Hamas and the Oslo Accords: Religious dogma in a changing political reality

The new reality in the territories created by the Oslo Accords (September 1993) heightened the internal tension between ideology and praxis in Hamas' platform, engendered frictions in its ranks and adversely affected its ability to pose a concrete threat to Palestinian Authority (PA) rule. However, in adopting a 'long breath' strategy, which endorsed both military jihad and communal activity as equally legitimate means for realizing its Islamic goals, Hamas was able to adapt itself to the new political order without moderating its ideological outlook. This outlook, which calls for the liberation of all Palestine based on its religious sanctity, remained unified and dogmatic, thereby continuing to serve as an antithetical ideology to that presented by the PLO, that is, secular nationalism.