Mosab Hassan Yousef, the son of a founding leader of Hamas, has stirred renewed global debate after declaring that fighting Israel is equivalent to fighting “the most powerful authority in the universe.”

Yousef made the statement during a public appearance in which he was addressing the roots of extremism, terrorism, and the long-running Israeli–Palestinian conflict.

Speaking to an international audience monitored in Uyo, South-South Nigeria, he framed Israel’s survival and military strength not only in political terms, but as part of what he described as a larger moral and spiritual reality.

The outspoken activist and author, who is also known as the “Green Prince,” is the son of Sheikh Hassan Yousef, a senior Hamas figure in the West Bank.

In a dramatic personal transformation, Mosab Hassan Yousef renounced Hamas as a young adult, later cooperating with Israeli security services and eventually seeking asylum in the United States.

Since then, he has become a vocal critic of Hamas, Islamist militancy, and violence carried out in the name of religion.

According to Yousef, his statement was meant to challenge what he views as the false narratives used to recruit young people into militant groups.

He argued that repeated military confrontations with Israel have brought devastation to Palestinians rather than liberation, and that ignoring Israel’s resilience, political, military, and social has led to decades of failed resistance.

Observers note that Yousef often blends political analysis with religious and moral language, a style that resonates strongly with some audiences, while provoking criticism from others.

Supporters say his message reflects insider knowledge of Hamas’ ideology and tactics, while critics accuse him of oversimplifying a complex conflict and dismissing Palestinian grievances.

The remarks come amid continued violence and diplomatic strain in the region, where the Israel–Hamas conflict remains one of the most polarizing issues in global politics.

By invoking a higher “authority,” Yousef’s statement has added a spiritual dimension to an already charged debate, reinforcing his central argument: that repeated armed conflict with Israel has proven costly and futile, and that a new way of thinking is urgently needed.

Whether praised as brutally honest or condemned as inflammatory, Mosab Hassan Yousef’s words once again place him at the center of international attention, highlighting the enduring power of voices that emerge from within the conflict itself.