Fact Check: "Hamas Wants to Destroy Jews"
What We Know
The claim that "Hamas wants to destroy Jews" is supported by various sources that outline the organization's foundational documents and recent actions. According to a letter from House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, Hamas has committed acts of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes against the Jewish people and the State of Israel, particularly during the attacks on October 7, 2023. McCaul states that Hamas's actions were not merely acts of terrorism but were carried out with the intent to destroy a significant part of the Jewish population (McCaul Declares Hamas Committed Acts of Genocide).
The original 1988 Hamas Covenant explicitly calls for the destruction of Jews, stating, "The Day of Judgement will not come about until Moslems fight the Jews (killing the Jews)" (The Hamas Covenant). This document outlines Hamas's ideological foundation, which includes the complete obliteration of Israel and the establishment of an Islamic state. The 2017 document, while attempting to present a more moderate image, still emphasizes armed resistance against what it terms the "Zionist project" (Hamas's Genocidal Intentions Were Never a Secret).
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim that Hamas seeks to destroy Jews is robust, primarily stemming from the organization's own writings and the recent statements by officials regarding their actions. The 1988 Covenant is particularly significant as it lays out a clear intent to annihilate Jews, which has been corroborated by numerous analyses (The Hamas Covenant, Hamas in Its Own Words). The explicit language used in these documents indicates a long-standing commitment to anti-Jewish violence.
Moreover, the recent actions of Hamas, including the coordinated attacks on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,400 people and numerous atrocities, further substantiate the claim. McCaul's letter highlights that these acts were not isolated incidents but part of a broader genocidal agenda (McCaul Declares Hamas Committed Acts of Genocide).
While some sources, such as the 2017 Hamas Document, attempt to frame the conflict as anti-Zionist rather than anti-Jewish, this distinction is often seen as a rhetorical strategy rather than a genuine shift in ideology (Hamas's Genocidal Intentions Were Never a Secret). The historical context and the consistency of Hamas's messaging over decades lend credibility to the assertion that their ultimate goal includes the destruction of the Jewish people.
Conclusion
Verdict: True. The claim that "Hamas wants to destroy Jews" is substantiated by both historical documents and recent actions of the organization. The explicit language in the Hamas Covenant, along with the recent declaration of genocide by U.S. officials, indicates a clear and ongoing intent to harm the Jewish population.
