Some, especially the United States and Europe, label the Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, as a terrorist organization, claiming that it kills women and beheads children!
To refute this allegation, we must first understand the definition of the term “terrorism.”
What is Terrorism?
Firstly, in line with the approach of balanced scientific studies, we need to clarify the term “terrorism”" to determine whether it applies to Hamas movement or not.
International law does not provide a clear definition of the term “terrorism,” and the term carries political and ideological references. One person might be considered a terrorist by some and a freedom fighter by others. Despite the United Nations' attempts, still, there is no unified definition of terrorism agreed upon by all countries!
The International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism, signed on December 9, 1999, defines terrorism in Article 2(1)(b) as “any act intended to cause death or serious bodily injury to a civilian, or to any other person not taking an active part in the hostilities in a situation of armed conflict, when the purpose of such act, by its nature or context, is to intimidate a population, or to compel a government or an international organization to do or abstain from doing any act.”
The United Nations Security Council, in its resolution (1566) issued in October 2004, reaffirms this definition, stating that terrorist acts are “criminal acts, including those against civilians, committed with the intent to cause death or serious bodily injury, or taking of hostages with the purpose of provoking a state of terror in the general public or in a group of persons or particular persons, or intimidating a population or compelling a government or an international organization to do or to abstain from doing any act.”
The European Union defines terrorism as crimes that, according to national law, by their nature and context, may seriously damage a country or an international organization and are committed with the intention of seriously intimidating a population; or forcing a government or an international organization to perform or abstain from performing any act; or seriously destabilizing or destroying the political, constitutional, economic, or social structures of a country or an international organization.
The following crimes are considered terrorist acts:
• Attacks on the life of a person that may lead to their death.
• Attacks causing physical harm to a person.
• Kidnapping or holding hostages.
• Causing extensive damage to government facilities, public facilities, transportation networks, infrastructure, including information networks, fixed platforms located on the Neritic zone, or public places or private property that is likely to endanger human life or lead to significant economic losses.
• Kidnapping aircraft, ships, or other public transport or goods.
• Manufacturing, possessing, purchasing, transporting, supplying, or using weapons, explosives, nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons, as well as research into biological and chemical weapons and their development.
• Releasing hazardous materials or causing fires, floods, or explosions that have effects endangering human life.
• Hindering or disabling the water, energy, or any other essential natural resource supply in a way that endangers human life.
A quick look at these crimes specified by legislators shows that they apply to the Zionist entity, not “Hamas” Movement. “Hamas” has not committed any of these crimes outside its territory, nor has it caused harm to any country. Instead, it defends its homeland and seeks to liberate it from the occupier who has committed all kinds of inhumane crimes.

United Nations supports the Palestinians' right to defend themselves.
On November 22, 1974, the United Nations General Assembly held a special session on the Palestinian cause. The following points were stated:
The General Assembly, having considered the Palestinian cause and heard statements from the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), representing the Palestinian people, and other statements made during the discussion, expresses deep concern that, so far, a just solution to the Palestinian problem has not been reached. It recognizes that the Palestinian issue continues to pose a threat to international peace and security. In acknowledgment of the Palestinian people's right to self-determination according to the United Nations Charter, it expresses profound concern that the Palestinian people have been deprived of their inalienable rights, especially their right to self-determination.
1-Reaffirms the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, particularly:
a. The right to self-determination without external interference.
b. The right to independence and national sovereignty.
2-Reaffirms the inalienable right of the Palestinians to return to their homes and properties from which they were displaced and uprooted and calls for their repatriation.
3-Emphasizes that the full respect for these inalienable rights and the implementation of these rights are essential for a just solution to the Palestinian cause.
4-Recognizes that the Palestinian people are a key party in establishing a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.
5-Recognizes the right of the Palestinian people to regain their rights by all means in accordance with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.
6-Urges all countries and international organizations to support the Palestinian people in their struggle to reclaim their rights.
7-Calls on the Secretary-General to establish contacts with the PLO on all matters related to the Palestinian cause.
8-Requests the Secretary-General to submit a report on the implementation of this resolution to the General Assembly in its thirtieth session.
9-Decides to include the item "Question of Palestine" in the provisional agenda of its thirtieth session.

Double standards by America and the West
Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, statements from the West and America have affirmed the right of Ukrainians to defend themselves, stating that it is a right guaranteed by international law. Calls have even been made to send volunteer fighters to defend Ukraine. This has not been described as terrorism, unlike the resistance operations in Palestine and other occupied regions.
“Foreign Policy” magazine stated that the most damaging problem for Ukraine is the hypocrisy charges directed at the West by observers and policymakers worldwide. Many around the world have long seen double standards in the West, condemning the illegal occupation in Ukraine while strongly supporting “Israel.” Israel has occupied and maintains settlements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip since 1967. These actions are considered illegal by most of the international community, as “Israel” imposes a land, air, and sea blockade on Gaza since 2007.
While Western governments rushed to condemn Russia for violating international law when it launched a wide-ranging invasion on Ukraine in February 2022, they hesitate to condemn “Israel,” either for its ongoing occupation or for continuing to kill thousands of civilians, including women and children, in Gaza.
Western capitals, led by the United States, condemned the surprise attack by the resistance and emphasized “Israel's” right to defend itself. However, they have chosen not to exert any pressure on “Israel” to push for a ceasefire, even as Palestinian civilian casualties continuously increase due to “Israeli” airstrikes while the humanitarian situation keeps worsening in Gaza.

“Hamas”: A Liberation Movement
We emphasize that “Hamas” movement is not a terrorist organization but rather a liberation movement, defending its land, sacred sites, and people. It has the right to defend its people and land by all possible means, as decided by the United Nations General Assembly.