What is the main argument of the book Hamas by Paola Caridi?
Caridi’s book “Hamas” challenges the simplistic view of the group as purely extremist. She argues that Hamas is a complex entity shaped by various factors and offers a comprehensive historical survey. Her insights into the group’s motivations and actions are crucial for understanding the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The book argues that Hamas’s rise to power was due to factors such as difficult conditions faced by Palestinians, the occupation of territories by Israeli forces, and the absence of a genuine Palestinian state. Provides a comprehensive understanding of how Hamas became a major political force in Palestine and beyond.
Hamas started as a political movement but became a more violent and militarized group over time, shifting focus from politics to terrorism. This has serious implications for regional security and highlights the need to address the root causes of extremism.
Caridi analyzes Hamas’ development from resistance to governance, highlighting the role of public opinion in decision-making.
Caridi’s analysis examines the impact of external factors on Hamas, including its relationship with Israel, other Palestinian factions, and the global community. Her research shows that actions by Israel and the international community have greatly influenced Hamas’s trajectory, such as nullifying their electoral win in 2006. This offers valuable insights into the organization’s evolution over time.
Despite her endorsement of Palestine’s pursuit of statehood, Caridi does not sanction the use of violent tactics implemented by Hamas. She scrutinizes both Hamas and Fatah for their inability to address the core problem of power sharing, institutional obligations, and liability. According to Caridi, this dearth of advancement is harmful to Palestine’s future potentialities and sabotages its likelihood of achieving statehood. In her perspective, resolving these inner conflicts is indispensable if Palestine intends to progress as a country and attain its longstanding aspirations for autonomy and self-determination.
