Hassan Yousef (Hamas leader)

Sheikh Hassan Yousef (born in 1955, Ramallah) is one of the leaders of Hamas in the West Bank.

He is considered a member of Hamas' extremist faction,[1] though he refrains from any talk of rapprochement between Israel and the Palestinians. He is also considered one of the spiritual leaders of Hamas.[2]

Yousef is married to Sabba Abu Salem. They have six sons and three daughters. His eldest son, Mosab Hassan Yousef, became a Christian and worked with Shin Bet to prevent attacks on Israeli civilians, as he considered such attacks immoral and destructive to the Palestinian cause. He got disowned by his father but is considered a hero by many Americans as well as Israelis.[3][4]

In July 2nd, 2019 Hassan's youngest son Suhib Hassan Yousef appeared in an interview with Israeli T.V. criticizing Hamas and describing it as a corrupt terrorist organization which sparked huge anger from members of Hamas describing him as a traitor and a collaborator, and other Hamas affiliated networks said that he was working with the Israeli Mossad which completely deny. [5] [who/which deny his involvement?]

Politics

Yousef was arrested by the Israeli authorities several times, starting from 1993. He became the visible leader of the Second Intifada.

While in jail in 2005, Yousef was nominated to represent Hamas during the elections. This was against his will, as he did not think that Hamas could become a political party. He was initially unwilling, but the Hamas leaders did not accept his refusal. Yousef eventually agreed, when he found out that his eldest son had received death threats.[6]

On October 19, 2015, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) raided Yousef's home in the West Bank village of Beitunia and once again arrested the Hamas co-founder, accusing him of inciting recent violence.[7]

References
  1. Avi Issacharoff, Haarez News, 21 June 2006
  2. Caridi, Paola (2012). Hamas: From Resistance to Government. Seven Stories Press. p. 362. ISBN 978-1-60980-382-7.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  3. Elsworth, Catherine; Carolynne Wheeler (August 24, 2008). "Mosab Hassan Yousef, son of Hamas leader, becomes a Christian". Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved March 7, 2010.
  4. Mosab Hassan Yousef. Son of Hamas.
  5. "تفاصيل ارتباط صهيب نجل القيادي في حماس حسن يوسف بالموساد". gazaalan.net.
  6. Yousef, Mosab Hassan, and Ron Brackin, Son of Hamas. SaltRiver, 2010. ISBN 9781414333076 p235
  7. http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/WATCH-IDF-troops-arrest-Hamas-co-founder-Hassan-Yousef-before-dawn-427499
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