Une brève histoire du Hamas | Le dessous des cartes | Une Leçon de géopolitique | ARTE

Summary

This insightful geopolitical discussion delves into the history and evolution of Hamas, from its founding in 1987 amid the First Intifada to its political rise, especially after winning the 2006 elections. The conversation explores the group's roots within the Muslim Brotherhood, its refusal to engage in peace processes like the Oslo Accords, and the resulting split between Gaza, controlled by Hamas, and the West Bank, controlled by the Palestinian Authority. Expert Laetitia Bucaille highlights the internal and external struggles of Hamas, its impact on Palestinian society, and the implications of the October 7, 2023 attacks. The video offers a comprehensive look at the political and social dynamics shaping the Israeli-Palestinian conflict today.

Takeaways

• 😀 Hamas scored lower in Gaza than in the West Bank in Palestinian political preference surveys.
• 😀 Hamas is considered a terrorist organization by the US and the EU and has governed Gaza since 2007.
• 😀 The Hamas movement was founded in 1987 as part of the First Intifada and was initially rooted in the Muslim Brotherhood's charity work in Gaza.
• 😀 Initially, Israel did not see Hamas as a significant threat, focusing more on countering the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO).
• 😀 In 1992, over 400 Hamas and Islamic Jihad members were expelled to southern Lebanon, where they connected with Hezbollah and received military training.
• 😀 Hamas rejected the 1993 Oslo Accords between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) and refused to participate in the 1996 Palestinian legislative elections.
• 😀 In 2005, Hamas shifted its stance and decided to participate in the 2006 elections, which led to their unexpected victory.
• 😀 Despite their electoral participation, Hamas did not change its core stance on Israel and continued to reject its legitimacy.
• 😀 The 2006 election victory resulted in a violent conflict with Fatah, leading to Hamas taking full control of Gaza after a brief civil war.
• 😀 Gaza under Hamas governance is isolated, with little interaction with the outside world, while Palestinians in the West Bank face fragmented territories due to Israeli settlements.
• 😀 Israel has adapted to the division between Gaza and the West Bank, managing Gaza through security measures while maintaining cooperation with the PA in the West Bank.
• 😀 After the October 7 massacre, Hamas gained temporary support in the West Bank, but its popularity in Gaza has significantly declined due to years of warfare, blockades, and suffering.

Q & A

When was Hamas created and what was its initial mission?

Hamas was created in December 1987, just after the beginning of the first Intifada. It was formed by members of the Muslim Brotherhood in Gaza, who initially had a quietist strategy focused on Islamizing society before confronting Israel. However, with the rise of the Intifada, Hamas saw an opportunity to engage directly in the Palestinian struggle.

How did Israel initially react to the creation of Hamas?

Initially, Israel did not perceive Hamas as a significant threat. At that time, Israel's main concern was countering the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), which they considered the main terrorist group. Israel did not see the Islamists as a major danger at first.

What happened in 1992 that was pivotal for Hamas?

In 1992, over 400 Palestinians, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad members, were expelled to southern Lebanon following the kidnapping and killing of an Israeli border guard. This event was crucial as it allowed Hamas members to connect with Hezbollah, which provided military training that would later shape Hamas’s capabilities.

How did Hamas react to the Oslo Accords of 1993?

Hamas strongly opposed the Oslo Accords, which were signed between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Hamas rejected the idea of recognizing Israel and called for the establishment of an Islamic state over all historic Palestine, from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea.

Why did Hamas change its stance and participate in elections in 2005?

Hamas's decision to participate in the 2005 elections was motivated by a strategic shift. It sought to present itself as a legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, challenging the Fatah movement, which had governed the Palestinian territories since the death of Yasser Arafat in 2004.

Did Hamas change its stance on Israel after participating in elections?

No, Hamas did not fully abandon its stance on Israel. Although some leaders of Hamas acknowledged Israel's existence and supported the idea of a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, the group’s official charter remained unchanged, maintaining its stance of rejecting Israel's right to exist.

What was the reaction of Fatah to Hamas's victory in the 2006 elections?

Fatah's reaction to Hamas's victory in the 2006 elections was hostile. Fatah refused to form a unity government with Hamas, and tensions escalated, leading to a violent confrontation between the two factions. Hamas ultimately defeated Fatah in Gaza, leading to the division of Palestinian territories into two separate governance regions.

How do the governance styles differ between Gaza and the West Bank?

In Gaza, under Hamas, the government is authoritarian, imposing strict Islamic law and controlling the population tightly, with limited recognition from the international community. In contrast, the West Bank, controlled by the Palestinian Authority led by Mahmoud Abbas, has a somewhat more functioning governance structure, though it remains fragmented by Israeli settlements and military control.

How does Israel view the split between Hamas in Gaza and the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank?

Israel has adapted to the fragmentation of Palestinian territories, with Gaza controlled by Hamas and the West Bank by the Palestinian Authority. While Israel maintains a security-focused approach to Gaza, it still cooperates with the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, particularly on security issues, despite the lack of active peace negotiations.

What is the current level of support for Hamas in Gaza compared to the West Bank?

Polling shows that Hamas enjoys significantly higher support in the West Bank than in Gaza. The people of Gaza have grown disillusioned with Hamas, who have failed to deliver prosperity or security, especially after the devastating wars and continuous Israeli bombardments. Many feel trapped under Hamas's rule.