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Hamas: From Resistance to Regime Kindle Edition
by Paola Caridi (Author), Andrea Teti (Translator) Format: Kindle Edition
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 14 ratings
When the radical Islamist group Hamas was elected to lead Palestine in 2006, the Western world was shocked. How had the majority of Palestinians come to support an extremist organization and how would the group’s new political power affect the larger Israel/Palestine conflict?
Italian journalist and historian Paola Caridi offers a clear-eyed account of how the conditions in this war-torn region led to the rise of Hamas and an unbiased look at the complex feelings that Palestinians have toward getting behind a government that supports violent resistance. By breaking from the sensationalist journalism surrounding the elections, Caridi is able to tell the story of a movement caught between the desire to resist its oppressor and the need to provide support for a refugee people. Caridi, informed by years of on-the-ground research and interviews with residents of Gaza and leaders of Hamas, covers the history of Gaza from its golden age as a port city to the formal birth and slow militarization of Hamas. This English-language translation brings the reader to present-day Palestine by offering a never-before-seen chapter on Operation Cast Lead, the shocking WikiLeaks disclosures, and the Cairo Revolution.
Hamas paints a picture, with intelligence, dexterity, and heart, of a people trapped in the most historic of political battles and reveals the strange complexities behind the controversy by explaining one of the key players in the search for peace and justice that runs through the central crisis of the Middle East today.
Review
"In this capable, evenhanded work of research, proficiently translated from the Italian, journalist and historian Caridi carefully tracks the founding of Hamas from its offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood to its West-defining period of terrorism to its eventual, effectual embrace of political representation since 2006...an intriguing study of Hamas' tortuous movement from 'pebbles to power...from terrorist attacks to ministries.'" --Kirkus Reviews
"Caridi's English-language debut is timely and informative" --Publisher's Weekly
"Hamas is hardly an unfamiliar actor on the world stage. But much of the discussion about Hamas is more heated than enlightening. Paola Caridi's book is thus a real treat: it starts not with the controversy but with the movement itself, working from the ground up. interviewing those inside and outside the movement, and poring through written sources. The book explores Hamas's origins, evolution, and choices. Those who are already familiar with Hamas will find new information presented in a careful and judicious manner; those who know less about Hamas will find an accessible and rewarding account of the movement." --Nathan J. Brown, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs, George Washington University
"Paola Caridi, Italian journalist and historian, exploits her mastery of the pen and eye for historical detail to provide a rich, balanced view of the Palestinians' leading Islamist organization--Hamas. Skillfully translated by Andrea Teti, Caridi's book draws heavily upon extensive interviews with Palestinian elites and regular citizens to chart Hamas's rise to popularity and power. A superb addition to the literature on the Palestinians." --Kirk J. Beattie, Simmons College, Boston
About the Author
Journalist and historian PAOLA CARIDI has lived in the Middle East since 2001. She contributed to the founding of the press agency Lettera22 and has worked with L'Espresso, Sole 24 Ore, La Stampa, and FamigliaCristiana. Hamas- From Resistance To Government, her second book, was published in Italy in 2009 and in Palestine in March 2010.
ANDREA TETI is a Lecturer in International Relations at the University of Aberdeen and Senior Fellow at the European Center for International Affairs. His research focuses on Middle Eastern politics, political theory, and the history of social science.
Print length : 607 pagesCustomer Reviews:
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 14 ratings
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e-lectra
5.0 out of 5 stars Must readReviewed in the United States on 3 February 2024
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The information we get about Hamas all comes from demonizing narratives promoted by Israel. This book provides a history of the movement, the various subgroups, the many provocations of the Israeli government that led to the more publicized responses by Hamas militants. Many assassinations of its leaders. It does not include the events of Oct. 7 but it does give a more well rounded picture of this resistance movement. The 1987 charter is widely cited by opponents but in fact a more moderate charter was drafted in 1994 when the group decided to enter electoral politics and coexist with Israel. Western powers did many things to block Hamas’s moves to normalize. The author is a journalist who did extensive research and provides historical facts and dates.
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Darlene Albright
5.0 out of 5 stars Shows you a clearer picture.Reviewed in Canada on 4 January 2024
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I read this book to help me understand what is happening in the middle east. In 1948 the Isrealis occupied a state of their own. Arabs had most previously been the occupants of this land and Britain had made it clear that the expectation was to share this land. But they didn't get along and Isreal wanted their state. Thus started the evacuations, stealing of Arab land that had been in Arab families for generations and massacres of those that would not leave. Each side knows how to trigger each other and they did, over and over. Violence breeds more violence. Peace was never within reach due to unbending issues on each side. Fatah, Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas, PLO do not work together. Settlements on Palestinian land decreased the land and was done on purpose. Hamas was elected in a fair process that was applauded by the USA and Europe but oops, never thought Hamas would win so we just wont acknowledge the peoples choice. Ironically this would have been the best time to work with the new democratically elected body to ensure processes were followed and lines of communication were opened. But no, so things get worse. Sanctions put in place, tax money was denied to Gaza. So how can government work? Palestinian people pay for their "choice". With Gaza being isolated, unable to work, travel while those in Isreal live well. No one will listen and people get angrier. People get more radicalized. Intifada x2 and several wars result in Palestinan having homes demolished. Terrorism is not right and Isreal has the right to defend themselves but not demolish. Both sides need to stop triggering each other. Let the hostages go home. Stop the settlements, give the Palestinians Gaza and the East Bank. Start somewhere. Unfortunately I think both sides are eluding themselves that they will get everything they want.... it will never happen. So if peace will never happen I think that continuing anger will only result in more killing.
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MASSIMO ROSSI
5.0 out of 5 stars Paola Caridi's gazeReviewed in Italy on 17 November 2015
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it is a courageous text, which reconstructs from the inside the path that led an armed faction in the Palestinian disaster to become a governing body. Caridi's gaze is objective, never judgmental or moralizing and allows us step by step to reconstruct the mechanisms that have brought the population of Gaza into the current abyss. To understand the vision - without hiding the aberrant sides - of the leaders of Hamas, their relationship with the alter ego Fatah and the power games that have been played out around the people of Gaza since the first intifada. the English edition also contains an additional chapter compared to the Italian one... to be read carefully to get away from clichés!!
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Hamas: From Resistance to Regime
Paola Caridi, Andrea Teti (Translator)
4.00
55 ratings12 reviews
"Historical survey rather than a polemical view of the problematic Islamist movement that has both sounded the Palestinians’ needs and plagued Israel since the group's founding in 1987.” — Kirkus Reviews
“Truly a great book of reportage and keen analysis.” —Le Monde
When the radical Islamist group Hamas was elected to lead Palestine in 2006, the Western world was shocked. How had the majority of Palestinians come to support an extremist organization and how would the group’s new political power affect the larger Israel/Palestine conflict?
Italian journalist and historian Paola Caridi offers a clear-eyed account of how the conditions in this war-torn region led to the rise of Hamas and an unbiased look at the complex feelings that Palestinians have toward getting behind a government that supports violent resistance. By breaking from the sensationalist journalism surrounding the elections, Caridi is able to tell the story of a movement caught between the desire to resist its oppressor and the need to provide support for a refugee people. Caridi, informed by years of on-the-ground research and interviews with residents of Gaza and leaders of Hamas, covers the history of Gaza from its golden age as a port city to the formal birth and slow militarization of Hamas. This English-language translation brings the reader to present-day Palestine by offering a never-before-seen chapter on Operation Cast Lead, the shocking WikiLeaks disclosures, and the Cairo Revolution.
Hamas paints a picture, with intelligence, dexterity, and heart, of a people trapped in the most historic of political battles and reveals the strange complexities behind the controversy by explaining one of the key players in the search for peace and justice that runs through the central crisis of the Middle East today.
GenresHistoryNonfictionPoliticsIsrael
496 pages, Paperback
First published March 12, 2009
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Paola Caridi14 books20 followers
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Journalist, born in Rome in 1961, Paola Caridi is a founding member of the News Agency “Lettera22″ and is currently working for national and local Italian newspaper. PhD in History of International Relations, she is specialised on Middle East and Northern Africa region. Correspondent in Cairo (2001-2003), she is based since 2003 in Jerusalem. She published in 2007 “Arabi Invisibili” (Feltrinelli publishing house), Capalbio Price 2008. In 2009, she published Hamas (Feltrinelli publishing house).
The English version of Hamas. From Resistance to Government? has been published by PASSIA in East Jerusalem in February 2010. Seven Stories Press published in March, 2012, the American version of the book, updated and with an added chapter on the latest events.
In 2011, she edited and translated the Italian edition of Aswani’s book On the State of Egypt (AUC Press 2011).
In 2013 she published Gerusalemme senza Dio. Ritratto di una Città Crudele (Feltrinelli). The American University in Cairo Press (AUC Press) published the English version in Summer 2017, as Jerusalem without God. Portrait of a Cruel City.
From 2008 she maintains invisiblearabs.com, a blog on Arab politics and pop culture.
She is a Knight of the Order of the Italian Solidarity’s Star, order chaired by the President of the Italian Republic.
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4.00
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S.S.
95 reviews5 followers
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December 15, 2023
This book is definitely written for a specific audience which is Not Me. The author tried her best to be neutral, I can see that but the orientalism sometimes (unconsciously?) reared its ugly head and ugh.
I did learn a lot despite the non-chronological way this book was written—it was not easy to keep track of what happened and when, to say the least.
I also have a bone to pick with the translator because the guy could never seem to decide when it comes to proper nouns. The Haram al-Sharif, for example, would sometimes be called the Temple Mount or the Holy Basin, all interchangeably. This happens so many times with places' names, people's names, all the names. It's confusing, to say the least (again).
To round it all up, I really do appreciate the nuanced discussion + when I look back at all my highlights I started thinking maybe the book was not all that bad.
Then I remember all the times I rolled my eyes and idk anymore. Why don't you decide for yourself if you ever felt like picking this book up?
2-75-stars read-2023
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Gabriela Oprea
102 reviews
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December 15, 2023
this was very informative in terms of history, but I would have appreciated a bit more depth regarding ideology
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Maria Luisa
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February 3, 2024
A clear and lucid essay. It helped me to understand a little more what was behind the birth of the Hamas movement, to retrace the recent history of Israel through, unfortunately, the wars and struggles that have characterized it from the beginning. Trying to understand what is at the root of this movement and its evolution with its seizure of power in the Gaza Strip is fundamental to orient yourself in what is happening. Without giving any justification to the violence and ferocity demonstrated.
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Andrew Davis
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March 7, 2024
I began this read to understand the origins and trajectory of Hamas from a non bullshit account removed from Zionist propaganda. This Italian rendition was a good start.
I began my interest in Hamas since the beginning of Al Aqsa Flood. My previous understanding was framed by American propaganda that they were "terrorists" or fundamentalists that weren't an avenue for Palestinians to liberate themselves. This infantile perspective was actually eliminated before I read this book by reading statements from Hamas on RNN. To me they looked positively moderate. This is in contrast to the absolutely lunatic genocidal Zionist entity that made statements calling Palestinians human animals and saying we will kill men women and children among cutting off water, food, electricity, and fuel to a concentration camp. The heroics of Al Qassam Brigades and the - I will defend - moderate Hamas proclamations really gave me a new perspective and respect to this organization.
Reading this book was an enormous validation and riveting look at Hamas movement. In my observation they are what I would as far go to say a revolutionary movement that serves the needs of the masses. I'm actually astonished how similar to a communist party they operate and supposed "communist" parties around the world could learn something from Hamas.
First of all: they practice democratic centralism where when political choices are determined they consult their 4 constituencies (Gaza, West Bank, Abroad, and Prisons (in fact being in prison is not considered being away from politics)). Once a majority is achieved all parties abide by the majority.
Secondly: they serve the people. One of the core tenets of Marxism is to serve the people. Hamas does this by maintain social cohesion through civil works and programs to alleviate the suffering of the people of Gaza. This isn't to say they haven't struggled but that is the base of their support and why they succeed. They have a mass base.
The internal politics of Palestine is something most people are unaware of with their difficulties in trying to manage a stateless people. All of this under the unyielding occupation of "israel" who has no interest and is opposed to any Palestinian political solution and just wants them to languish in silence. This wouldn't be possible without American imperialism as well as a failure of the international community. We all failed Palestine and this ongoing genocide is the guilt of every country who went along with this colonization.
What is enormously harrowing is reading the casualties of previous "israeli" mowings of the lawn with the descriptions of destruction being so horrific and then comparing it to the holocaust we see now where Gaza is basically destroyed from top to bottom.
I'm writing this nearly 5 months after that start of slaughter and I don't know what's next. There cannot be a return to status quo. A qualitative shift has occurred and the arrogance of the West to say how things will go is actually seeping away. We're on the precipice of a major regional war. The off ramp is not in sight. The zionists are committed to annihilating Gaza. But they are militarily unable. That's the biggest surprise. The resistance is strong and hasn't been defeated for 5 months. The zionists are politically weak despite all their equipment and backing. Their army cannot fight. Hamas is still strong and if history is any indicator from this book they will emerge even stronger now. They've not lost anything from the assassinations and blockade. All those wars on Gaza and they are better prepared now. I pray for those people
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Amid Dean
214 reviews7 followers
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October 22, 2023
Tracing Hamas's Political Evolution: A Neutral Yet Narrow Lens
Paola Caridi's Hamas: From Resistance to Government offers a nuanced exploration of Hamas's transition from a resistance movement to a governing entity, especially post the 2006 elections. Caridi maintains a neutral tone throughout, shedding light on significant historical events that have shaped Hamas’s political trajectory amidst the ever-turbulent Middle Eastern political scene.
The author sets the stage by sketching the historical and political contours of Palestine, although the depth may not suffice for readers new to Palestinian history. The book excels in its unbiased depiction of Hamas's evolution, steering clear of preconceived notions while delving into its political engagements.
A notable revelation was Hamas's initiative to build closer ties with Western nations through Turkey’s Erdogan and its receptivity towards a two-state solution— aspects of Hamas’s political stance often overshadowed in mainstream discourse. Nonetheless, the exploration of Hamas's ideology seemed superficial, leaning more on historical events than on ideological exposition.
While the narrative is engaging, it predominantly circles around Hamas, slightly sidelining the broader political dynamics of the Middle East. Caridi's accessible writing style is a plus, though the frequent end-chapter references could be distracting. Consolidating references at the end could potentially offer a more seamless reading experience.
The book, while comprehensive in recounting history, could have ventured further into Hamas's ideological landscape for a more rounded comprehension.
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Maldifassi Giovanni
176 reviews3 followers
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December 5, 2023
From the page dedicated to her on Wikipedia, we learn that the Author is a journalist, blogger, writer and historian.
Probably her most prestigious role is that of reference analyst for the Middle East for Limes.
You have lived for years in that part of the world and therefore you are among the scholars who have had the privilege of being able to evaluate "live" and in the field the validity of the analyzes produced.
The book could be understood as a good academic manual on the history of the Arab-Israeli conflict in the Gaza area.
But, as mentioned above, it can boast an extra edge due precisely to the author's familiarity with the facts she narrates and the places in which those facts were experienced.
This is perhaps the main reason that leads to tackling a book of 450 pages, which can be read very well, also because the author's journalistic sensitivity makes reading easier.
Read more:
http://gmaldif-pantarei.blogspot.com/...
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Giacomo Ntc
2 reviews
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February 14, 2024
Hamas by Paola Caridi observes the homonymous Islamic Palestinian resistance movement through an eminently political lens. The essay aims to reconstruct the history of the movement from its beginnings and its evolution up to the present day, with the inclusion of a short appendix on the events after 7 October 2023. It is a very detailed, dry treatment, and complicated by a time plan not always linear. Characteristics that make the reading edgy and push the reader to question whether the infinite lists of ministers of very short-lived governments really enrich the understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian vicissitudes. Perhaps they tickle the fantasies of the hardened political scientist, although it is doubtful that anyone with an interest in the scientific examination of Hamas would resort to the title that is the subject of this review. Indigestible for the reader without political interests, too informal for the scholar.
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Swapna Peri ( Book Reviews Cafe )
1,613 reviews56 followers
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April 29, 2024
Paola Caridi's book "Hamas: From Resistance to Regime" offers a detailed account of the rise of Hamas in Palestine in 2006, revealing the complex sentiments among Palestinians supporting a government advocating violent resistance. The book traces the history of Gaza from its prosperous past to the formal establishment and gradual militarization of Hamas. Caridi's work is a historical survey rather than a polemical view of the Islamist movement that has shaped Palestinian needs and troubled Israel since its inception in 1987. The book provides a nuanced understanding of the political battles that define the region's history and offers insights into the contemporary challenges faced by Hamas.
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Andrew Child
125 reviews3 followers
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ReadJune 4, 2021
not an easy read and certainly not an introductory book, but this really is a great in-depth look at this political movement from an outsider/insider perspective (caridi is an italian reporter who has lived for years in occupied palestine, so she augments firsthand knowledge and experiences from interviews with an awareness of how the western press presents this occupation)
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Thomas Vote
212 reviews1 follower
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January 5, 2024
This book should be read because it has the ability to tell the facts in a balanced way.
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