Who's the Real Terrorist: Hamas or the IDF?

I have always viewed Senator Bernie Sanders as a voice of reason and held him in high regard-particularly for his consistent concern about the plight of the Palestinian people.

However, I was shocked and saddened to hear him recently refer to Hamas as a "terrorist organization" during a CBS News interview in March 2024. In that interview, Sanders stated that both Hamas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "must go."

To the people of Gaza, Hamas and other resistance fighters are not terrorists. They are their sons, daughters, brothers, and sisters-defending their homes and families. These fighters are not mercenaries like those serving in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), often accused of committing atrocities with impunity. Were it not for Palestinian resistance on the ground, the IDF would likely have inflicted even greater devastation on Gaza than they already have.

These courageous fighters do not bow their heads except before Almighty God. Their motto: "It's jihad until either victory or martyrdom," reflects a spiritual and national commitment-not a declaration of blind violence.

I agree with you, Senator Sanders, that it is long overdue for War Criminal Netanyahu to step down. But labeling Hamas as a terrorist organization? That's where I draw the line. Hamas is a liberation movement that has been defending the 2.2 million Palestinians in Gaza for over 20 months-without access to adequate food, clean water, or proper weaponry, relying instead on improvised means.

The Senator from Vermont was half-right, but failed to address the root causes of the current crisis. If he truly wishes to stop the bleeding in Gaza, he should begin by calling for:

• An immediate and permanent ceasefire;
• The full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza;
• An "all-for-all" hostage exchange: the remaining Israeli hostages in exchange for all 12,000 Palestinian political prisoners;
• A comprehensive reconstruction of Gaza.

It is also important to acknowledge a critical, often-overlooked fact: In March 2017, The Times of Israel reported that Hamas had agreed in principle to accept a Palestinian state along the 1967 borders. This marked a significant shift from the group's earlier stance of reclaiming all of historic Palestine. While Hamas still does not recognize Israel's legitimacy, this was a monumental development. It is disappointing that Senator Sanders failed to recognize it.

Let me also clarify a few points to avoid confusion:

• Hamas is not the enemy of the United States.
• Hamas has never attacked the U.S. or its allies in Europe.
• Hamas has not killed American sailors in cold blood.
• Hamas did not murder American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh.
• Hamas did not kill U.S. peace activist Rachel Corrie.
• Hamas has not interfered in U.S. elections or stolen American technology.
• Hamas does not receive $3.8 billion in annual U.S. aid.
• It was not Hamas, but Israeli settlers who brutally beat to death Saif al-Din Kamil Abdul Karim Musalat, a 20-year-old U.S. citizen from Tampa, Florida, on July 11, 2025, north of Ramallah while he was visiting family. Settlers then blocked emergency services from reaching him for over three hours.
• It is the IDF-not Hamas-that should be designated as a foreign terrorist organization.

Senator Sanders should also recall that when former IDF soldier Edan Alexander was released by Hamas, it was through direct negotiations with the Trump administration. As a goodwill gesture, Hamas released the Jewish-American soldier without any exchange. I didn't hear Sanders criticize President Trump for engaging in talks with a so-called "terror group"-a silence that would seem hypocritical given his recent comments.

Finally, if Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories is indeed illegal under international law-and it is-then resistance to that occupation is, by definition, legitimate. To equate Palestinian resistance with terrorism is to endorse the continued brutal occupation of Palestinian land and the oppression of its people.

Mahmoud El-Youseph is a Palestinian freelancer and Ret. USAF veteran: He could be reached at [email protected]