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Belal Shobaki

Al-Shabaka Policy Member Belal Shobaki is the Head of the Department of Political Science at Hebron University, Palestine. He is a member of the American Political Studies Association. He has published on Political Islam and identity and is now working on a research project on Palestinian-Israeli interaction in the old town of Hebron. Shobaki is the former Editor-in-Chief of Alwaha Newspaper in Malaysia. He was also a Lecturer in the Department of Political Science at An-Najah National University and the Head of the studies Unit at the Palestinian Centre for Democracy and Studies.

Policy Brief Politics

Why It’s Dangerous to Conflate Hamas and Daesh

Israel and some Arab states have been tarring Hamas and Daesh with the same brush despite key differences and, indeed, enmity. Al-Shabaka Policy Member Belal Shobaki shows how Hamas differs from Daesh in jurisprudence, the nature of the state, and relations with other religions. He cautions that excluding moderate Islamists could drive some to embrace extremism.

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Roundtable Politics

Palestinian Youth Revolt: Any Role for Political Parties?

Palestinian parties remain entrenched in the political system despite their splits and weaknesses. What role can they play within - or outside - the PLO and what other avenues exist for national or local leadership? While some Al-Shabaka policy analysts offer ideas beyond the current political set-up, others suggest ways to make the current structure work.

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Policy Brief Politics

Hamas: Three Tough Hurdles in 2015

Photo of boy with Hamas flag

Hamas’s putative rapprochement with Iran scratches the surface of the problems facing the Islamic movement. Al-Shabaka Policy Member Bilal Shobaki zeroes in on three of Hamas’ major challenges: definitively dealing with a Charter from which it has distanced itself; reviving its base in the West Bank; and restoring it regional alliances.

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