Understanding Hamas and Why It Matters
On Monday, Nonviolence International co-sponsored an engaging book launch and discussion, titled Understanding Hamas: And Why That Matters, at the American University. The co-author, Helena Cobban, discussed the complexities of Hamas, its evolution, and its role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Jonathan Kuttab, co-founder of Nonviolence International, also participated in the discussion, alongside American University Abdul Azis Said Endowed Chair, Mohammed Abu-Nimer.
The discussion highlighted the points that make understanding Hamas essential for policymakers, scholars, and anyone interested in the future of the region. Key themes were explored, such as Hamas’s governance, its political legitimacy and relevance, and the movement’s influence on contemporary regional and international affairs.
Kuttab noted that although he is a Christian, a believer in secular governance, and a pacifist, that recognizing Hamas (and not demonizing it) as a major stakeholder in Palestinian affairs is essential to achieving peace and justice.
The book, transcripted from a series of webinars promoted by Helena’s and Rami George Khouri’s organization Just World Educational, offers in-depth conversations with leading experts Paola Caridi, Jeroen Gunning, Khaled Hroub, Mouin Rabbani and Azzam Tamimi, to provide nuanced insights into Hamas's political and military wings and its historical transformations.
Click below to view a recording of the event!
Understanding Hamas and Why It Matters
Nonviolence International (USA) is co-sponsoring the book talk about Understanding Hamas, with Abdul Aziz Said Chair and Professor Mohammed Abu-Nimer at American University on Feb 10th at 7pm.
Helena Cobban is a writer and researcher on international affairs who lives in Washington DC. In 1984, Cambridge U.P. published her seminal study The Palestinian Liberation Organisation. Three of her six other sole-authored books dealt with political and strategic developments in the Arab-Israeli theater, the rest with more global matters. For 17 years she contributed a regular column on global issues to The Christian Science Monitor and Al-Hayat (London). In 2010 she founded Just World Books, which has published ground-breaking titles by Palestinian, Zionism-questioning Jewish, and other authors; and in 2016 she was a co-founder of Just World Educational, which she now serves as president. Her current main writing platform is Globalities.org. In late 2024 she co-authored a book titled Understanding Hamas: And Why It Matters with Rami Khouri to shed light on Hamas from cultural, historical, political, and sociological perspectives.
Jonathan Kuttab, will serve as a discussant. He is a co-founder of Nonviolence International. A well-known international human rights attorney, Kuttab has established himself as a prominent speaker on nonviolence. He is also a co-founder of the Palestinian human rights group Al-Haq, President of the Board of the Bethlehem Bible College, and Executive Director of the Friends of Sabeel North America. He is the author of many articles and books including Beyond the Two-State Solution and The Truth Shall Set You Free.
The event will be held at the Abramson Family Founders Room at the School of International Service Building in Washington DC and open to the public. Copies of the book will be available for sale and signing. The event will be livestreamed and recorded on www.youtube.com/nonviolence.
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