Palestinians have challenged the dynamics of resistance

As Hamas celebrated the 28th anniversary since its inception, the resistance movement has reiterated its aims departing from the context of the current uprising in the West Bank, the fact that the masses have, this time, eclipsed all Palestinian resistance factions and carved their own niche in resisting Israeli state and settler violence.

Against the backdrop of massive celebrations in Gaza, Hamas officials stressed the movement’s role in shaping resistance and referred to its politics as flexible and balanced without detracting from its core principles.

In comments published on the Hamas website, vice chairman Ismail Haniyeh declared: “Hamas still holds to the original goals and constants it set to achieve 28 years ago, yet it also demonstrates a great deal of resilience and experience.” Historically, Hamas has indeed been the target of several Israeli attempts at destroying the movement, particularly through Israel’s speciality of targeted assassinations which allowed the colonial entity to manipulate security rhetoric within an international perspective.

Hamas has indeed demonstrated an ability to focus on diverse areas apart from armed resistance, thus garnering a solid foundation of support, especially in the absence of an alternative and formidable Palestinian leadership. The icon of resistance, however, has at times distanced itself from its foundations, creating a space of contradictory assertions which were particularly evident during the process leading to the formation of the Palestinian unity government, where Hamas unfortunately substituted the premise of unity based upon resistance for one built upon diplomatic concessions.

In reaffirming its commitments towards Palestine, Hamas has noticeably eliminated anti-colonial struggle, limiting its expression to refusing to recognise the Israeli occupation, which differs from an outright refusal to recognise Israel. Although this variation is in line with the concessions made during the formation of the unity government, in which the 1967 borders became an established and externally imposed condition assimilated to from within the cradle of contemporary resistance, it detracts from the original aims of Hamas to stand for entire liberation.

The defining characteristic of Hamas in recent years has been its ability to withstand the illegal blockade imposed upon Gaza, as well as its steadfast defence of the enclave during times of aggression. However, if Hamas is to achieve any internal equilibrium which can be disseminated in a practical and inclusionary manner for Palestinians, it is important for the movement to avoid its coveted descriptions of an entity capable of defending Gaza within the context of visible and widely disseminated colonial aggressions that have happened at regular intervals.

Even if Hamas is still “embraced by the Palestinian people,” as stated on its website, the current intifada, which has provided the movement with a context through which to articulate its historical and current endeavours, should serve as a decisive point to rethink the mellowing of its original aims. Its popularity is not at stake; however it is clear that Palestinians have demonstrated the ability to look no further than their own society for resistance. It is not enough for the movement to declare that Hamas is here to stay amidst assertions of discourse indicating partial Palestinian independence. It therefore stands to reason that a stronger response other than rhetoric is necessary from all resistance movements in the current context, but most importantly from Hamas, given its visibility, coordination and extensive role in cultivating strategy that encompasses various aspects of Palestinian society.

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.