Hamas Sees Gaza Protests as Peaceful — and as a ‘Deadly Weapon’ Photo The political leader of Hamas, Ismail Haniya, likened Palestinians’ struggle to those for India’s independence, against racial segregation in the United States and against apartheid in South Africa. Credit Mahmud Hams/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images GAZA CITY — It was a striking tableau: Ismail Haniya, the political leader of Hamas, the Islamic militant group that has tried suicide bombs, rockets and attack tunnels in its long struggle with Israel, standing before portraits of the giants of nonviolent resistance — Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela.
Urging on Palestinians who have staged a new campaign of protests along the fence separating Gaza from Israel, Mr. Haniya likened their struggle to those for India’s independence, against racial segregation and discrimination in the United States, and against apartheid in South Africa.
“This blessed protest is national, peaceful, popular and civ..