Location
Stephen F Austin State University, Baker Pattillo Student Center, Twilight and Grand Ballrooms
Start Date
10-4-2012 4:00 PM
End Date
10-4-2012 8:00 PM
Description
In 2004 the Palestinian terrorist group, Hamas, took part in municipal elections and since then they have continued to gain more political influence. Because of the recent political activity of Hamas it is relevant to revaluate Bruce Hoffman's assertion that Hamas is a religious terrorist group. By using the same three criteria that Hoffman used originally, (use of violence, the intended audience, and self perception) and comparing them to the current actions of Hamas it is evident that Hoffman is no longer correct and that Hamas should now be classified as a secular terrorist group. Categorizing the group correctly is important because the policies used to deal with terrorist groups are different depending on which type they are. This study compares Hamas to Al Qaeda to show the difference between a religious terrorist group and a secular group. Because Hamas and their goals have changed, U.S. policies toward them must also change so that the peace process between Israel and Palestine is not hampered by the USA's policies that no longer apply.
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Is Hamas a Religious Terrorist Group?
Stephen F Austin State University, Baker Pattillo Student Center, Twilight and Grand Ballrooms
In 2004 the Palestinian terrorist group, Hamas, took part in municipal elections and since then they have continued to gain more political influence. Because of the recent political activity of Hamas it is relevant to revaluate Bruce Hoffman's assertion that Hamas is a religious terrorist group. By using the same three criteria that Hoffman used originally, (use of violence, the intended audience, and self perception) and comparing them to the current actions of Hamas it is evident that Hoffman is no longer correct and that Hamas should now be classified as a secular terrorist group. Categorizing the group correctly is important because the policies used to deal with terrorist groups are different depending on which type they are. This study compares Hamas to Al Qaeda to show the difference between a religious terrorist group and a secular group. Because Hamas and their goals have changed, U.S. policies toward them must also change so that the peace process between Israel and Palestine is not hampered by the USA's policies that no longer apply.
