Hamas rally

Palestine: What’s behind Hamas’ new charter?

Leaders of Palestinian political party Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip, released a document outlining their guiding principles at a press conference in the Qatari capital Doha on May 1.

Much coverage focused on the document’s acceptance of Israel’s 1967 boundary as the basis for establishing a Palestinian state alongside Israel. The document also includes pronouncements on how Hamas views the roots of the conflict, the role of Palestinian resistance and its position towards Jewish people.

It aims to reposition Hamas as part of a Palestinian national consensus and as a negotiator that can eventually be part of an internationally brokered political resolution.

The document attempts to do this without compromising basic principles — which leads to some apparent contradictions.

With an eye to international opinion, Hamas released its “Document of General Principles and Policies” in official Arabic and English versions.

Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal said the new document had been two years in the making. In reality, it is the culmination of internal debates that go back more than a decade.

Read the full article by Ali Abunimah at Green Left Weekly.