Hamas Ties to Qatar Have Cost
Hamas seeks to maintain its independence but has faced challenges since pivoting from Syria and Iran to Qatar, writes Adnan Abu Amer.
When Hamas decided to leave Syria — a consequential and historic decision — I was certain that no Arab country — including Arab Spring countries such as Egypt, Tunisia and Libya — would agree to host the organization on its territory for many considerations, including avoiding both angering the US and depriving that country’s Islamists of popular support as a result of them having Islamist Palestinian leaders among them.
So Hamas contacted Jordan and Sudan to see if either would open up its borders to it. They both refused — in a diplomatic manner — although they welcomed dozens of Hamas members who left Syria.
After Hamas leaders have become mostly aircraft-bound as they shuttle between Egypt, Jordan, Turkey and Sudan, making contacts to establish new bases for the movement, Hamas found new a geographic option that it had never considered: moving to Qatar.
Financial support
