ABSTRACT
Introduction This chapter is divided into two parts, with the first exploring the notion of ‘resistance’ in Hamas’s thought. In particular, it attempts to understand the meanings of ‘resistance’, its means and objectives, and its ideological and political aspects. It will also examine the core of Hamas’s almashrou’a alislami [the Islamic project] or mashrou’a almuqawama [the project of resistance]. To this end, this chapter investigates three elements comprising the projects. Hamas’s project of resistance is a comprehensive project that includes education, media, social work and the economy. Hamas’s use of media, however, is the core of the present research. Hamas’s project mainly calls for the creation of the mujtama’a muqawim [resistance society], which the overarching resistance project advocated by Hamas embraces. While Hamas’s project includes both violence and nonviolence, violent resistance will receive less attention. This is because the media resistance falls within the non-violent paradigm. Some scholars may make an argument, however, that the media sometimes adopt a paradigm of violent resistance. Finally, the second part of this chapter will concentrate on the concept of ali’lam almuqawim [resistant media]. Specifically, it will discuss the significance of the media in Hamas’s resistance project and attempt to clarify Hamas’s perception of the ali’lam almuqawim concept.
