The Palestinian Hamas - by Shaul Mishal & Avraham Sela (Paperback)

About the Book

Two Israeli experts show that, contrary to its image, Hamas is essentially a social and political movement, providing extensive community services and responding constantly to political realities through bargaining and power brokering.

Book Synopsis

In The Palestinian Hamas, Shaul Mishal and Avraham Sela show that, contrary to its violent image, Hamas (the Islamic Resistance Movement) is essentially a social and political organization, providing extensive community services and responding to political realities through bargaining and power brokering. The authors lift the veil on Hamas's strategic decision-making methods at each of the crucial crossroads it has confronted: the Intifada and the struggle with the PLO, the Oslo accords and the establishment of the Palestinian National Authority, and the choice between absolute jihad against Israel and controlled violence. Now with a new introduction, this book does much to contextualize the current ascendancy of this controversial movement.

Review Quotes

A necessary read.--Sanford R. Silverburg "Digest of Middle East Studies"

This book does much to contextualize this controversial political movement.-- "Interaction"

This work makes a significant and long overdue contribution to scholarship on Hamas and Islamist groups.... Mishal and Sela have made here an excellent contribution to the field with a thoughtful, analytical, and well-documented case study which goes far in revealing a realist, 'de-demonized' Hamas.-- "Middle East Journal"

Clearly the best book on the subject.--David Remnick, editor in chief of the New Yorker

Two Israeli scholars weigh in with a provocative argument that runs counter to much of the false received wisdom on the subject.... A convincing intervention in the public debate regarding Hamas--a debate that is mainly dominated by the group's demonization.--Rashid Khalidi, author of Palestinian Identity

About the Author

Shaul Mishal is professor in the Department of Political Science at Tel Aviv University and director of the Institute for Israeli Arab Studies.

Avraham Sela is professor of Middle Eastern studies in the Department of International Relations and research fellow at the Harry S. Truman Institute for the Advancement of Peace, both at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.