Unmasking Hamas: A Critical Review of Prof. Shivji’s Article

The Palestinian conflict is characterised by an overwhelming presence of propaganda. Whenever violence erupts, the propaganda mills go into full gear. While many people are unwitting participants in this game, some should know better.

One individual who I believe should know better is Prof. Issa Shivji. Professor Emeritus of Public Law, Shivji is one of Tanzania’s most esteemed public intellectuals, renowned for moral integrity and activism. I consider him to be a voice of reason and always hope to hear his position on contentious issues. However, his recent article in 'Gazeti la Dunia,' where he shares his thoughts on the Palestinian conflict, is a contribution I wish he hadn't made.

In the article titled (translated) "The Five Types of LIES of Imperialism, One Public Truth," Shivji attempts to debunk five ‘lies’ employed by the West to create a distorted narrative favouring Israelis in the Palestinian issue. While I may agree with some claims and disagree with others, it's his assertions regarding the nature of Hamas that I find particularly disturbing.

Shivji challenges the common portrayal of Hamas as a terrorist organisation targeting Jews. He states unequivocally that the claim that ‘Hamas is an Islamic terrorist organisation that believes in killing all Jews’ is a ‘lie’. The professor’s use of the Swahili word 'uongo' is noteworthy – Shivji is not just saying that ‘imperialists’ are making a false argument, but he is accusing them of a deliberate distortion of the truth. Let's use the professor’s high standards to examine his claims against the backdrop of the available facts.

Hamas was founded in 1988 by Sheikh Ahmed Yasin, a graduate of Egypt's prestigious Al Azhar University and a member of the Muslim Brotherhood. It is officially known as 'The Islamic Resistance Movement.' Article One of the Hamas Charter explicitly states that its program is rooted in Islam, drawing inspiration from its sources. This charter contains about three dozen references to such sources, leaving no room for doubt regarding the nature of Hamas.

In 2004, the University of Dar es Salaam organised a memorial to Sheikh Yasin. The speakers included Dr. Azaveli Lwaitama, Jenerali Ulimwengu, and many other usual suspects. Many things were said in praise of the departed Hamas leader, but no speaker questioned Sheikh Yasin’s religious credentials. Not surprising: Hamas's claims about itself are aligned with those of its founder who was a scholar from a top religious school, are we to ignore everything that is known about Hamas because Prof. Shivji said so?

Concerning Hamas's terrorist credentials, many countries, including the US, UK, and Germany, do designate it as such. However, the history of such designations, such as Nelson Mandela being labelled a terrorist, raises questions about the moral authority behind these judgments. People say that one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter. I will avoid that debate here. But what is not debatable today is that Hamas is holding 138 foreigners hostage (including two Tanzanians). Why is this ‘liberation’ group holding foreigners hostage?

Finally, we come to the issue of Hamas’s genocidal intentions. It is not unusual for reckless statements to be spoken in the heat of battle. But written words are official policy – and Hamas's charter reveals alarming apocalyptic tales about the extermination of Jews. We cannot understand the nature of the Palestinian issue and Israel's heavy-handed approach without understanding that policy.

Was Professor Shivji unaware of Hamas’s charter? This document is widely criticised, even by leftist intellectuals. And this raises the question of the professor’s intentions in writing his quite unfortunate article.

When intellectuals of Professor Shivji's stature speak, their words carry great authority. The declaration that Hamas isn’t a religious group, isn’t a terrorist group, and that it harbours no intention of exterminating Jews can mislead many. However, facts are sacred, and we shouldn’t allow even professors to lead us away from facts.

In 2011, during the Arab Spring in Egypt, Hamas collaborated with the Muslim Brotherhood to free 23,000 criminals, including 40 Hamas and Hezbollah members. People don’t understand why Egypt is enforcing a blockade of Gaza (like Israel) but the Egyptians are familiar with Hamas's threat.

Hamas is a major hindrance to peace in Palestine today. Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza in 2005 cost it two billion dollars. The Israelis left valuable assets and allowed Palestinians to work in Israel. However, Hamas's ascent to power immediately resulted in rocket attacks on Israel. These choices have made Gaza a perpetual warzone. I don’t see an equation that works for Palestinians with Hamas included.

Professor Shivji's attempt to whitewash Hamas is a significant misjudgement. While his criticism of Israel may be valid, ignoring Hamas's destructive choices ultimately harms the Palestinian people. Hamas does not exhibit the behaviour expected of a liberation movement, as its actions fail to consider the price paid by its people.

In this intricate and sensitive conflict, it is crucial to approach the issue with sobriety and a commitment to understanding the facts. Ignoring Hamas's actions and ideology does a disservice to the Palestinian people and the pursuit of peace in the region.

NB: The article was first published in The Citizen .