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The Washington Post has published a bold op-ed by Palestinian lawyer Mumin al-Natour, one of the organisers of the recent protests in the Gaza Strip against the Hamas regime. A former political prisoner of the group, al-Natur accuses it of corruption, abuse and destroying the future of the Palestinians.
In his article, he states that the resumption of hostilities has been a devastating blow to everyone except Hamas itself, which sees the war as an opportunity to further consolidate the power it has long feared losing. However, according to the lawyer, Gazans have nothing to lose, which is why they are taking to the streets to protest against the 18-year dictatorship.
“The position of our movement is clear. Hamas must leave because the people of Gaza want to live. Israeli hostages must be released, and this war must finally end. At the same time, Israel must recognise our right to exist and our national aspirations,” al-Natur wrote.
With bitter irony, the author notes that many in the West find it difficult to imagine protests against Hamas in Gaza – especially after a year and a half of demonstrations in the US and Europe, where many activists supported not only the Palestinians but also Hamas itself.
“But to support Hamas is to wish Palestinians death, not freedom. Hamas does not liberate us, but destroys us – with war, poverty and extortion,” he said.
Al-Natur accuses Hamas not only of using civilians as human shields, but also of systematically stealing humanitarian aid, which is then sold on the black market, profiting from the famine.
The author also criticises Western pro-Palestinian organisations that prefer to remain silent when it comes to the right of Gazans to be free from Hamas:
“We, the Palestinians, have the right to choose our own future. When the war is over, some will want to stay and rebuild the Strip, others will want to leave. Some may continue to fight against Israel, but many – like me – hope to find a new way forward for themselves and their families,” he writes.
Al-Natura’s column is a rare and important voice from inside Gaza, challenging not only the occupation but also internal oppression. It sends a clear message: Palestinians do not want to glorify the war, but to achieve true freedom – and Hamas has no place in that freedom.
