Foreign relations of Hamas

Hamas, the entity who as of 2023 had been the governing authority of the Gaza Strip, has foreign relations that spans various countries around the world. As of 2023, Mousa Abu Marzook is the group's head of international relations office.[1]

## Africa[edit]

### Egypt[edit]

Egypt under Mohamed Morsi who was in power from 2011 to 2013, supported Hamas.[2]

### South Africa[edit]

See also: Palestine–South Africa relations

Hamas sent an official delegation to South Africa for the 10th anniversary of the death of Nelson Mandela, joining African National Congress minister Lindiwe Zulu at a wreath-laying event on 5 December 2023.[3]

### Sudan[edit]

Sudan under President Omar al-Bashir was a major supporter and provided Hamas its rockets.[4]

## Americas[edit]

### Cuba[edit]

Cuba allegedly provides intelligence support to Hamas.[5][6][7]

### Venezuela[edit]

The relations between Venezuela and Hamas have become more close under the presidencies of Hugo Chavez and Nicolas Maduro, due to the common opposition to the US.[8][9]

## Asia[edit]

### Iran[edit]

Main article: Iranian support for Hamas

This section is an excerpt from Iranian support for Hamas.[edit]

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in 2012.

The Islamic Republic of Iran is a key patron of the Palestinian militant organization Hamas, which has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2006. Iran provides Hamas with funds, weapons, and training.[10][11][12]

According to a 2020 U.S. State Department report, Iran provides about $100 million annually to Palestinian militant groups, including Hamas.[13] As of 2023, according to an Israeli security source, Iran had significantly increased its funding for Hamas to $350 million a year.[14]

### Israel[edit]

Islamists appeared to be more interested in studying the Quran than fighting Israel when Israel first came into contact with them in Gaza in the 1970s and 1980s. Mujama al-Islamiya, a forerunner of Hamas, was recognized by the Israeli authorities and registered as a charity. Members of the Mujama were able to establish an Islamic university as well as mosques, clubs, and schools. Importantly, Israel frequently took a back seat to the Islamists' sometimes deadly power struggles with their secular, left-wing Palestinian counterparts in Gaza and the West Bank. David Hacham, an Israeli military Arab relations specialist who operated in Gaza in the late 1980s and early 1990s, says, "When I look back at the chain of events, I think we made a mistake." However, none at the time considered the outcomes that might occur." On the extent to which their own actions may have helped to Hamas's rise, Israeli officials who served in Gaza disagree. They attribute the recent growth of the group to outside forces, mainly Iran. The Israeli government holds the same opinion.[15][16]

### Qatar[edit]

Main article: Qatari support for Hamas

This section is an excerpt from Qatari support for Hamas.[edit]

Qatar is a key financial backer and ally of the Palestinian militant organization Hamas. Qatar has transferred more than $1.8 billion to Hamas.[17][18] In 2012, Qatar hosted the Hamas party leadership when Hamas head Khaled Meshal relocated from Syria to Qatar.[19] The current head of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, has resided in Doha since 2016.[20] Qatar has been called Hamas' most important financial backer and foreign ally.[21][22]

### Saudi Arabia[edit]

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (January 2024)

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### Syria[edit]

The Syrian Arab Republic was a staunch supporter of Hamas until 2011 with the outbreak of the Syrian civil war. In January 2012, Hamas sided with the Syrian rebels against the government Bashar al-Assad.[23] Since 2022, relations have been restored and the support was renewed.[24] Since 2022, Hamas is again part of the regional Axis of Resistance.[25][26]

### Turkey[edit]

Main article: Turkish support for Hamas

This section is an excerpt from Turkish support for Hamas.[edit]

Ismail Haniyeh with Turkish Minister of Culture Numan Kurtulmuş, 20 November 2012

Under the Islamist leader Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Turkey has become a stalwart supporter of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip.[27][28]

Turkey provides financial and logistical support to Hamas, which is a considered a terrorist organization by much of the West. Turkey hosts senior Hamas officials, including Saleh al-Arouri. Hamas head Ismail Haniyeh and former chief Khaled Meshal visit Turkey often.[29][30][31]

According to Israel's Shin Bet, Hamas has established a command post in Turkey. which it uses to recruit operatives and oversee operations in the Middle East.[32] Hamas' Turkey branch reportedly takes decisions without taking into account the movement as a whole and without involving the Hamas leadership.[33][34] Hamas has reportedly planned attacks against Israel from Turkey, including the abduction and killing of three Israeli teenagers in 2014.[35] In 2020 Israeli diplomats charged Turkey with furnishing passports and identity cards to Hamas members in Istanbul.[36]

The Turkish government met with Hamas leaders in February 2006, after the organization's victory in the Palestinian elections. In 2010, Prime Minister Erdoğan described Hamas as "resistance fighters who are struggling to defend their land".[37][38]

## Europe[edit]

### Russia[edit]

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh at a meeting with Russian officials in Moscow in 2022

Main article: Russia–Hamas relations

This section is an excerpt from Russia–Hamas relations.[edit]

Russia has diplomatic relations with the political wing of Hamas, the Palestinian Islamist organization which rules the Gaza Strip. Russia has not designated Hamas as a terrorist organization,[39] though it has condemned Hamas attacks as "terrorism" and has taken a hard line against Islamist terrorism. Russia has also maintained relations with Israel.

## References[edit]

1. ^ "Israel says hostage swap with Hamas won't begin before Friday". www.aa.com.tr. Archived from the original on 2023-11-29. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
2. ^ Kingsley, Patrick (July 26, 2013). "Egyptian army questions Mohamed Morsi over alleged Hamas terror links". The Guardian. Archived from the original on October 19, 2023. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
3. ^ "South Africa's support for the Palestinian cause has deep roots". The Economist. January 11, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
4. ^ Abdelaziz, Khalid; Eltahir, Nafisa; Irish, John (September 23, 2021). "Sudan closes door on support for Hamas". Reuters. Archived from the original on October 15, 2023. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
5. ^ https://thehill.com/opinion/international/4270996-cubas-dictatorship-has-a-serious-problem-with-jews/
6. ^ https://www.meforum.org/65385/cuba-and-iran-are-still-state-sponsors
7. ^ https://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/op-ed/article282961503.html
8. ^ https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2006/2/13/venezuela-ready-to-receive-hamas
9. ^ https://abcnews.go.com/International/maduro-ally-linked-hezbollah-hamas-charged-narco-terrorism/story?id=70914878
10. ^ "What Is Hamas?". Council on Foreign Relations. Archived from the original on 2022-10-12. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
11. ^ "Israel-Hamas War: Iran's Role and Comments". The Iran Primer. 2023-10-10. Archived from the original on 2023-10-22. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
12. ^ Srivastava, Mehul; Zilber, Neri; Jalabi, Raya (2023-10-09). "What links Hamas to the 'Axis of Resistance' and its patron Iran?". Financial Times. Archived from the original on 2023-10-22. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
13. ^ "Hamas received weapons and training from Iran, officials say". The Washington Post. October 9, 2023. Archived from the original on October 12, 2023. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
14. ^ Nakhoul, Samia (2023-10-16). "How Hamas secretly built a 'mini-army' to fight Israel". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2023-10-13. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
15. ^ Tharoor, Ishaan (2021-12-01). "How Israel helped create Hamas". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on 2023-10-22. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
16. ^ Higgins, Andrew (January 24, 2009). "How Israel Helped to Spawn Hamas". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on September 26, 2009. Retrieved January 25, 2023. "When Israel first encountered Islamists in Gaza in the 1970s and '80s, they seemed focused on studying the Quran, not on confrontation with Israel. The Israeli government officially recognized a precursor to Hamas called Mujama Al-Islamiya, registering the group as a charity. It allowed Mujama members to set up an Islamic university and build mosques, clubs and schools. Crucially, Israel often stood aside when the Islamists and their secular left-wing Palestinian rivals battled, sometimes violently, for influence in both Gaza and the West Bank. "When I look back at the chain of events I think we made a mistake," says David Hacham, who worked in Gaza in the late 1980s and early '90s as an Arab-affairs expert in the Israeli military. "But at the time nobody thought about the possible results." Israeli officials who served in Gaza disagree on how much their own actions may have contributed to the rise of Hamas. They blame the group's recent ascent on outsiders, primarily Iran. This view is shared by the Israeli government. "Hamas in Gaza was built by Iran as a foundation for power, and is backed through funding, through training and through the provision of advanced weapons," Mr. Olmert said last Saturday. Hamas has denied receiving military assistance from Iran."
17. ^ Ehl, David (May 15, 2021). "Who is Hamas? Who supports Hamas? What you need to know". Deutsche Welle. Archived from the original on November 14, 2023. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
18. ^ "Qatar, Iran, Turkey and beyond: The galaxy of Hamas supporters". France 24. 2023-10-14. Archived from the original on 2023-10-14. Retrieved 2023-10-15.
19. ^ Gidda, Mirren (July 25, 2014). "Hamad Still Has Some Friends Left". Time. Archived from the original on April 14, 2019. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
20. ^ "Shadowy Hamas official with ties to Iran tapped to lead Gaza". The Times of Israel. Archived from the original on 29 October 2023. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
21. ^ "Who is Hamas? Who supports Hamas? What you need to know". Deutsche Welle. May 15, 2021. Archived from the original on November 14, 2023. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
22. ^ "Hamas is feeling the pain of Qatar's crisis, and is looking to Egypt for help". Los Angeles Times. June 19, 2017. Archived from the original on November 21, 2023. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
23. ^ Mohammed Ayoob, Will the Middle East Implode?, John Wiley & Sons, 2014 p. 47.
24. ^ Hussein Abou Saleh (2 November 2023). "Iran's 'axis of resistance': how Hamas and Tehran are attempting to galvanise their allies against Israel". The Conversation. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
25. ^ Dihasha, Najiya (2023-10-12). "قيادي في حماس للجزيرة نت: المقاومة من جنوب لبنان لمنع الاستفراد بغزة". Al Jazeera Arabic (in Arabic). Retrieved 6 December 2023.
26. ^ Rowell, Alex (2023-11-03). "Hamas Attacks on Israel From Lebanon Stoke Fears of a Repeat of History". New Lines Magazine. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
27. ^ "What is Hamas? What to know about its origins, leaders and funding". PBS NewsHour. 2023-10-10. Archived from the original on 2023-10-13. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
28. ^ "Turkey, the United States, and the Israel-Hamas War". Council on Foreign Relations. Archived from the original on 2023-10-25. Retrieved 2023-10-26.
29. ^ "Hamas faces risk, opportunity from warming Israel-Turkey ties". France 24. 2022-03-16. Archived from the original on 2023-10-13. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
30. ^ "US Criticizes Turkey for Hosting Hamas Leaders". VOA. 2020-08-26. Archived from the original on 2023-10-13. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
31. ^ "Qatar, Iran, Turkey and beyond: The galaxy of Hamas supporters". France 24. 2023-10-14. Archived from the original on 2023-10-14. Retrieved 2023-10-15.
32. ^ Katz, Yaakov (8 September 2011). "Shin Bet: Hamas operating in Turkey, China". The Jerusalem Post. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
33. ^ "Turkey's Hamas 'bureau' - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East". Al-Monitor. 2014-12-01. Archived from the original on 24 December 2015. Retrieved 2016-04-28.
34. ^ "Is Erdogan closing Hamas' Istanbul office? - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East". Al-Monitor. 2015-12-21. Archived from the original on 4 June 2016. Retrieved 2016-04-28.
35. ^ Franzman, Seth T. (9 May 2021). "Turkey calls Israel 'terrorist' state, seeks to 'save Jerusalem' - analysis". The Jerusalem Post. Archived from the original on 2 November 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
36. ^ Gumrukcu, Tuvan (26 August 2020). "Turkey gave Hamas members passports, Israel says". Reuters. Archived from the original on 24 October 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2022.
37. ^ Lazaroff, T. (May 13, 2011). "Erdogan: 'Hamas is not a terrorist organization'". The Jerusalem Post. Archived from the original on October 9, 2023. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
38. ^ "Turkish FM Davutoğlu meets Hamas chief amid Israel row". Hurriyet Daily News. Archived from the original on 2023-10-07. Retrieved August 2, 2011.
39. ^ "Why Russia and Hamas Are Growing Closer". Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. 25 October 2023.

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Hamas

History|

* Hamas Charter
* Emblem
* Flag
* Fatah–Hamas conflict
* Takeover of the Gaza Strip
* 25th anniversary of Hamas (2012)

Political wing|

* Khaled Mashal
* Ismail Haniyeh
* Yahya Sinwar
* Ali Baraka
* Mousa Abu Marzook
* Hamas Government in Gaza
* Palestinian Legislative Council

| Elections|

* 2005 presidential
* 2006 legislative

|

Military wing|

* Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades
* Nukbha
* al-Aqsa Flood Vanguards unit

| Operations|

* Murder of Yaron and Efrat Ungar
* Sbarro restaurant suicide bombing
* 2001 Immanuel bus attack
* 2004 Ashdod Port bombings
* IDF outpost bombing
* 2006 Gaza cross-border raid
* Gaza War (2008–2009)
* August 2010 West Bank shooting attack
* 2012 Israeli operation in the Gaza Strip
* 2014 Gaza War
* 2021 Israel–Palestine crisis
* 2023 attack on Israel
* Israel–Hamas war

|

Weapons|

* Al-Bana
* Batar
* Qassam rocket
* Yasin (RPG)

|

Social services|

* Islamic University of Gaza
* Mujama al-Islamiya
* Palestinian Authority Martyrs Fund

Media|

* Al-Aqsa TV
* Tomorrow's Pioneers
* Al-Aqsa Voice Radio
* Al-Quds TV
* Shehab News Agency

Foreign relations|

* Support from (Iran
* Qatar
* Turkey)
* Russia
* Lebanon

Related articles|

* Criticism of Hamas
* Capital punishment in the Gaza Strip

Category:Hamas

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Foreign relations of the State of Palestine

Africa|

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Oceania|

* Australia
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Disputes|

* Israeli–Palestinian conflict
* Palestinian political violence
* Fatah–Hamas conflict

Multilateral relations|

* Arab League
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* Non-Aligned Movement
* United Nations (Security Council resolutions)

Related topics|

* Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates
* Diplomatic missions of / in Palestine
* Recognition of statehood
* Legal status
* Palestine 194
* Foreign relations of Hamas

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