Eyal Yakoby Labels Hamas "Satanic" Amidst Ongoing Conflict and International Designations

Eyal Yakoby, a University of Pennsylvania graduate and prominent social media influencer known for his advocacy against antisemitism, recently characterized Hamas as "satanic" in a public tweet. Yakoby, who has testified before Congress regarding antisemitism on college campuses and is an incoming MIT student, frequently engages in discussions surrounding Middle East politics and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. His statement reflects a strong condemnation of the Islamist militant movement.

Hamas, an acronym for "Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiya" (Islamic Resistance Movement), was founded in 1987 as the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood in Gaza. The group's stated objectives have historically included the destruction of Israel and the establishment of an Islamic state in historic Palestine. Since 2007, Hamas has governed the Gaza Strip, following its victory in the 2006 Palestinian legislative elections and subsequent clashes with rival faction Fatah.

Dozens of countries, including the United States, the European Union, Canada, Australia, Japan, and the United Kingdom, have designated Hamas as a terrorist organization. These designations are based on the group's engagement in violent activities, including rocket attacks, suicide bombings, and incursions into Israeli territory, notably the October 2023 attacks. The U.S. State Department, for instance, outlines criteria for foreign terrorist organization designation, which Hamas meets due to its actions threatening U.S. national security.

Despite widespread international condemnation and terrorist designations, some countries, such as Russia, China, Norway, Turkey, and Iran, do not classify Hamas as a terrorist organization, viewing its armed struggle as legitimate. Palestinian opinions on Hamas are mixed, with support fluctuating based on political developments and the group's role in resistance against Israeli occupation. The group's 2017 charter, while not recognizing Israel, accepted the establishment of a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, a position that some analysts interpret as a de facto acceptance of a two-state solution.

Yakoby's strong language aligns with the views of many who perceive Hamas's actions as inherently evil and destructive. His public stance underscores the deeply polarized discourse surrounding the conflict and the nature of the militant group, which continues to be a central actor in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian tensions. The international community remains divided on how to address Hamas, balancing counter-terrorism efforts with humanitarian concerns in Gaza.