Telling Symbolism From the Hamas Logo

The symbols of the Hamas logo illustrate the group's intractable attitude toward Israel. At the top is an outline of the territory of Israel, Gaza and the West Bank shown as one entity covered in green, Hamas' symbolic color. In the center is the Muslim shrine the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, surrounded by banners bearing the phrases "There is no god but Allah" and "Muhammad is the messenger of Allah." Underneath those are the words "Palestine" and "Islamic Resistance Movement—Hamas." The swords are a common Islamic motif, representing the power of Islam and the desire to spread the religion, by force if necessary.