Is Hamas still Muslim-Brotherhood’s political arm in Gaza despite alleged disassociation?

Cairo— Ayman Al-Raqab, Professor of Political Science at Al-Quds Open University, argues that: “The election of Ismail Haniyeh as Hamas chief will probably not result in any change to the movement's politics,” adding that “this does not mean that they have parted with their association to the Brotherhood, as their allegiance is still given to the group.”

Hamas movement has undergone major changes, which can be described as radical, to show that they are changing to suit international changes. The liberated prisoner Yahia al-Senwar, was appointed as head of the political bureau in the Gaza Strip in an attempt to develop administrative systems.

Al Senwar’s appointment marks a new trend in the movement  to deal with the next phase more firmly and seriously, especially with regard to foreign policy and the relationship with Iran, the main financier of the Hamas military wing.

In a phone interview with the television show “Infiraad,” aired on the privately owned TV channel Al-Asema, Al-Raqab said that Hamas is still the arm of the Muslim Brotherhood in Palestine, but they amended their “document of politics” just prior to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's visit to Washington D.C. 

He pointed out that he commended the move in which Hamas sought to modify and change its political rhetoric and document; however, those changes must be translated into real action. “Hamas must change its attitude to become a purely “Palestinian national movement,” and disavow its past affiliations with terrorist groups.”