1. UKM Learning and Research Repository
2. PHD Thesis / Tesis PHD
3. Institute of Malaysian and International Studies / Institut Kajian Malaysia dan Antarabangsa (IKMAS)

Title:	HAMAS Foreign policy: Syria as a case study 2000-2015
Authors:	Abdalhakim A. A. Hanaini (P74994)
Supervisor:	Abdul Rahim Ahmad, Dr.
Keywords:	Syria -- Politics and government -- 21st century
Issue Date:	15-Aug-2017
Description:	The Islamic Resistance Movement (HAMAS) is a Palestinian resistance movement founded in 1987. It is considered one of the most influential powers in the struggle with the Israeli occupation in Palestine. HAMAS believes that political work and establishment of relations with all countries are part of its resistance program which aims to achieve short and long term goals. After two years of its inception, HAMAS leadership outside Palestine commenced communication with presidents of countries and governments in the Islamic, Arab and International worlds. Meanwhile, HAMAS has been able to set up official relations with some courtiers where HAMAS opened official offices. Among these prominent countries is Syria which opened its doors to HAMAS leadership and allowed HAMAS practice all political, military and security activities. The relationship between HAMAS and Syria developed gradually till a coalition named 'axis of resistance,' including Iran and Hizbullah was formed. Nevertheless, deep dispute happened between HAMAS and Syria due to HAMAS position on the revolution broke out in Syria in 2011. As a result, HAMAS leadership left Syria and the coalition with the Syrian regime was dissolved. Thus, this study aims to explore the principles and foundations of HAMAS foreign relations. It examines the significant role of Syria in supporting HAMAS with multi facilities. The reasons of the dispute and its consequences are also further examined. The qualitative approach was employed in this study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with most influential HAMAS leaders as well as officials from Syrian regime and its allies. Moreover, the descriptive analytical and historical methods were utilized to analyze materials and documents obtained from primary resources such as HAMAS official website, HAMAS offices, HAMAS leaders' private libraries and speeches of the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad, and his media interviews. The study found that the principles of HAMAS foreign relations could be divided into two categories. The first includes the legal and religious evidences derived from Islamic Jurisprudence, and the other includes HAMAS direct experience in working in politics and establishing relations with various countries. To achieve its objectives, HAMAS assigned and distinguished the objectives of its relations with the Islamic, Arab and foreign countries. In addition, the analysis showed that HAMAS-Syrian regime relation was pragmatic (i.e., based on mutual benefits). HAMAS decision to leave Syria was internal; however, it was influenced by the events that occurred in Syria at that time and the up-going of Islamists in few Arab countries that resulted from the Arab Spring. HAMAS decision was correct despite the mistakes made in its implementation. HAMAS has lost a lot due to this decision, but it has maintained its trustworthiness in the eyes of all people who have supported it all time.,Certification of Master's/Doctoral Thesis" is not available
Pages:	323
Call Number:	JQ1830.A98H375 2016 tesis
Publisher:	UKM, Bangi
Appears in Collections:	Institute of Malaysian and International Studies / Institut Kajian Malaysia dan Antarabangsa (IKMAS)

Items in DSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.