Hamas is an active militant group, but it is also a major political party in Gaza. The goal of Hamas is an Islamic fundamentalist Palestinian state. In the eyes of some, especially its targets, Hamas is seen as a terrorist group, but to the eyes of others, Hamas is seen as a freedom fighter group. There is an argument for both statements, and this is yet another example that proves that terrorism is in the eye of the beholder, and that perspective has a great impact on whether an act is considered terrorism, and whether a person is considered a terrorist or a freedom fighter. In the eyes of many, Hamas is simply a reckless and cruel terrorist organization, but in the eyes of others, Hamas is a group of brave freedom fighters.
There are certain things that are characteristics of a terrorist. A terrorist, or terrorist group, will always use terror and violence as means to an end. In addition, fear is used as a tactic. The death of innocent civilians is almost always inevitable, whether it be purposeful and part of the plan to instill fear, or whether it be a simple side effect of the main goal. Collateral damage is unavoidable. Terrorism, by the definition of some, is almost always politically motivated. Lastly, it is committed usually by non-state actors.
On the other hand, there are certain characteristics that are associated with freedom fighters. A freedom fighter is usually fighting on behalf of a repressed population. The goal of a freedom fighter is to correct historical “wrongs”. A freedom fighter goes to extreme lengths to fight for the people that it is representing. After all, the freedom fighter is fighting for freedom, regardless of if the actor is taking desperate measures.
Hamas is considered a terrorist organization by most of the world. Throughout the years, a large quantity of lives, even innocent lives, has been taken. Several conflicts have occurred, and most of the world does not look at Hamas in a favorable light. Hamas has used cruel tactics. War crimes have been committed by this organization, and countless violations of humanity have as well. While most of the world sees Hamas as a terrorist organization, the following reasons are the reasons why Hamas could be seen as a freedom fighter group.
As mentioned earlier in this post, a freedom fighter will go to great lengths to correct any historical “wrongs”. In the eyes of Hamas, and its supporters, the group is doing exactly that. Palestine “should” be theirs, in their opinion. They were forced out of their land, and suffered being treated poorly in the past. In the eyes of Hamas, and its supporters, the aggressor is technically Israel, and Islam has suffered damages due to Israel. Hamas translates to the word “zeal”, and whether seen as a positive thing, or a negative thing, zeal is something that the group surely possesses.
Wendy I really liked reading your post!
ReplyDeleteI think this line between freedom fighter and terrorist is based on point of view.
What do you personally believe about Hamas being a terrorist group or not?
Would you agree with Lisa Stampnitzky article we read in the beginning of the year? Based on everything we have gone over so far this year I believe that Stapnitzky's view on terrorism is completely right that it is a word used by the government to chastise an enemy and deem a certain group as evil. You're post made a good points and one quote I liked from a previous article is the one about one person's freedom fighter is another's terrorist. It shows exactly how point of view is everything.
I think this post tackles one of the most difficult topics to debate in politics today. One could have easily called the militias in the American Revolution terrorists. But they are not remembered that way.
ReplyDeleteI think that the split between freedom fighter and terrorist, like AnFei said, is based on point of view. If we call HAMAS terrorists, we no longer have to negotiate with them. 'Kill' tactics become much more accepted and encouraged. Everyone will be up in arms over killing freedom fighters, but no one cares if a terrorist dies.
I to am curious if you think HAMAS is a terrorist group or not? I think there are arguments to be made both ways. Also, do you think it is possible for a terrorist group, to become a freedom fighter group, or once they are on the list, they can never come off?
Like Brady and Anfei, I also liked how you clarify the line between a terrorist and a freedom fighter. I think the PLO/HAMAS case is an interesting case to look at because it involves territory and religion which are the cause of many conflicts and wars throughout history.
ReplyDeleteAlso like Brady and Anfei, I am curious about your opinion on whether HAMAS is a group of terrorists or freedom fighters. If the members are freedom fighters, do you think they would have earned more legitimacy and/or "sympathy" from international groups/nations such as the US or the United Nations?
I love how you establish a boundary between freedom fighters and terrorists, because that is something I have always struggled to look past. I think you began hinting at a great point without stating it, in which perspective matters when determining the classification of these organizations as either terrorist or freedom fighter. At the beginning of class this semester, Professor Shrik said a quote that, "One man's freedom fighter is another man's terrorist", and that has deeply effected my outlook on these groups. Where many are wronged and can be seen as freedom fighters at first, I feel they eventually begin to abuse their power, which is where the shift to a terrorist organization begins. Like the others, I'm very curious to know whether you think HAMAS is a freedom fighter group or a terrorist group.
ReplyDelete