Review of Hamas

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KeishaMoore
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Review of Hamas

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[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Hamas" by John Mulholland.]
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5 out of 5 stars
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There are two sides to a story, which urged me to pick this book. I picked Hamas: Terrorists or Freedom Fighters by John M. Mulholland because of my interest in understanding the reason behind the never-ending conflict between Israel and Palestine. The historical background for the resentment between these two countries traces back to when 750,000 Palestinians had to leave their homes with the founding of modern Israel in 1948. It was even before Hamas was established in December 1987, during a Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation. Hamas operates under Sharia law and is a resistance movement hell-bent on ensuring that the rights of the Palestinians are secured. It sprouted in the Gaza Strip and West Bank as a response to Israeli control, oppression, and inadequate governance in Palestine. Therefore, this organization has taken it upon itself to free the Palestinians in whatever way possible. And while their actions are not supported globally, they have garnered support from some countries due to a common goal.

The author debunks the misconception held globally about Hamas, which is primarily the fact that it is a terrorist organization. While the actions perpetrated by this group against Israel are the reason why it is tagged a terrorist organization, the group is not just a resistance movement but also a political group governing the Gaza Strip in Palestine. The author’s stance is clear on this subject; the author openly speaks against the killings and violent actions that have resulted from this group and does this while trying to understand the reason behind the actions taken by this group, which translates to a brief historical background on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the formation of modern Israel. The saying, Divided we fall, united we stand, is what is applicable in this case, as the Arabs and the Jews were living productively with one another until they decided to segregate themselves. Then began the conflict that exists to date.

This book addresses a controversial topic on which everyone has differing opinions and stances. I like how the author carefully analyzed both sides of the story without prejudice but with sympathy for the lives wasted in this conflict. The author does not support one side and leaves the other. An alternative solution to resolving this conflict, which I believe is one that both parties involved should consider, was proposed in this book. War wastes life, resources, productivity, and time and leaves a dent that is hard to fill.

Because of the controversial nature of this topic, I would suggest that only those with an open mind to understanding both sides of the story should read this book. Although this book is not free of errors, they are insignificant to the rating of this book because I learned a lot about the Forever Wars conflict, which has led to the displacement of people living in poor conditions. So, I rate this book five out of five stars. It is not a religious book; therefore, one's religious background is insignificant to the decision to read this book. Only people interested in understanding the nature and source of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from an open-minded stance should read this book.

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Hamas
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Stephanie Runyon
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Post by Stephanie Runyon »

I think looking further back than the formation of Israel would explain further the division of the Jews and the Palestinians. Hamas and many other groups have listed in their charter the eradication of Israel and all Jews. Hamas, specifically, teaches their children with the same books that were from the Nazi regime. That is why they are labeled a terrorist organization.
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Post by Eudene King »

This book is a real eye-opener on a very complicated topic. It helped me understand the perspectives of both sides without feeling overly biased, which I really appreciated. The author presents the history and motivations of Hamas in a way that’s clear and accessible, making it easier to grasp the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

What stood out to me was how the book didn’t just focus on one narrative but gave space to the human stories behind the headlines. It made me realize how much pain and frustration exist on all sides, which often gets lost in the news coverage.

While the book is concise and doesn’t cover every detail, I found it to be a good introduction that encourages readers to think critically and with an open mind. It’s a valuable read for anyone wanting to better understand a deeply complicated issue beyond the usual stereotypes.
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