Hamas in Governance

Abstract

This chapter argues that the unexpected move towards power has made Hamas experience a gap between its being a liberation movement and a ruling party. The fundamental shift in the role of Hamas created a dilemma for the identity and self-definition of the movement. In line with this and with its desire to remain in power, the ability of Hamas to retain its ideological identity and goals without being affected seemed to be of great concern to the movement. This chapter will examine four main factors that it assumes to have increased the pressure on Hamas and created the operational environment under which Hamas experienced the governance and made the movement to rethink its position. First, the dilemma of power-sharing within the Palestinian political system. Second, the challenge of presenting a clear political program. Third, the challenge of extremism and Fourth the Arab Spring and the changing allies of Hamas. Indeed, it is difficult to define all factors, neither to limit them to one, nor to give significance to one over the other. Other challenges that may appear to be important factors, such as the Israeli challenge to Hamas rule in Gaza. Therefore, the chapter seeks to answer the main question as to how these factors prompted Hamas to release its New Political Document in 2017?