Tears, anger and the Palestinian issue

Much of “Hamas: Behind the Mask,” showing tonight on the Discovery Times Channel, deals with young men: angry, determined young Palestinians who gladly join a shadowy, violent organization whose goal is the destruction of Israel.

But it may be the faces of the mothers that are the most memorable aspect of this top-notch, emotionally powerful documentary.

An Israeli mother tells of her daughter being killed by a Hamas rocket in an unprovoked attack. And a Palestinian mother tells of her five children who were killed by an Israeli tank.

One mother says she goes into the desert and cries “until I have no more tears.”

The documentary by Canadian filmmaker Shelley Saywell tries to explain how Hamas has skillfully combined religious fervor, charitable works and violence to position itself as the legitimate voice for the Palestinians. Saywell began work months before Hamas won political power in the recent elections.

The Hamas victory may have caught the Bush administration by surprise, but Saywell anticipated that the group’s ascendance was virtually assured by the corruption and incompetence of the Palestinian Authority. Hamas leaders look straight at the camera and talk of future violence.

“Israel cannot occupy us and feel secure: That is the message of Hamas,” says one.

“Behind the Mask” does not pretend to be the definitive look at the Israeli-Palestinian struggle but rather a primer. The goal is journalistic objectivity but, by giving more time to the Palestinian side, it may leave itself open to charges of imbalance.

As if in anticipation of this, the narrator reminds us, “Unlike Hamas, Israeli [military] operations do not target civilians -- but Palestinians do not see the distinction.” A Palestinian psychologist says that 45% of Palestinian children have witnessed the humiliation of their fathers by Israeli soldiers -- the kind of experience that later makes them Hamas volunteers.

“Behind the Mask” offers no solutions, just insights into the deep sense of grievance felt on both sides and the determination of each not to give in.

A wall meant to keep the sides apart is met by tunnels to continue the fighting. High-tech weaponry is met with suicide bombers.

Just how Hamas will handle its newfound political power is one of the uncertainties in one of the world’s most uncertain places.

Among the group’s fervent supporters is a woman who proudly encouraged her son to become a “martyr,” killing five Israelis.

“I have no repentance,” she says.

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‘Hamas: Behind the Mask’

Where: Discovery Times Channel

When: 8 tonight