Historical Rise and Modern Day Significance of PLO, Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas, and Hezbollah - Essay Example

Weinberger (2007), opines that “Indeed, the financial and political weakness of the PLO made the Israelis begin to see the organization as a potential negotiating partner who would be more flexible and willing to moderate past positions” (p. 3). Now, PLO plays an important role in negotiations with Israel. This proves that the modern-day significance of PLO is beyond a militant organization aiming to liberate Palestine.

     The Muslim Brotherhood or MB is a political organization/party which deeply influences the Arab world. This organization was created in the year 1928 by an Egyptian, namely Hassan al-Banna. The ideology of this organization is deeply rooted in Islam and is aiming to gain political power. As a political organization, the Muslim Brotherhood can play an important role in democratizing the Arab world. 

     The Hamas, a Palestinian political group controls some parts of the Gaza Strip. This group is not a purely political party because it has a militant branch. Hamas deeply influence Palestinian politics. The majority of the world nations consider Hamas as a terrorist group because it is based upon religious fundamentalism and is affiliated with Islamic Brotherhood. The modern-day significance of Hamas is that it can play an important role in neutralizing the conflict between Israel and Palestine.

     Hezbollah, a Lebanese organization/ militant group is based upon Islamic ideology. Most of the world nations do not consider Hezbollah as an independent political party because it receives funds from some of the Middle Eastern nations. This fund is used by Hezbollah to increase support among the people in the region. The modern-day significance of Hezbollah is that it can transform into a major political party in Lebanon.

The main differences among PLO, Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas, and Hezbollah

     The PLO is a political party that plays an important role in reducing the scope of further problems between Israel and Palestine. Israel and world nations consider PLO as a legitimate political party that can be trusted. Israel used to negotiate with PLO to reduce further problems in the area. On the other side, Muslim Brotherhood is based upon religious fundamentalism. Morse (2003), states that “Today the Brotherhood is backed by Saudi Arabian petrol-dollars and is behind many secretive terrorist groups including Hamas and Islamic Jihad” (p. 35). The Muslim Brotherhood is not a regional party, but an international organization of Muslims with several affiliated branches. It aims to create the international kingdom of Islam and is totally against democracy.

      Apart from PLO and Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas is a political unit and a militant group. The political side of Hamas helps to influence the people in the Gaza Strip and its militant side fights against Israel. This dual identity covers the real aim of Hamas as a militant group. On the other side, Hezbollah claims to be a political party with religious aims. The revenue from oil export in the Middle East helps Hezbollah to be an equipped militant group in the region. These are the main differences among PLO, Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas, and Hezbollah.

Threat from PLO, Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas, and Hezbollah to the United States

     The PLO is not an imminent triptote homeland security in the United States because it is ready to accept the core elements of democracy. This political group plays an important role in reducing the scope of violence between Israel and Palestine. But Muslim Brotherhood is an international organization with deeper influence among the immigrant population in the United States. So, this organization must be considered as an imminent threat to tazomeline security in the United States. Hamas is a regional political group with less influence beyond the Arab area or the Middle East. Therefore, Hamas is not a serious threat to homeland security in the United States. But Hezbollah is a militant group that is satiated with terrorist groups. Harik (2005) makes clear that “Hezbollah, for instance, is considered a legitimate resistance force all over the Arab and Muslim worlds” (p. 7). Hence, Hezbollah can be considered a serious threat to homeland security in the United States. 

     Summing, the international terrorist groups are trying to influence the immigrant population to spread terrorism and religious fundamentalism. Some of the nations in the Middle East are ready to provide funds to these international groups which are not ready to accept democracy. When the whole world is rapidly accepting democracy, these militant groups based upon religious fundamentalism and militant nationalism are moving towards terrorism. Some of the militant political groups like the Muslim Brotherhood and Hezbollah must be considered as an imminent threat to universal brotherhood and world peace.