> i have pointed above out a number of times over the years on several
> e-lists, have asked without answer whether hama leadership
> acknowledges israel's role in organization's early years, asking
> again... mh
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamas
However, various sources, among them United Press International,[36] Le Canard enchaîné, Bill Baar and L'Humanité[37] have claimed that Hamas' early growth - before its official founding and the creation of the military branch - had been supported by the Mossad as a "counterbalance to the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)". Furthermore, the French investigative newspaper Le Canard enchaîné claimed that Shin Bet had also supported Hamas as a counterweight to the PLO and Fatah, in an attempt to give "a religious slant to the conflict, in order to make the West believe that the conflict was between Jews and Muslims", thus supporting the controversial thesis of a "clash of civilizations".[38]
Hamas history tied to Israel", United Press International, June 18, 2002
(English)/(French)"Hamas is a creation of Mossad (English translation)", L'Humanité, Summer 2002. Retrieved on May 2, 2006.; French original version: "Hamas, le produit du Mossad", L'Humanité, December 14, 2001. Retrieved on May 3, 2006.
Les très secrètes 'relations' Israël-Hamas (The very secret Israel-Hamas 'relations'), Le Canard Enchaîné, February 1, 2006 (issue n°4449) -- Michael Pugliese