Analysis of the anti-Hamas protests in Gaza

Over the past week, reports emerged of Palestinians in Gaza participating in public protests against Hamas. These protests took place in at least three major areas, with hundreds and possibly thousands of Palestinians participating. What was striking about these protests were the slogans and banners held by the demonstrators, which clearly expressed their anti-Hamas intent, such as "Hamas must go" and "We want to live."

Although the scale of these rallies does not compare to the mass gatherings in Serbia, Turkey, or even Israel, what makes them remarkable and courageous is the circumstances in which they took place: Israel's attacks against Palestinians in Gaza, and Hamas's intolerance of any dissent.

This interesting development has led to multiple and contradictory interpretations, similar to the movie "Rashomon," by different parties in the ongoing conflict. (Rashomon is a Japanese film—the Rashomon effect describes how parties describe an event differently and contradictorily, reflecting their subjective interpretation and self-interest, rather than the objective truth.)

Some Israeli reactions have been harsh and bizarre. The prevailing Israeli justification for the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza is based on the claim that “they are all Hamas.” Rather than viewing the demonstrations as proof that their assessment of the Palestinians is wrong, hardliners in the Israeli government have reached the opposite conclusion. The Israeli military’s commander-in-chief stated that these protests demonstrate that renewed bombing and denying aid to Gaza is working and should be escalated until Hamas is defeated and the Palestinians agree to leave Gaza once and for all. Some Israeli commentators who celebrated these demonstrations failed to realize that these protests, while anti-Hamas, are not pro-Israel, nor do they indicate a Palestinian willingness to surrender their national rights.

Some Palestinians also failed to explain these protests. Some considered them the result of "hidden hands," orchestrated by rival factions such as Fatah or unnamed "Arab capitals," while others accused them of treason, believing they weakened the "resistance."

Some American and Israeli voices, attempting to appear supportive and understanding, viewed these demonstrations as a positive sign and called on their governments to embrace and/or publicly support the demonstrators, as if their governments had any credibility in this regard, or as if the departure of Hamas alone would resolve all the problems of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.

While these different interpretations are predictable given the variance of perspectives, they all lack a true understanding. To begin with, hatred of Hamas has long been deeply ingrained among Gazans. The Israelis concocted their justification for the massive bombardment of Gaza with the false and fabricated claim that "Palestinians overwhelmingly voted for Hamas in 2006." In reality, Hamas did not win a majority; rather, it was the result of Fatah's failure to unify its ranks and its entry into the elections with competing lists.

The United States also played a role in Hamas's victory in 2006 through its last-minute financial support for Fatah, giving Hamas the opportunity to use the slogan "The Americans want Fatah, and the people want Hamas." Due to the deep anger toward American policies, this support was the "kiss of death" for Fatah.

Our polls in Gaza over the past decade have shown a steady decline in Hamas's popularity. In early 2023, less than a quarter of the population gave the movement a favorable rating. By the end of the same year, that percentage had fallen to less than one in ten. The number of Gazans who support Fatah has consistently outnumbered those who support Hamas.

Our poll in Gaza also shows a clear rejection of the behavior attributed to Hamas on October 7. When asked who bears responsibility for the ensuing war, eight in ten blamed Hamas, with roughly the same percentage blaming Israel and the United States.

In short, anti-Hamas and pro-Fatah sentiments are nothing new in Gaza. Therefore, even if Fatah elements participated in organizing these protests, this does not diminish their credibility as an expression of opposition.

It is also necessary to correct the Israeli and other American responses to the protests. The month-long blockade on food and medicine and the renewed bombing may have prompted people to take to the streets, but for Israeli hardliners to view this as an indication of the "success" of their criminal policies is a sadistic and politically unfounded view. As for those who claim to be "moderation," who view these demonstrations as the beginning of the overthrow of Hamas, they are living in delusions. Neither the Americans nor the Israelis are capable of playing a positive role in this regard.

It is important to note that the Netanyahu government needs this war to save its authority. He has clearly expressed his rejection of the Arab peace plan, not because of Hamas, but because he opposes Palestinian sovereignty in the West Bank and Gaza. He sees the existence of Hamas as a convenient excuse to continue the war. He has also declared from the outset that his goal is genocide and the reoccupation of Gaza. In this endeavor, he has enjoyed—and continues to enjoy—American support.

However, there are some points that must be emphasized: Yes, Hamas must step down. From its inception, its tactics have been irresponsible and reprehensible, aimed at undermining all peace efforts. This is why Netanyahu supported it for years, while punishing the Palestinian Authority and undermining its legitimacy, because he did not want to negotiate with it or see any movement toward establishing a Palestinian state in the occupied territories.

It is also true that the Palestinian Authority needs radical reform, and efforts must be made to establish a new, unified, and credible Palestinian leadership.

If the United States, Arab states, and the international community truly desire to end this conflict, they must demand an end to Israeli attacks and the Netanyahu government's annexation policies. They must also demand an end to the occupation and accept and support the implementation of the Arab Peace Plan.

As for Hamas, its fate must be left to the Palestinians, in cooperation with Egypt and other Arab states. If the international community succeeds in pressuring an end to the war on Gaza, begins reconstruction, and halts Israeli attacks on the West Bank and Jerusalem, then hope for peace can be revived. Bringing the fruits of peace to the Palestinian people, who have been oppressed for decades, is the true way to weaken Hamas. This is the path, not the ongoing war in the Strip.

*President of the Arab American Institute - Washington

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Instead of viewing the demonstrations as evidence that their assessment of the Palestinians was wrong, hardliners in the Israeli government reached the opposite conclusion, with the Israeli military commander stating that these protests show that renewed bombing and denying Gaza aid is working.