It is amazing that an article with "Who is Hamas" in it's title is missing the most important key element. There is no reference to Iran and the intense financial and military support the ayatollahs give Hamas. There is no mention of the Islamist nature of Hamas which incorporates Global Jihad as part of it's credo. There is no mention of the suicide death cult instilled in children from birth in order to fulfill the Islamist goals.

malcolm, New York ,

The Palestinians had an opportunity for Statehood and world recognition the same time Israel was formed. I'm no great lover of either, but read your history. The Palestinians, not satisfied with the area given to them for their homeland, which was about 80% of what they wanted, instead decided to opt out. The rest is history. Had they accepted statehood then and worked with the world powers as a recognized nation they may have been able to resolve the border issues since 1949. Instead they chose a course that has unfortunately subjected their people to many atrocities. Tell me Mr. Haddad, now of Canada, you accuse the Lebanese people "for not being patriotic enough to care for their nation and not proud enough to be Lebanese". How patriotic and caring are you living in Canada?

Daniel DeNoux , New Orleans, LA

It is quite easy and sexy to blame Israel for all the ills of the Palestinian arabs, and indeed for those in the middle east. The plights of the palestinians be it fatah, hamas, islamic jihad, islamic brotherhood etc..is deliberately blamed on the so called Israeli "occupation" (as if Jews can be blamed for occupying their own land). Let's not remove from our memories that the "Palestinian resistance" was created in 1964..that is THREE years before the 6 day war in 1967 in which Israel launched it's war against Egyptian and Jordanian terrorism. That is 3 whole years before there was any so called "Israeli occupation". The aim of the arab countries has been to use Palestinian arabs, themselves refugees from arab lands, as a pawn against the existance of Israel, to this day. Would any carring arab country open its doors to the palestinians fleeing Gaza due to the Hamas kiiling of iots own people?

Adnan Altar, Jerusalem DC, Israel

Mr. Jon Swain perhaps forgot to mention an important element of the palestinians saga.
Since the establishment of the State of Israel, the Palestinians were scattered and forced to live in refugee camps. They were deprived of a FUTURE for themselves and their kids. Those still living in Israel are constantly harrassed by the israeli army, beaten like animals, deprived of the essentials to live like human beings.
I have left my country Lebanon because of the civil war in 1958, therefor, I do understand the plight and the difficulties of the palestinians because I have lived them for so many years before I was able to have a decent life for myself and my family. Yet I still miss my birthplace, my family, relatives and friends. I have no hatred for the Palestinians though they are figthing the Lebanese Army and causing tremendous security problems for my country. I blame the lebanese themselves for not being patriotic enough to care for their nation and not proud enough to be lebanese

Bernie Haddad, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

It's been several thousand years of conflict. The whole region has been fighting since the beginning of time. They don't know how to live in peace. I don't believe it will ever end due to the traditions of their fathers. That whole area will be the start of WWIII.

Tom, New York, usa