How Propaganda Blurs Hamas with the Palestinian People to Block Solutions
1. Aren’t all Palestinians basically Hamas?
No. Hamas is one political-military group. Palestinians are millions of civilians — families, students, workers — many of whom oppose Hamas or have no political alignment. Treating them as the same justifies mass punishment.
2. Don’t Gazans support Hamas anyway?
Under siege and occupation, democratic choice is limited. The last full election was in 2006. Even if some support exists, punishing an entire people for the choices of some is collective punishment — a war crime.
3. If you criticize Israel, aren’t you just siding with Hamas?
This false binary erases the existence of Palestinians as human beings with rights outside Hamas. One can oppose Hamas and oppose mass killing of civilians.
4.Isn’t Hamas using all of Gaza as a human shield?
That framing makes every Palestinian life expendable. International law says civilians must still be protected, even if militants are present. Propaganda turns all Gazans into “legitimate targets.”
5. But don’t Hamas and Palestinians have the same goals?
Palestinians’ goals are basic: freedom, dignity, safety, and an end to occupation. Hamas is a political faction with its own ideology. Collapsing the two blocks discussion of real Palestinian aspirations.
6. Doesn’t Hamas speak for Gaza?
No more than a ruling party speaks for every citizen everywhere. To equate Hamas with “the people” is like saying every American is the government, or every Russian is Putin.
7. Isn’t every aid to Palestinians just aid to Hamas?
Propaganda paints all aid as “helping terrorists,” which justifies starving and bombing civilians. Humanitarian aid is monitored by the UN and NGOs to reach civilians.
8. Why does media always say ‘Hamas-controlled Gaza’?
This phrase primes audiences to view 2 million people as extensions of a group. It dehumanizes civilians and reframes atrocities as attacks on “Hamas,” not on families.
9. Doesn’t Hamas reject peace, so Palestinians do too?
Palestinians have historically supported peace initiatives (Oslo, Arab Peace Plan). Propaganda highlights Hamas supposed rejectionism to erase broader Palestinian willingness for solutions.
10. Why does this blurring matter?
Because it justifies endless war. If every Palestinian = Hamas, then bombing civilians, blocking food, or rejecting peace talks looks “reasonable.” Recognizing the difference is the first step toward real solutions.
