ABSTRACT
Hamas is different than other terrorist groups and Islamist political parties in that they do not operate in a sovereign state, the formal political power is divided between state and non-state actors, decisions made by local authorities are subject to approval by the occupation army, and the ruling elite only have security forces, but no real military. Hamas has used political violence against both Israel and its main political rival, Fatah, yet it won the 2006 election on a law, order and social welfare ticket. It pursues an Islamic state, yet holds internal elections and champions democracy. Today, Hamas is a fully fledged political party that officially holds 74 seats in the currently defunct Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), which also has an armed militia/terrorist group wing with the name Izzadin al-Qassam Brigades. Hamas focused on building its new political party, called the National Islamic Salvation Party, which would act as a legal and legitimate entity in Palestinian politics.
