With every threat to me, I feel proud that I am a bone in the enemy’s throat. When the enemy chases me, threatens me and tries to assassinate me, it makes me feel that I am walking, thanks be to God, on the right path.

People who want the liberation of their land, self-determination, independence and freedom from occupation must be patient. They have no choice other than sacrifice and resistance. Our people are noble and have practiced this for dozens of years and will continue to do so.

Military force is an option that our people resort to because nothing else works. Israel’s conduct and the collusion of the international community, whether through silence or indifference or actual embroilment, vindicate armed resistance. We would love to see this conflict resolved peacefully. If occupation were to come to an end and our people enabled to exercise self-determination in their homeland, there would then be no need for any use of force.

Khaled Meshal, Damascus-based leader of Hamas

Part: 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8 – 9 – 10

Right-click to download the full audio version of "A Brief History of Revolution"