The question of whether Israel funded Hamas is complex and involves historical context, political strategies, and various interpretations of actions taken by Israeli authorities over the decades.
Historical Context
Hamas was founded in the late 1980s as an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood, primarily in response to the perceived failures of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). During its early years, particularly in the 1970s and 1980s, Israeli authorities viewed Hamas and its precursor organizations as potential counterweights to the PLO's influence among Palestinians. This led to a series of policies that some analysts argue amounted to indirect support for Hamas.
Indirect Support
Israeli officials have acknowledged that they provided support to Islamist groups like those associated with Ahmed Yassin, who later became a key figure in Hamas. For instance, Brigadier General Yitzhak Segev admitted to providing financial assistance to Mujama Al-Islamiya, which was part of Yassin's network. The rationale behind this support was that these groups could serve as a bulwark against the secular nationalist movements represented by the PLO12.
In interviews and statements from former Israeli officials, there are claims that Israel sought to bolster Hamas as a means of undermining the PLO. For example, former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been quoted suggesting that keeping Hamas strong could reduce pressure on Israel regarding negotiations with the Palestinian Authority3. This strategy was articulated by various Israeli leaders over time, indicating a deliberate policy choice aimed at creating divisions within Palestinian politics.
Financial Assistance
While there is substantial evidence pointing towards indirect support—such as allowing funds from Qatar into Gaza with Israeli approval—direct funding from Israel to Hamas has not been conclusively established. Instead, it appears that Israel's approach has involved facilitating conditions under which Hamas could thrive politically and financially without directly financing its operations45.
In recent years, especially after significant escalations in violence between Israel and Hamas, Israeli officials have defended their actions regarding financial transfers to Gaza as necessary for humanitarian reasons rather than direct support for Hamas itself6. For instance, during discussions about Qatari aid flowing into Gaza, Netanyahu stated that such measures were intended to prevent humanitarian collapse rather than bolster Hamas militarily7.
Conclusion
In summary, while there is evidence suggesting that Israeli policies historically facilitated the growth of Hamas as a counterbalance to other Palestinian factions like Fatah and the PLO, direct funding from Israel to Hamas has not been substantiated. Instead, what can be observed is a complex interplay where indirect support may have occurred through strategic decisions made by Israeli authorities over several decades.
Authoritative Sources
- "How Israel helped create Hamas". The Washington Post. [Link]↩
- Sayedahmed, Dina (19 February 2018). "Blowback: How Israel Went From Helping Create Hamas to Bombing It". The Intercept. [Link]↩
- "Why Netanyahu Bolstered Hamas". The Nation. [Link]↩
- Elbagir, Nima (11 December 2023). "Qatar sent millions to Gaza for years – with Israel's backing". CNN. [Link]↩
- "Netanyahu defends Qatari cash infusion to Gaza". France 24. [Link]↩
- Mazzetti, Mark; Bergman, Ronen (10 December 2023). "'Buying Quiet': Inside the Israeli Plan That Propped Up Hamas". The New York Times. [Link]↩
- Harris, Emily. "Why Israel Lets Qatar Give Millions To Hamas". NPR. [Link]↩
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