Son of Hamas
Mosab Hassan Yousef is a Palestinian who was born in Ramallah in 1978. He is notably known for his past as an informant for Israel’s internal security service, Shin Bet. Mosab is the son of Sheikh Hassan Yousef, a founding member of Hamas, a Palestinian Islamist political organization and terrorist group.
Growing up in the West Bank, Mosab was initially involved in Hamas’ activities. However, his perspectives began to change after he was arrested and witnessed the brutality within the Israeli prison system. He was subsequently recruited by Shin Bet and worked undercover for a decade, providing intelligence that prevented dozens of suicide attacks and assassinations of Israelis, exposed numerous Hamas cells, and assisted Israel in hunting down many militants.
In 2010, Mosab Yousef published an autobiography titled “Son of Hamas,” which details his covert cooperation with Israeli intelligence and provides an inside view of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. His actions, regarded as a betrayal by Hamas, forced him to seek asylum in the United States. Mosab’s story is a complex one, reflecting the intricate and often personal nature of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. His life after moving to the United States has included a conversion to Christianity, which has further distanced him from his family and heritage.
The Book: “Son of Hamas”
“Son of Hamas” is an autobiography by Mosab Hassan Yousef, published in 2010. The book offers a unique perspective on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as it narrates Yousef’s journey from being the son of a founding member of Hamas, Sheikh Hassan Yousef, to becoming a key informant for Israel’s internal security service, Shin Bet.
In the book, Yousef details his experiences growing up in the West Bank, his initial involvement in Hamas, and his subsequent disillusionment with the organization’s tactics and ideology. After being arrested by the Israelis, he was shocked by the violence and torture in prison, not only by the Israelis but also between Palestinian prisoners. This experience, coupled with Shin Bet’s approach towards him, led to his decision to work undercover for Israel.
Yousef provided intelligence over a decade that prevented numerous terrorist attacks, saved lives, and led to the arrest of several high-profile militants. His work was crucial in undermining Hamas’s efforts in the region.
The book also delves into Yousef’s personal struggles, including his eventual conversion to Christianity, which added another layer of complexity to his life story. This conversion was a significant factor in his estrangement from his family and his eventual asylum in the United States.
“Son of Hamas” received wide attention for its candid and often controversial portrayal of the inner workings of Hamas and the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It provides a rare insider’s view of the conflict, challenging many common perceptions and narratives.
