The Poetry a Reflection to Hamas’s Perceptions in Its Formative Years: 1987-1993

Abstract

The article is a study of Hamas poetry during the period from the founding of the organization (1987) until the signing of the Oslo Accords (1993). Poetry is one of the media that Hamas employs to transmit political, social, and religious messages that fit with its worldview of Islam cum Palestinian nationalism. In its formative years, dozens of Hamas poets used this special channel to give voice to the organization’s fundamental ideas. The article looks at 11 poets who were affiliated with Hamas leadership circles and who were intensively engaged in writing poetry during those years. It describes the background to this activity, extracts the main messages and motifs raised by the verse, and examines the goals served by this lyrical composition.