Psychologist Ahmad Mansour explains: That’s why young men join Hamas

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What drives young men to join Hamas? And why don’t they shy away from committing crimes? Palestinian-Israeli psychologist Ahmad Mansour (47) answered these questions in an interview with “NZZ am Sonntag”.

“People generally become radicalized – regardless of whether it concerns right-wing radicalism or Islamism – because the radical ideology in question offers them orientation, support and clear words,” the Islamism expert explains. The world is explained to potential recruits in black and white images. Members of radical ideologies are said to feel that they belong to an elite.

Narcissism, lack of empathy, manipulation

Mansour was part of the radical Islamist circles around Hamas in his youth and is therefore very familiar with the worldview of the Palestinian terrorist organization. “I wanted to belong somewhere,” he says today. At the time, he believed he belonged to a group that would “one day rule the world.”

According to Mansour, the personalities of Hamas leaders differ significantly from those of ordinary fighters. The leaders were characterized by narcissism, lack of empathy and the ability to manipulate others. “People with this personality structure are never the ones who blow themselves up with an explosive belt,” Mansour emphasizes.

‘They get excited about pain and murder’

When asked about the recent atrocities in Israel, Mansour finds clear words. He calls the young men who shot babies in the head “psychopaths.” “Just like others who watch porn, they get aroused by pain, torture, rape and murder. “They feel like beheading other people,” Mansour analyzes. The Hamas terrorists would not act out of necessity, but out of pure hatred.

“Even though I hated Jews and thought suicide bombers were cool, for me I could never pick up a gun and shoot,” Mansour says of his own experiences. The brutality of its members varies – ideology has no control over the capacity for empathy.

‘Anyone who shows weakness in the Middle East will be eaten’

Mansour recruited children and young people for years, gave Koran lessons and was involved in local politics. When he started studying psychology in Tel Aviv at the age of twenty, something changed. “The encounters with those I considered enemies who quickly became friends, but also the books I read, made me have doubts.” After a long process and isolation in his native village, he finally managed to get out.

Mansour has only one thing to say about the Israeli army leadership’s threats following the attack: “Anyone who shows weakness in the Middle East will be eaten.” Since Israel has already shown this weakness, it must be corrected. Otherwise, it can become a threat to your existence. (nad/gs)

Source: Blick