Son of Hamas: A Gripping Account of Terror, Betrayal, Political Intrigue, and Unthinkable Choices

Son of Hamas: A Gripping Account of Terror, Betrayal, Political Intrigue, and Unthinkable Choices is a 2010 memoir by Mosab Hassan Yousef. It chronicles his childhood and young adulthood in the Israeli-occupied West Bank region of Palestine. He became closely associated with the militant Islamic Resistance Movement (more commonly known by its Arab acronym, Hamas) as both a member and a double agent for Israeli intelligence during the Second Intifada (2000-2005). The book launched Yousef’s career as the best-known former member of Hamas to become a public opponent of the group. In 2014, a documentary adaptation called The Green Prince won many awards, including Best Documentary at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival.

This guide refers to the 2011 Kindle edition published by Tyndale House Publishers.

Content Warning: The source text and this guide discuss acts of terrorism and political violence. They also contain highly controversial viewpoints on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including perspectives that could be considered offensive to Muslims and Arabs. In all such instances, this guide will make clear that it is reproducing the views of the author and is not intended to endorse any such views.

Summary

The book begins by describing how in 1996, a high-school-aged Yousef was captured and beaten by the Israeli military. Yousef then chronicles the stories of his grandfather and father, Hassan, who were well-respected sheikhs (religious leaders). Yousef grew up in a pious household, where he saw the side of Islam that focused on charity and social justice. However, Yousef—a Christian convert by the time of the book’s publication—also believes that his father fell into a darker aspect of Islam that promotes violence and fanaticism. In 1987, a movement known as the Intifada (later the First Intifada) instigated widespread Palestinian resistance to Israeli rule. Hassan became a co-founder of Hamas and, as a result, was imprisoned multiple times. Yousef thus grew up fiercely resentful of Israeli rule. After taking part in stone-throwing and other demonstrations, Yousef made a haphazard attempt to procure a weapon, promptly leading to his arrest, imprisonment, and extended isolation. Eventually, officers from Shin Bet (Israeli intelligence) offered Yousef the chance to work with them. He initially believed that he would only pretend to work for Shin Bet while furthering the interests of Hamas; however, he changed his mind when he witnessed corrupt or malicious Hamas leaders accuse, torture, and kill their fellow members in prison, seemingly for their own power or enjoyment. This disillusionment contrasted with the kind and thoughtful behavior of his Israeli handlers, puncturing the stereotypes of Jews and Israelis with which he was raised.

Eventually released from prison, Yousef at first had little work to do, instead attending Christian meetings while Shin Bet pays for his college education. By 2000, however, another deadly Intifada broke out, one in which Hamas took a leading role in conducting deadly suicide bombings against Israeli civilians. While reluctant to spy on his friends and family, Yousef decided to prioritize saving innocent lives. He describes himself as pivotal in disrupting attacks or capturing the perpetrators of other attacks, all while protecting his father against the danger of Israeli assassination. As the Intifada died down, Yousef craved a normal life free from danger and duplicity. Eventually, he moved to the United States and publicly declared his conversion to Christianity, ultimately leading his father to disown him.