Why ‘Washington Post’ columnist Shadi Hamid excuses Hamas, demonizes Israel, Jews - opinion

The article scrutinizes Washington Post columnist Shadi Hamid's record on Hamas, Israel, and Gaza, arguing that he excuses Hamas's violence, demonizes Israel, and marginalizes Jews politically. It cites Hamid's columns and social media posts since October 7, 2023, including his claim that Hamas is not evil and his accusation that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. The piece contrasts Hamid's views with those of Gaza-born activist Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib and criticizes Hamid for ignoring Hamas's ideology and the threat it posed to Israel.

The Jerusalem Post opinion piece, written by CAMERA researcher David Gerstman, scrutinizes Washington Post columnist Shadi Hamid's record on Hamas, Israel, and Gaza. It argues that Hamid excuses Hamas's violence, demonizes Israel, and marginalizes Jews politically. The article contrasts Hamid with Gaza-born activist Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, who wrote a New York Times op-ed calling for Hamas's expulsion from Gaza. It cites Hamid's October 31, 2023 Washington Post column arguing Hamas is not evil, written three weeks after the October 7 massacre, and his May 28, 2025 op-ed accusing Israel of genocide. The piece notes a UNICEF study showing acute malnutrition in Gaza at 0.2% to 0.8%, similar to pre-war levels, contradicting starvation claims. It also cites law professor David Bernstein arguing that Israel's conduct has a plausible explanation, undermining genocide accusations. The article further criticizes Hamid's opposition to Josh Shapiro's VP candidacy, implying Shapiro's pro-Israel views are outside the Democratic mainstream. The piece concludes that three years after the worst mass-killing of Jews since World War II, a prominent newspaper has a columnist who excuses terrorists and demonizes Israel.