Hamas is standing up for the sanctities of 2bn Muslims on its own, Qatari journalist says

Editor-in-chief of the Qatari Al-Sharq newspaper, Jaber Al-Harmi, has defended the Palestinian resistance movement, Hamas’, role in managing the besieged Gaza Strip since 2006, praising its steadfastness and ability to confront internal and external challenges.

In an article published yesterday, Al-Harmi said the movement bears great responsibilities in managing the Strip’s affairs, including education, health, culture, economy and security, despite the siege imposed on it by relatives and enemies alike.

“Hamas is facing an enemy that steals land, violates sanctities and commits crimes,” he said, stressing that the movement defends the sanctities of two billion Muslims around the world.

“Hamas manufactures its own weapons to confront the [Israeli] Zionist enemy, which receives unlimited military and political support from major countries, while it stands alone in its battle without public support or military supplies,” he added.

“Hamas negotiates with the enemy forcefully and without submission, and endures pressures that exceed the capabilities of entire countries, let alone a besieged movement,” he said.

He also praised the group’s media tactics despite limited capabilities, stressing that since its inception in 1987, it had put the interests of Palestine and the Palestinian people before its own interests or the interests of its leaders.

“Hamas leaders and their families were among the martyrs, starting with its founder Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, and then leaders such as Ismail Haniyeh, Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Deif, Saleh Al-Arouri, Marwan Issa, and hundreds of others who sacrificed their lives for Palestine,” he added.

Al-Harmi stressed that Hamas plays the role of a state in its foreign relations, organises its policies and attracts support, with a focus on limiting its battle with the Israeli occupation enemy to the land of Palestine, without interfering in the affairs of other countries or targeting them.

“I defend Palestine because it is my cause, and I defend those who defend it within the limits of values, morals and chivalry. Hamas is not infallible, but criticism must be objective,” he said, calling for putting oneself in the shoes of the movement’s leaders and understanding the challenges they face.

“By the way, Hamas is a besieged movement, not an influential state,” he concluded.

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