Hamas, the political party currently ruling over Gaza, is holding a five-day Twitter session under the hashtag #AskHamas [4]. While most Western media [5] 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 [6]
In its first session, Hamas spokeswoman Huda Naim [2], member of the Palestinian Legislative Council [3] and Secretary of Hamas Bloc, answered several questions. Four more sessions are expected.
Send me your questions now pic.twitter.com/4TV9ZrHJYM [7]
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015 [8]
The following tweets are answers and statements selected by category:
On anti-semitism:
. @ArieFriedman [9] if Palestinian land is sold to occupiers, it's treason. We Have Palestinian Jews who own land. No problem w/ that #AskHamas [4]
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015 [10]
@jcvolt [11] In fact, Jews are not the cause of our troubles. But Israeli occupation, which sieges Gaza and destroys West Bank, is. #AskHamas [4]
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015 [12]
@Robbythecoolcat [13] We protect all people even Jews. We do not discriminate, there're are Jews among us and enjoy all freedom #AskHamas [4]
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015 [14]
On gender equality:
The woman in Hamas has a very crucial and constructive role. The woman is a member and a leader. #askHamas [15]
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015 [16]
For Hamas, women and men enjoy equal rights. #askHamas [15]
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015 [17]
Hamas female members have played a significant role in giving depth to Hamas techniques and strategies. #askHamas [15]
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015 [18]
Palestinian women struggle for freedom, independence, and equal rights. #AskHamas [4]
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015 [19]
. @irish4israel [20] Under Hamas rule, women have participated even more in the political and cultural arenas. Now in leading positions #askHamas [15]
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015 [21]
. @irish4israel [20] For example, in public offices women's jobs increased from 30% to 45% of the jobs. #askHamas [15]
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015 [22]
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 [15]
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015 [23]
Women in Palestine suffer the most due to aggressive Israeli policies. #askHamas [15]
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015 [24]
Since 1967, the Israeli occupation forces have illegally imprisoned 15,000 Palestinian women. #askHamas [15]
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015 [25]
Only last summer, the Israeli occupation murdered 240 Palestinian women and 520 kids. #AskHamas [4]
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015 [26]
On the wearing of the veil and choice:
. @ArieFriedman [9] The headcover is a personal choice I made. You have to respect that. #askHamas [15]
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015 [27]
. @saiqa_naz [28] There are female Palestinian MP's who do not have headcovers. That's their personal choice, too. #AskHamas [4]
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015 [29]
On colonization:
. @AvramMeitner [30] Palestine is literally dimishing off the map. Look at the West Bank and Jerusalem! #askHamas [15]
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015 [31]
On prospects for peace:
. @AvramMeitner [30] Hamas supports any just solution that grants the Palestinian people all their legitimate rights. #askHamas [15]
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015 [32]
. @Op_Israel [33] No. We are for any just solution that will ease the suffering of our people. #askHamas [15]
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015 [34]
. @whatiscoolnow [35] @HamasInfoEn [36] 1st, it's Palestine. We struggle 4a free Palestine. Israel has murdered and violated all agreements #askHamas [15]
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015 [37]
@DazzFreeman [38] This is originally refused by Israel and Israel is the party which carry out massacres #AskHamas [4]
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015 [39]
On terrorism, Al Qa'eda and ISIS
@x1Mmejor [40] Hamas official condemned Paris attacks and we have never encouraged terrorism. #AskHamas [4]
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015 [41]
. @taminnnn [42] Hamas is categorically against what ISIS does. #AskHamas [4]
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015 [43]
. @yolandavassallo [44] Hamas does not support Al Qaeda
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015 [45]
On Israel's illegal settlements:
Naim shared an infographic published by Middle East Eye [46] and based on statistics compiled by AFP, Peace Now [47] and BT'Selem [48].
. @segafhusein [49] 3) peace for Israel is building more settlements. see this info-graphic #askHamas [15] pic.twitter.com/Su9OgQG1Yi [50]
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015 [51]
On violence:
. @irish4israel [20] We have rights that we struggle 4. When the occupation ends and we get our rights, there will be no use for them #askHamas [15]
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015 [52]
. @gromble_ [53] We will not disarm until the occupation ends and justice prevails. Period. #AskHamas [4]
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015 [54]
. @Zee_Ghazza [55] All Palestinian factions have agreed to respond to any Israeli aggression against Palestinians #AskHamas [4]
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015 [56]
. @whatiscoolnow [35] @HamasInfoEn [36] you're saying it “fighting back” we resist Israeli aggression. We react to Israeli crimes against us #AskHamas [4]
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015 [57]
@Plate0fShrimp [58] I am with getting rights without bloodshed. But Israelis make Palestinian lives hell everywhere #AskHamas [4]
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015 [59]
. @Telecombarbie [60] @Scashriel [61] @HamasInfoEn [36] They are born from living years of aggression and oppression under occupation. #AskHamas [4]
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015 [62]
On the occupation and the blockade of Gaza:
. @irish4israel [20] @drinkrccola [63] @HamasInfoEn [36] according to Geneva 4th convention, Gaza is still under Israeli occupation. #AskHamas [4]
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015 [64]
On human shields:
@DLF_2012 [65] Hamas never used civilians human shields, it used to warn Israeli civilians who are in the range of its rockets #AskHamas [4]
— Huda Naim (@HudanaimMP) March 13, 2015 [66]
Note: The topic of whether Israel and/or Hamas have used human shields is covered in a previous Global Voices Online post [67].
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 [4]
— Hamas Movement (@HamasInfoEn) March 13, 2015 [68]