New York, NY, February 27, 2006 … The founding covenant of Hamas, the Palestinian terrorist group whose leaders are poised to take a central role in the governance of the Palestinian Authority, is committed not only to the destruction of Israel and the establishment of an Islamic state in its place, but to raw, unadulterated Jew-hatred.

Adopted in August 1988, the Hamas Charter openly embraces the notorious anti-Semitic forgery, "The Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion," holding it up as evidence that Jews are innately greedy, manipulative and conniving, according to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).  The charter adopts classical anti-Semitic canards: Jews as plotting to control the world, Jews acquiring wealth by stealing, and Jews controlling the levers of power in media, government and finance.  Such stereotypical anti-Semitic canards have been used through the centuries to defame and demonize Jews, leading to violence, pogroms and, ultimately, the Holocaust.

"The Hamas credo is not just anti-Israel, but profoundly anti-Semitic with racism at its core," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director.  "The Hamas Charter reads like a modern-day 'Mein Kampf.'

"Any discussion about whether Western governments should or shouldn't deal with a Hamas-led Palestinian government must not ignore the Jew hatred that is at the core of their belief system, and that none of their leaders has renounced.  Hamas wants to present a moderate face to the West, when in fact they are anything but moderate," added Mr. Foxman.

Aside from its embrace of virulently anti-Semitic myths, the Hamas Charter is replete with conspiracy theories about Jews through history.  The Charter blames "world Zionism" for the French and Communist Revolutions, World War I, and the establishment of the United Nations, which it claims was created by Jews "in order to rule the world by their intermediary."

Selected Excerpts: The Hamas Charter

•"The time will not come until Muslims will fight the Jews; until the Jews hide behind rocks and trees, which will cry: O Muslim! There is a Jew hiding behind me, come on and kill him…"

•"The Nazism of the Jews does not skip women and children, it scares everyone.  They make war against people's livelihood, plunder their moneys and threaten their honor … They took advantage of key elements in unfolding events, and accumulated a huge and influential material wealth which they put to the service of implementing their dream …."

•(Jews) control of the world media (and use their) wealth to stir revolutions … They stood behind the French and the Communist Revolutions."

•"There was no war that broke out anywhere without their (Jews') fingerprints on it."

Hamas Leaders: Inciting the Arab Street

The anti-Semitism of Hamas is not limited to their charter.  It is brought to life in recent statements by Hamas leaders, including those officials taking high-level positions in the Palestinian government.  These statements show that Hamas' leaders have no intention of backing down from the anti-Israel and anti-Semitic posture of their founding charter, or renouncing the use of violence and terrorism against civilians.

"While Hamas has attempted to moderate their tone in appealing for aid from Western governments, their leaders have continued inciting the Arab Street," said Mr. Foxman. "Their hateful rhetoric against Jews and Israel remains unchanged."

Hamas Leaders in Their Own Words

•"Hamas will not change a single word in its covenant" – Mahmoud Zahar, January 25, 2006.

•"Hamas will never recognize the legitimacy of the Zionist state that was founded on our land" – Khaled Mashaal, the Damascus-based Hamas leader, January 25, 2006.

•"The constants and the strategy of Hamas do not change according to circumstances.  Hamas will stay faithful to jihad, to resistance, to guns, to Palestine and to Jerusalem." -- Ismail Haniyah, the incoming Palestinian Prime Minister and longtime Hamas leader, January 18, 2006.

More Examples: Hamas in Their Own Words

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.