1. Hamas Oscar Pulido Steven Gutierrez Crystal Morales

2. Hamas Background • Arabic acronym for “The Islamic Resistance Movement” • Grew out of the Muslim Brotherhood • Created in 1987 by Shaikh Ahmed Yassin • Headquarters in Gaza City, Palestine

3. The Slogan of Hamas “God is it’s target, the Prophet is it’s model, the Qur’an it’s constitution: Jihad is it’s path and death for the sake of God is the loftiest of it’s wishes.”

4. Largest and most influential Palestinian militant movement Started out sponsoring extensive social services Separated into two branches Later would be known for suicide bombings Who are Hamas?

5. Goals • Hamas combines Palestinian nationalism with Islamic fundamentalism • Destruction of Israel • Replacement of Palestinian Authority with an Islamic state • Strive to raise the banner of Allah over every inch of Palestine

6. Leaders • Sheikh Ahmed Yassin • Abdel Aziz Rantisi • Khaled Mashal • Mahmoud Zahar • Ismail Haniyah

7. Born on January 1, 1929 in Jura, Palestine Founder of Hamas Sentenced to life in prison, released after 1 year Assassinated on March 22, 2004 by Israeli gunship helicopter “We chose this road, and will end with martyrdom or victory” Sheikh Ahmed Yassin

8. One of the founders of Hamas Doctor and lecturer at Islamic University Took leadership after Yassin’s death Assassinated on April 17, 2004 “Violent resistance is the only option for the restoration of our stolen rights” Abdel Aziz Rantisi

9. Born in Silwad, Ramallah Physics teacher Unofficial leader of Hamas Represents Hamas Internationally “Our nation is moving forward, and it is in your interest to respect a victorious nation” Khaled Mashal

10. Born in 1945 to a Palestinian father and an Egyptian Mother Yassin’s personal physician Senior official and spokesperson Secretly assigned to leadership after Rantisi’s assassination Mahmoud Zahar

11. Born January 1963 Degree in Arabic Literature Won the Palestinian legislative election of January 2006 Sworn in as Prime Minister More Moderate than previous Hamas leaders Ismail Haniyah

12. Political Ideology • Islamism • Nationalism • Religious Conservatism • Right Wing

13. Israelis in Palestine Jews Fatah Anyone opposed to the Islamic Movement Primary Targets

14. Hamas is believed to have killed more than 500 people in more than 350 separate terrorist attacks since 1993 Most of the killings were done by suicide bombers Also use mortars, short-range rockets, and small arms fire Attacks

15. Recruits do not fit the usual psychological profile of suicidal people Usually paid $3,000-$5,000 Recruits undergo intense religious indoctrination The average bombing costs about $150 Suicide Attacks

16. Hamas Finances • Palestinian expatriates and private donors in Saudi Arabia and other oil-rich Persian Gulf states. • Muslim Charities around the world • Iran also provides significant support

17. Recent Activity • 350 separate terrorist attacks since 1993 • January 15, 2004 – female suicide bomber • May 14, 2004 – double suicide bombers • Boycotted 2005 elections • Participated in 2006 elections

18. Potential Threat to U.S. • November 8, 2006 • Hamas called on Muslims around the world to attack American targets • No attacks on U.S. have been linked to Hamas

19. Video Hamas Children

20. References • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamas • http://www.cfr.org/publication/8968/ • http://web.lexis-nexis.com • http://www.fas.org/irp/world/para/hamas.htm • http://lexicorient.com/e.o/hamas.htm • http://www.youtube.com • http://www.camera.org