On December 7 in Gaza, thousands of Hamas supporters rallied together to celebrate 25 years since Hamas’s inception. As a part of the celebration, Gazan Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh and formerly exiled Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal entered center stage by walking out of a large model rocket.
Highlights of their speeches that day included such phrases as “not giving up any inch of Palestine” and “We cannot recognize Israel’s legitimacy.” Despite these and other deplorable actions, there has been little-to-no international outcry. Instead, much of the international community has become sympathetic toward the 25-year-old organization. This jubilant celebration and growing international acceptance illustrates a dangerous new perspective the world has on Hamas.
