'Islamization' Reveals Gap Between Hamas Government, Movement
In the first of a three-part series, Asmaa al-Ghoul examines the relationship between Hamas the movement and Hamas the government amid concerns over "Islamization" in Gaza.
In an unusual step, the Hamas bloc within the Palestinian Legislative Council held a session on the morning of May 29, 2013, questioning Interior Minister Fathi Hammad about violations of freedom in the Gaza Strip and Minister of Antiquities and Tourism Ali al-Tarshawi about the destruction of an archaeological site. Although there are some who consider this step not to be in earnest, the spokesman for the Gaza government Taher al-Nono said in an interview with Al-Monitor, "We consider this an important and natural step in the development and transparency sought by the government in Gaza."
This step carried out by the Hamas bloc in the Legislative Council raises many questions about the extent of agreement and disagreement between Hamas the movement and Hamas the government. Has Hamas' experience in ruling increased the movement's credibility?
