Hamas: History, politics, violence
Sun, May 31
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When was Hamas established, and what was its purpose? Is the movement an Islamist fundamentalist group, an Iranian proxy, or a national Palestinian group? Why did it carry out the October 7th attack, and what did it hope to achieve?
Time & Location
May 31, 2026, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM EDT
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Guests
About the event
This webinar explores the complex history of the Hamas movement. While typically drawing attention due to its violent activity, Hamas' history involves a wide array of grassroots activism, political mobilization, and a network of social activity that laid the groundwork for its popularity among the Palestinian population. Founded by the leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood in Gaza in the late 1980's, we explore Hamas' development over the years as both a fundamentalist and a nationalist movement, looking at its regional and local connections and its impact on Palestinian society and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. Within this exploration, we will look at the group's combination of violence, diplomacy, and political activism, discuss the October 7th attack, and explore the possible future trajectories of Hamas in the Gaza Strip specifically and the Israeli-Palestinian arena more broadly.