Hamas: A Beginner's Guide

'This short, timely introduction provides a history of the movement, a rundown of key policies, sketches of key figures ... Hroub's aim is to "debunk" western misconceptions by depicting what he calls "the real Hamas": embedded in the community by its social arms, and driven to suicide bombing by Israeli intransigence. [Yet] Hroub is not afraid to voice criticism or disquiet.' Guardian 'This book could not be timelier. Khaled Hroub expertly answers every important question about Hamas and insightfully explains its ideology, organisation and appeal. Concise, lucid and invaluable.' James Piscatori, Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies The U.S. views Hamas as a terrorist organisation. Yet, to the great surprise of many, Hamas swept to victory in the 2006 Palestinian Authority elections. Hamas is now a democractically elected political party. This is the first beginner's guide to this controversial political organisation. Explaining the reasons for Hamas's success, this book provides the key facts that are so often missing from conventional news reports. It's a one-stop guide that gives a clear overview of Hamas's history, key beliefs, and its political agenda. Written by a leading Al-Jazeera journalist and Cambridge academic, this unique book provides a refreshing perspective that gets to the heart of the reasons behind Hamas's victory. It provides a critical overview of Hamas's attitudes to Israel, including religious beliefs and suicide bombings, its attitude to the PLO and its programme of grassroots social work within Palestine. The reality of Hamas's victory means that the West will now have to engage with it more seriously if there is to be peace in the Middle East. This book provides the first essential step towards a better understanding of the challenges and suprises that the future may hold. Praise for Khaled Hroub's previous book, Hamas: Political Thought and Practice: '[Hroub's] in-depth and dispassionate presentation of the Hamas doctrine is masterful.' Foreign Affairs 'The best-researched and most objective study.' Joseph Massad, Columbia University

Table of Contents:
Introduction 1. Hamas’s history Islamism and the Palestinian struggle The Muslim Brotherhood: the roots of Hamas The formation of Hamas 2. Hamas’s ideology and objectives Hamas’s ideological drive and worldview Hamas: a national liberation movement or a religious movement? 3. Hamas and Israel and Judaism Hamas’s view of the Jews Hamas’s view of Israel 4. Hamas’s resistance and military strategy Forcing unconditional Israeli withdrawal Suicide attacks 5. Hamas’s political and social strategy Grassroots social work Elections, democracy and mobilisation Hamas’s economic outlook 6. Hamas and the Palestinians Hamas’s popularity Hamas and secular Palestinian movements What is Hamas’s view and relationship with Palestinian Christians? 7. Hamas and ‘International Islamism’ Hamas and Muslim countries Hamas and Muslim communities in the West Hamas and Islamist movements 8. Hamas and the West Hamas and the West Hamas and the United States Hamas and Europe 9. Hamas’s Leadership and Structure Leadership Hamas’s Charter 10. The New Hamas What do we mean by the New Hamas? The future of Hamas Index

About the Author :
Khaled Hroub is a Palestinian, born into a refugee camp in Bethlehem. He is director of the Arab Media Project at Cambridge University and is the author of Hamas: A Beginner's Guide (Pluto, 2010).

Review :
It is written in a simple question and answer format which makes it very accessible to the most casual reader. Hroub provides insightful, in-depth and dispassionate explanations for each and every question. His own perception of Hamas goes beyond his own stand of being with or against the movement. This short, timely introduction provides a history of the movement, a rundown of key policies, sketches of key figures, and an assessment of how it will be changed by winning parliamentary elections ... Hroub's aim is to "debunk" western misconceptions by depicting what he calls "the real Hamas": embedded in the community by its social arms, and driven to suicide bombing by Israeli intransigence. The choice of Palestinian colours for the book's jacket suggests a partisan account, but Hroub is not afraid to voice criticism or disquiet. This book could not be timelier. Drawing on his deep understanding of politics and religion in Palestine, Khaled Hroub expertly answers every important question about Hamas and insightfully explains its ideology, organisation and appeal. This is precisely the sort of concise and lucid account that all who are concerned about Hamas's recent electoral victory and its impact on the peace process will find invaluable. Khaled Hroub, whose work on Hamas is exceptional, has written a lucid, informative and extremely valuable introduction to this complex and often misunderstood organization. Hroub covers key issues and addresses critical questions in a thoughtful and accessible manner, leaving the reader better informed and prepared to pursue further reasoned inquiry. Hroub takes the dispassionate view in the form of a question and answer session. Questions range from 'In Hamas' view, what would be the future of the Jews in Palestine?' to 'What is the relationship between the political and military wings of Hamas?' and Hroub answers most while filling us in on Hamas' slow rise to power over the last two decades.