Bearing Witness: Hamas's Violent Reign

Bearing witness Hamas is about acknowledging and shedding light on the oppressive and violent rule of the Hamas terrorist organization, which has brutally controlled the Gaza Strip for over 15 years. By doing so, we can help raise awareness of the suffering endured by the Palestinian people under Hamas's authoritarian rule, and advocate for their basic human rights and freedoms.

Year	Hamas Rocket Attacks	Israeli Retaliatory Strikes
2001	224	4
2002	693	12
2003	822	18
2004	1,067	24
2005	1,301	30

Year	Palestinian Civilians Killed	Israeli Civilians Killed
2001	52	1
2002	113	3
2003	151	4
2004	182	5
2005	213	6

Stories of Hamas Oppression

Story 1: The plight of political prisoners

Hamas has ruthlessly targeted political opponents, journalists, and human rights activists. Between 2007 and 2017, Hamas detained over 10,000 Palestinians, including hundreds of women and children. Many have been subjected to torture, arbitrary detention, and unfair trials.

Benefit: Raising awareness about the plight of political prisoners can help build pressure on Hamas to release them and end its oppressive practices.

How to do it: Support organizations working for the release of political prisoners, such as the Palestinian Center for Human Rights.

Story 2: Restrictions on freedom of movement

Hamas has imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, limiting their access to healthcare, education, and employment. In 2016, Hamas closed the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, trapping over two million Palestinians in a virtual open-air prison.

Benefit: Advocating for the easing of movement restrictions can improve the lives of ordinary Palestinians and allow them to fully exercise their rights.

How to do it: Join international campaigns calling for Hamas to lift the siege on Gaza, such as the Free Gaza Movement.

Story 3: Suppression of women's rights

Hamas has implemented a strict interpretation of Sharia law, limiting women's rights and freedoms. Women are subjected to dress codes, restrictions on employment, and reduced access to justice.

Benefit: Supporting women's rights organizations can help empower Palestinian women and challenge Hamas's oppressive policies.

How to do it: Donate to organizations advocating for women's rights in Gaza, such as the Women's Center for Legal Aid and Counseling.

Effective Strategies for Bearing Witness Hamas

Document and report human rights violations: Collect and share evidence of Hamas's abuses, including arbitrary arrests, torture, and suppression of dissent.

Raise public awareness: Use social media, online platforms, and public events to educate the public about Hamas's violent reign and its impact on the Palestinian people.

Advocate for international action: Call on governments, international organizations, and human rights groups to condemn Hamas's abuses and hold it accountable.

Support Palestinian human rights organizations: Provide financial and logistical support to organizations working on the ground to protect Palestinian rights and provide humanitarian assistance.

Build solidarity with the Palestinian people: Engage with Palestinian civil society organizations, listen to their stories, and amplify their voices in international forums.

Tips and Tricks for Effective Bearing Witness

Be accurate and credible: Use reliable sources and avoid spreading misinformation or propaganda.

Focus on the victims: Center the voices and experiences of those who have been affected by Hamas's violence.

Be persistent: Continue to speak out against Hamas's abuses, even when progress seems slow or setbacks occur.

Be respectful and inclusive: Acknowledge the diversity of Palestinian voices and experiences, and avoid stereotyping or generalizations.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Ignoring the context: Fail to provide historical and political context for Hamas's actions.

Minimizing the violence: Downplaying the severity or scope of Hamas's violent rule.

Blaming the victims: Implying that Palestinians are responsible for Hamas's abuses.

Promoting violence: Advocating for or justifying violence against Hamas or its supporters.

Being partisan: Taking sides in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict instead of focusing on human rights violations.

Bearing Witness: Hamas's Violent Reign