We Serve the People - Hamas Policing in Gaza

In the latest Crown Paper, Prof. Yezid Sayigh closely analyzes the nascent development of Hamas' security sector in Gaza. The government of Hamas prime minister Ismail Hanieh has showcased its success in delivering law and order and building a new police force largely from scratch since Hamas forces took complete control of Gaza in June 2007. Prof. Sayigh traces the sharp learning curve of the Hamas-run security its constant improvement of policing practice; the introduction of new departments, units, and procedures; and the development of an integrated criminal justice system. In addition, Prof. Sayigh brings to light the security sector's actions to spearhead the Islamization of society and to help in the reconstruction of public order in keeping with the Islamic and conservative social values of Hamas, while challenges from political rivals and competitors have prompted a tightening of security surveillance, increased intimidation, and the continuing suppression of some basic human rights and individual freedoms. Prof. Sayigh carefully articulates the new authoritarianism emerging as the provision of law and order has fused with the need to maintain security and the struggle to ensure political survival, compounded by the absence of Palestinian national reconciliation and democratic governance.