Source Note #5
Summary: The BBC profiles the more extreme wing of the Palestinian government, Hamas.
Topic: Should the Obama administration fund the defense of Israel?
Category: Mainstream Journalistic
What is it? Profile from the BBC’s website
Title: Who are Hamas?
Publication Information: BBC, Jan. 4, 2009
Author: None listed
Location: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/1654510.stm
Accessed: Jan. 30, 2009
Support:
Khalid Meshaal, PLO leader-in-exile
King Hussein
King Abdullah II
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu
Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, Hamas’s founder
Yasser Arafat, former PLO leader
Camp David Accords
These sources are discussed, quoted, or cited in the article because of their actions and influence in the development of Hamas. Together, they give a historical context of the political movement.
Source Analysis:
The BBC claims it is the largest broadcasting corporation in the world and broadcasts over television, radio, and the internet. It provides its news in 32 different languages to a worldwide audience. BBC Worldwide publishes books and television programs. According to the BBC’s “About” page, “the BBC is governed by the BBC Trust, which represents the interests of licence fee payers and sets the overall strategy.”
Usefulness:
Although Hamas is a legitimately elected political party in the Palestinian territories, it is still considered a terrorist organization by the United States, Israel, and myriad other countries. Its goals as a governing party are misconstrued as violent attempts at jihad, but this article seeks to explicate the history of Hamas and how it protects the best interests of its constituents.
Works cited:
Who are Hamas?
What is the BBC?
One Reply
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