With the US holding secret talks with Hamas — ignoring its long-held policy of refusing to engage with groups it designates as terrorist — a vicious anti-free speech campaign is underway in the UK to undermine the launch of a new book, Understanding Hamas: And Why That Matters, at a UK university. In what is seen as a direct assault on academic freedom, leading pro-Israeli groups and Zionist media publications have mounted a concerted effort to have the event cancelled.
The campaign has involved calls for government intervention, and organised protests aimed at what is seen as intimidation of both speakers and attendees. Despite these efforts, publishers of the book have informed MEMO that the London School of Economics (LSE) remains committed to holding the event, albeit under heightened security.
Described as not being an endorsement of Hamas, the book co-edited by Helena Cobban and Rami G Khouri, is presented as an effort to provide a deeper understanding of a movement that has become a key player in the region.
Through a series of expert conversations, the book examines Hamas’s transition from social and religious activism to national political engagement, the intricate relationship between its political and military wings, and its ideological evolution. It specifically highlights how Hamas has moved away from early anti-Jewish tendencies, now framing its resistance as opposition to Zionism — a political ideology advocating Jewish supremacy in Palestine — rather than against Judaism or Jewish people.
The book challenges dominant Western narratives that often conflate Hamas’s political stance with religious hostility towards Jews, aiming to provide a more honest and nuanced perspective on its motivations and actions.
Cobban, a veteran journalist and researcher on international affairs, has spent decades studying political and strategic developments in the Middle East. She is the author of multiple books, including The Palestinian Liberation Organisation, and was a longtime columnist for the Christian Science Monitor and Al-Hayat. In 2010, she founded Just World Books and later co-founded Just World Educational, where she now serves as president.
Co-author Khouri, a Palestinian Christian commentator and journalist, has also spent decades analysing the politics of the region. His family is originally from Nazareth, and he has been a prominent voice in discussions about Palestinian identity and resistance.
During a recent discussion about the book, Cobban explained the project’s origins, emphasising that the Western public discourse surrounding Hamas has been shaped by myths, disinformation and political agendas. She noted that while much of the discussion about the current crisis has focused on the humanitarian dimension, few are willing to engage with the group. This avoidance, she argued, only fuels misunderstanding and prevents serious engagement with the realities on the ground.
Cobban stressed that one of the key takeaways from the book is that Hamas cannot simply be dismissed or wished away. It is not a monolithic organisation but a complex movement with multiple constituencies and a long history of political adaptation. She pointed out that Hamas has repeatedly signalled a willingness to negotiate, but that this has often been ignored by Western policymakers who continue to insist on the group’s total exclusion. The book also challenges the notion that Hamas is an anomaly, arguing instead that it is a reflection of broader Palestinian sentiment.
The timing of the book’s release is significant. The Trump administration, which has traditionally backed Israel unconditionally, is now engaged in direct negotiations with Hamas over the release of captives. Many see this as an attempt to bypass Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been accused of prioritising his political survival over securing the release of the hostages.
The book’s publication also comes amid renewed debate over Western policies towards Hamas. Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has admitted that the decision to boycott Hamas after its 2006 election victory was a mistake, acknowledging that engagement is necessary for any resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
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The push to suppress the book launch has sparked outrage among free speech advocates, who warn that allowing such pressure to dictate academic discourse sets a dangerous precedent. Critics argue that restricting discussion on Hamas — especially at a time when the US itself is engaging with the group — reflects a double standard designed to stifle informed debate on Palestine.
Despite the intimidation, the event will go ahead with a distinguished panel of experts, including Catherine Charrett, senior lecturer in International Relations at the University of Westminster; Jeroen Gunning, visiting professor at the LSE Middle East Centre; Mouin Rabbani, co-editor of Jadaliyya and former analyst for the International Crisis Group; and Michael Mason, director of the LSE Middle East Centre.
Cobban has emphasised that the book is not about advocating for or against Hamas but about ensuring that policymakers and the public have an informed understanding of the movement’s role. Co-editor Khouri has echoed this sentiment, arguing that Hamas cannot be ignored in any meaningful discussion about the region’s future.
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