First #AskHamas Session Ends With ‘Some Interesting Results’  · Global Voices
Elia J. Ayoub

Hamas promotional image featuring prominent members, from left, Ismail Haniya, political leader of Hamas; Hamas spokeswoman Huda Naim, member of the Palestinian Legislative Council and Secretary of Hamas Bloc; Abu Ubaida, the spokesman for Hamas's military wing the Al-Qassam Brigades; Rahwi Mushtawa, co-founder of Al Majd, a forerunner of Hamas's military wing who spent 25 years in Israeli prisons
Hamas, the political party currently ruling over Gaza, is holding a five-day Twitter session under the hashtag #AskHamas. While most Western media outlets focused on the backlash the campaign generated, little attention has been paid on Hamas’ answers and statements themselves.
Hamas launched its account with a joke:
Zionist propagandists will try to convince you that this is a rocket, not a tweet. Do not fall for that.
— Hamas Movement (@HamasInfoEn) March 11, 2015
In its first session, Hamas spokeswoman Huda Naim, member of the Palestinian Legislative Council and Secretary of Hamas Bloc, answered several questions. Four more sessions are expected.
Send me your questions now pic.twitter.com/4TV9ZrHJYM
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015
The following tweets are answers and statements selected by category:
On anti-semitism:
. @ArieFriedman if Palestinian land is sold to occupiers, it's treason. We Have Palestinian Jews who own land. No problem w/ that #AskHamas
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015
@jcvolt In fact, Jews are not the cause of our troubles. But Israeli occupation, which sieges Gaza and destroys West Bank, is. #AskHamas
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015
@Robbythecoolcat We protect all people even Jews. We do not discriminate, there're are Jews among us and enjoy all freedom #AskHamas
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015
On gender equality:
The woman in Hamas has a very crucial and constructive role. The woman is a member and a leader. #askHamas
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015
For Hamas, women and men enjoy equal rights. #askHamas
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015
Hamas female members have played a significant role in giving depth to Hamas techniques and strategies. #askHamas
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015
Palestinian women struggle for freedom, independence, and equal rights. #AskHamas
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015
. @irish4israel Under Hamas rule, women have participated even more in the political and cultural arenas. Now in leading positions #askHamas
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015
. @irish4israel For example, in public offices women's jobs increased from 30% to 45% of the jobs. #askHamas
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015
She even went so far as accusing Israel of targeting Palestinian women:
The Israeli occupation has always targeted Palestinian women to weaken and undermine the Palestinian struggle. #askHamas
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015
Women in Palestine suffer the most due to aggressive Israeli policies. #askHamas
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015
Since 1967, the Israeli occupation forces have illegally imprisoned 15,000 Palestinian women. #askHamas
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015
Only last summer, the Israeli occupation murdered 240 Palestinian women and 520 kids. #AskHamas
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015
On the wearing of the veil and choice:
. @ArieFriedman The headcover is a personal choice I made. You have to respect that. #askHamas
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015
. @saiqa_naz There are female Palestinian MP's who do not have headcovers. That's their personal choice, too. #AskHamas
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015
On colonization:
. @AvramMeitner Palestine is literally dimishing off the map. Look at the West Bank and Jerusalem! #askHamas
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015
On prospects for peace:
. @AvramMeitner Hamas supports any just solution that grants the Palestinian people all their legitimate rights. #askHamas
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015
. @Op_Israel No. We are for any just solution that will ease the suffering of our people. #askHamas
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015
. @whatiscoolnow @HamasInfoEn 1st, it's Palestine. We struggle 4a free Palestine. Israel has murdered and violated all agreements #askHamas
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015
@DazzFreeman This is originally refused by Israel and Israel is the party which carry out massacres #AskHamas
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015
On terrorism, Al Qa'eda and ISIS
@x1Mmejor Hamas official condemned Paris attacks and we have never encouraged terrorism. #AskHamas
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015
. @taminnnn Hamas is categorically against what ISIS does. #AskHamas
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015
. @yolandavassallo Hamas does not support Al Qaeda
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015
On Israel's illegal settlements:
Naim shared an infographic published by Middle East Eye and based on statistics compiled by AFP, Peace Now and BT'Selem.
. @segafhusein 3) peace for Israel is building more settlements. see this info-graphic #askHamas pic.twitter.com/Su9OgQG1Yi
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015
On violence:
. @irish4israel We have rights that we struggle 4. When the occupation ends and we get our rights, there will be no use for them #askHamas
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015
. @gromble_ We will not disarm until the occupation ends and justice prevails. Period. #AskHamas
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015
. @Zee_Ghazza All Palestinian factions have agreed to respond to any Israeli aggression against Palestinians #AskHamas
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015
. @whatiscoolnow @HamasInfoEn you're saying it “fighting back” we resist Israeli aggression. We react to Israeli crimes against us #AskHamas
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015
@Plate0fShrimp I am with getting rights without bloodshed. But Israelis make Palestinian lives hell everywhere #AskHamas
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015
. @Telecombarbie @Scashriel @HamasInfoEn They are born from living years of aggression and oppression under occupation. #AskHamas
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015
On the occupation and the blockade of Gaza:
. @irish4israel @drinkrccola @HamasInfoEn according to Geneva 4th convention, Gaza is still under Israeli occupation. #AskHamas
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015
On human shields:
@DLF_2012 Hamas never used civilians human shields, it used to warn Israeli civilians who are in the range of its rockets #AskHamas
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015
Note: The topic of whether Israel and/or Hamas have used human shields is covered in a previous Global Voices Online post.
Finally, Hamas announced that the 2nd session will be with a Palestinian who spent 25 years in Israeli prisons:
Today's session has ended. Tomorrow's session's with Rawhi Mushtha; an ex prisoner who spent 25 years in occupation's jails. #AskHamas
— Hamas Movement (@HamasInfoEn) March 13, 2015