Foreign Affairs (2006): 1-5
[2] Sebastian, Tim. Hamas: Khaled Mashal. 19 Apr. 2004. 9 Oct. 2007
<
[3] Amos, Harel., and Harol Amos . Ring Suspected of Trading in Stolen Palestinian Land.
[4] Ibid
[5] McGeal, Chris. Thwarted Hamas Turns from Bombs to Politics. 2 July 2004. 18 Sep.2007 <
[6] Horovitz, David. Why Palestinians Are Voting for Hamas. 13 Jan. 2006. 9 Oct. 2007
<
[7] Fisher, Ian. Exhaustion with Fatah Corruption, Hope for Hamas Change. 28 Jan. 2006. 5 Oct. 2007 <
[8] Ibid
[9] Kjielen, Tore M. Hamas. 14 June 2007. 12 Nov. 2007
<
[10] Mitnick , Joshua. Palestinian Charities Help Hamas Endure. 16 Oct. 2006. 25 Oct. 2007
<
[11] Gold, Dore. America's Hamas Dilemma: Spreading Democracy or Combating Terrorism? 1 Nov. 2005. 25 Nov. 2007 <
[12] Soros , George . Blinded by a Concept. 26 Aug. 2006. 12 Sep. 2007
<
[13] Horovitz, David. Why Palestinians Are Voting for Hamas. 13 Jan. 2006. 9 Oct. 2007
<
[14] Mitnick , Joshua. Palestinian Charities Help Hamas Endure. 16 Oct. 2006. 25 Oct. 2007
<
[15] Stannard, Matthew B. Hamas Camp: Sun, Fun. 31 July 2005. 9 Nov. 2007
<
[16] Ibid
[17] Ibid
[18] Ibid
[19] Stanly, Morgan. Council of Foriegn Affairs Hamas. 8 June 2007. 14 Sep. 2007 <