An attempt by Hamas to improve its image via Twitter appears to have backfired, with critics using the initiative to ridicule the Islamist organization, Business Standard reports.



The English-language #AskHamas initiative was designed to make the movement more responsive to social media users.



"The #AskHamas campaign... will begin Friday and continue for five days," according to a statement posted on the Facebook page of Hamas media official Taher al-Nunu.



"It is aimed to send a message to the European public... which demonstrated its solidarity with the Palestinian cause... that Hamas is not a terrorist movement, but a nationalist liberation movement."

The campaign was timed to coincide with an expected European Union appeal against removing the group from the EU's terror list, Hamas said. A European court ordered the removal of Hamas from the bloc's terror list in December, but the European Union said it would appeal the decision within three months.

Today's session has ended. Tomorrow's session's with Rawhi Mushtha; an ex prisoner who spent 25 years in occupation's jails. #AskHamas

Even before the campaign went live, Twitter users were already posting mocking messages under the #AskHamas hashtag.

"If a tree falls in the woods, and there's no one to hear it fall, is it still Israel's fault," one user asked.

"Zionist propagandists will try to convince you that this is a rocket, not a tweet," Hamas tweeted, apparently anticipating blowback. "Do not fall for that."

The movement has not yet answered any users queries.

#AskHamas Did Tony die in the last scene of "The Sopranos"?