Hamas and the media discourse

On Thursday, September 15, 2022, Hamas issued a statement emphasizing its relationship with the Syrian regime, condemning Israel for its repeated attacks on Syria, rejecting normalization with the Zionist enemy, and denouncing attempts to Judaize Al-Aqsa Mosque, displace Palestinians, and continue the blockade on Gaza.

Hamas expressed its support for Syria for hosting the resistance and its historical role in the Palestinian cause. It stressed the importance of Syria resuming its role and standing within the Arab and Islamic nations, supporting sincere efforts for Syria’s stability and unity, and standing united against the Zionist entity. Hamas also highlighted the importance of enhancing and developing its relationship with the Syrian regime and resuming ties with it.

This statement sparked widespread debate among popular, national, and Islamic sectors across the Arab world due to its alignment with the Syrian regime and the renewal of relations with it. The regime’s brutality and dictatorship against its people are well-known to Arab populations and to Hamas, with its citizens suffering decades of killings, injuries, displacement, persecution, and imprisonment, continuing to this day.

Analysis of the Situation

Many believe Hamas has the right to assess its interests and arrange its relations with any regime it sees fit to ally with, given its vulnerable and besieged position. They argue that “interest” involves minimizing harm and preventing greater evils, even if lesser ones remain. From this perspective, such relationships fall under the realm of legitimate political decisions. Hamas, facing Arab and international isolation and a lack of support from nations and movements, is compelled to turn to Iran, Syria, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, forming what has been dubbed the “Resistance Axis.”

Hamas has little choice but to align with this axis, as it provides material support, weapons, expertise, and even political backing.

Reasonable critics do not object to Hamas making political or strategic decisions, as it is a resistance movement responsible for a besieged population in Gaza. As such, it operates as a small state, interacting with surrounding countries and addressing international agreements that restrict its sovereignty.

However, the problems lie in several areas:

1. Media and Political Rhetoric
   Hamas often uses rhetoric to describe its allies—such as Iran, the Syrian regime, Hezbollah, and the Houthis—in terms that even its critics and supporters find difficult to believe.

   The so-called Iranian “Resistance Axis” is not genuinely committed to liberating Palestine but rather to countering the influence of Iran’s regional adversaries. This axis, branded as a “resistance front,” is a functional bloc, akin to other alliances like the “Arab Moderation Axis,” “Counter-Revolution Axis,” or “Normalization Bloc,” none of which prioritize liberating Jerusalem or Palestine from Zionist control. The exception is Hamas, which stands alone in its genuine liberation struggle.

   The conflict within the Arab geography (Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen) is more about regional influence than about confronting Israel. Iran has never engaged in a real war with Israel, even when Israel struck Iranian reactors and bases or killed General Qassem Soleimani. Instead, Iran’s allies have targeted Saudi oil infrastructure and military bases while avoiding any direct confrontation with Israel.

   Hezbollah, for instance, has not crossed beyond Lebanon’s borders since 2006, adhering to agreements and guarantees. Instead, it has engaged in a decade-long war against the Syrian people.

   Similarly, Iran’s militias in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen dominate Arab territories without directly challenging Israel.

   Furthermore, Hamas has not provided evidence that the Syrian regime, over its 55-year rule, has ever fired a single bullet at Israel. Instead, the regime has suppressed resistance factions and coordinated arrangements to neutralize Palestinian movements.

   The criticism of Hamas is not about its strategic calculations but rather its insistent rhetoric portraying the Resistance Axis as a steadfast ally, ignoring its devastating impact on Arab populations in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and Lebanon.

2. Reliance on Global Shifts
   Hamas often justifies its deepening ties with the Iranian Axis by citing perceived shifts in global power dynamics, such as the rise of Russia and China as competitors to the U.S. and Europe. However, the outcomes of the Ukraine war have shown that all parties, including Russia, have suffered significant losses. Russia’s occupation of less than 20% of Ukraine and its struggle to maintain its position highlight the risks of overreliance on such changes.

   Global economic crises are inevitable and will disproportionately affect weaker nations. Thus, political assessments must be based on reality rather than wishful thinking or emotional biases. Hamas must adopt a pragmatic approach, balancing its military and political strategies.

3. Neglect of Sunni and Arab Support
   Hamas appears to have distanced itself from Sunni and Arab solidarity, considering Sunni movements incapable of supporting the Palestinian resistance. This has led to rhetoric that alienates Arab populations suffering from the consequences of the Resistance Axis’s actions.

   Hamas seems to rely on the assumption that these populations are religiously and ideologically obligated to support Palestine regardless of their grievances with Hamas’s alliances. However, the continued issuance of provocative statements glorifying Iran and its allies risks alienating even the most sympathetic Arab audiences.

Conclusion

While Hamas has the right to prioritize its interests, it must reform its political and media discourse to minimize its losses. It should not expect unconditional support from others, nor dismiss criticism of its decisions. Hamas must prepare for both the benefits and the consequences of aligning with the Iranian Axis. Over time, it may realize that the Sunni and Arab populations it has alienated are, in fact, its most reliable allies. If regional powers reach agreements prioritizing their interests over the Palestinian cause, Hamas may find itself reassessing its strategic choices.