The supporters of In Defence of Marxism circle, denounce the arrest of
members in the leadership of Abnaa el-Balad movement (the Sons of the country).
We call upon all those who genuinely seek to defend the very basic democratic
rights in this country, and first of all the Communist party, its youth movement
and Hadash (the Democratic Front for Peace and Equality), by taking the lead for
organizing united front actions in defence of Abnaa el-Balad.
Hamas has emerged as a force in the Palestinian Territories and has
recently hit the headlines because of a spate of suicide bombings. This article
looks at the origins of this movement. It recalls how in the past, when it
suited them, the Israeli authorities tried to use Hamas as a counterbalance to
the influence of the PLO. Now it has become a source of further instability.