Hamas yassin killed

[babbo]

!!!

[igloo]

Originally posted by babbo

!!!

Excellent!

[mr mahs]

It's about time!

[siceone]

does anyone wanna say this ia a bad thing?

God Bless Isreal

[djxeno]

Originally posted by siceone

does anyone wanna say this ia a bad thing?

God Bless Isreal

they need it

[siceone]

Of course you would think this was a bad thing

[jamiroguy1]

Not a healthy move for Israel.

[djxeno]

Originally posted by siceone

Of course you would think this was a bad thing

any persons death is a bad thing, but i would have to agree with jamiroguy, bad move for israel.

[kramadas]

Time will tell if this was a good move for Israel...but my feeling is that people who only look at whats right in front of them fail to see the cliff before its too late.

---------------------------------------------------------

Leaders condemn Yassin killing

CNN) -- World reaction to Israel's killing of Hamas movement leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin has been swift and blunt, with many condemning the action as illegal and a blow to efforts to fight terrorism.

The response comes as thousands of Palestinians jammed the streets of Gaza City for the funeral procession for Yassin, the Hamas founder and spiritual leader.

Yassin was killed early Monday in an Israeli missile strike. Seven other people were killed in the attack (Full story)

Ahmed Qorei, Palestinian Prime Minister, in Ramallah

"The cabinet met today with (Palestinian Authority) President (Yasser) Arafat ... and the issue that dominated all the discussion was about the assassination of a prominent leader of the Palestinians, Yassin, and the way that he was assassinated by the Israeli Apache helicopters and while he was in the early morning praying without even respect to any of the villagers and to the beliefs of the Palestinian people. This was condemned strongly in the meeting, and it's been decided that we will go to the Security Council, the United Nations."

Ariel Sharon, Israeli Prime Minister, in Jerusalem

"The state of Israel this morning hit the first and foremost of the Palestinian murderers. The ideological essence of this man was one -- the murder and killing of Jews wherever they are and the destruction of the state of Israel. I imagine you are all familiar with the bloody and hateful past of this arch -murderer that is as big as any of Israel's leading enemies.

"I wish to thank the security forces for the successful operation this morning. I'd like to make clear that the war on terror is not over, and it will continue every day everywhere. This is a tough campaign that all the nations of the free world understand that they need to take part in. It is the natural right of the Jewish nation, as any other life-desiring nation, to pursue those who rise to destroy it."

Nabil Abu Rudeneh, Arafat spokesman and adviser, in Ramallah

"This Israeli policy is against any peace effort. So far, they are ruining every single effort to find or safeguard a political solution.

"There will never be any kind of peace or stability. This crime this early morning in Gaza is a dangerous sign for everybody, and we urge the American administration to interfere immediately to stop this escalation because no one is going to win.

"He (Arafat) is very angry and we, on behalf of the Palestinian people, we urge everybody to understand that the Palestinian people are under heavy escalation from the Israeli government and the Israeli army."

Alon Pinkas, Israeli Consul General to the United States, in Washington

"It was the right thing to do, as crude as that sounds. He's no spiritual leader. You would think you are talking about Mother Teresa or something is a man that embodies terrorism. He was arrested twice, arrested by the Egyptians to begin with, arrested twice. He's masterminded the brutal killings of children, women, way up in the hundreds. He is a force of incitement, a force of hatred towards Israel, towards America, towards the West, toward the Palestinian mainstream for that matter."

Hasan Rahman, Chief Palestinian Representative to the United States, in Ramallah

"It is absolutely ridiculous to allege that the man who cannot see, cannot hear and who is on a wheelchair can constitute a threat to the biggest military power in the Middle East and one of the biggest the world. That's absolute nonsense."

Hosni Mobarak, Egyptian President, in Cairo

"What happened was more brutal than anyone can imagine and it doesn't make sense. This action was not considered, and the result of the actions were also not considered, unfortunately. It is a sorrowful thing. We condemn this aggression because he is one of the political symbols in Gaza. We were putting all our efforts into the peace process. It aborted all the peace process efforts. This will have reactions all over the Middle East, not just there. They did not consider any reactions when they did this dangerous procedure."

Jack Straw, British Foreign Secretary, in Brussels

"We understand Israel's paramount needs to defend itself, but we also say for Israel to carry the full support of the international community it needs to do so within the boundaries set by international law. It's been the long-standing position of the British government that such targeted killings, assassinations, are out with international law.

"It is very difficult for all countries fighting terrorism to take a measured response in the face of the kind of outrageous terrorism which Israel has suffered. All of us understand that, but a measure of restraint is required and I don't believe Israel will benefit from the fact that this morning an 80-year-old in a wheel chair has been a target of their assassinations."

Javier Solana, EU foreign policy chief, in Brussels

"The position of the European Union has been consistently a condemnation of ... killings. In this particular case, I think a condemnation ought to be stronger. These types of actions do not contribute at all to create the conditions of peace, the conditions of dialogue, which are necessary at this moment."

Joschka Fischer, German Foreign Minister, in Berlin

"We are very concerned about the developments. We will observe them very acutely. I am now on the way to Brussels. I am sure that the EU foreign ministers will discuss the current situation. Throughout the day we will also discuss it with our transatlantic-Atlantic partners.

"This is not about fearing something. The situation is as such that all must be done to prevent a further escalation. All sides are called upon to do their part in this effort. At the same time, we are doing everything to pursue a further initiative for the Middle East. However, as said, the current status necessitates a thorough analysis."

Dominique de Villepin, French Foreign Minister, in Brussels

"France condemns the actions perpetrated against Sheikh Yassin. At a time when it is important to mobilize for the relaunch of the peace process, such acts can only fuel the cycle of violence."

Jan Petersen, Norwegian Foreign Minister, in Berlin

"It is quite clear that Hamas is a terrorist organization. We certainly condemn the terrorists acts. But in my opinion this, of course, not justify the extra-judicial killing. The killing this morning is something which we condemn."

Asma Khader, Jordanian government spokesman, in Amman

"We condemn this crime and we find a real obstacle against all political will and efforts to have a sustainable, comprehensive and just peace for all the people of the region."

Hanan Ashwari, Palestinian legislator, in Ramallah

"There will be, I'm afraid, a very tragic recycle of violence. What more cowardly act than assassinating through the use of missile a helpless man in a wheelchair? What we needed was to introduce a whole new language, a whole new discourse. I'm afraid it will spiral out of control."

Shaul Mofaz, Israeli Defense Minister, in Jerusalem

"Ahmed Yassin was a terrorist leader, the Palestinian Bin Laden. His hands were covered in the blood of Israelis, children, women and toddlers. He sent the murderers to carry out the biggest attacks against Israel. I think that the operation carried out this morning is part of an overall policy of the state of Israel in its fight against Hamas and it will continue."

Mark Sofer, Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman, in Jerusalem

"The world is now rid of one of its most heinous butchers. Now the serious Palestinian interlocutors, who really should have taken the bull by the horns and arrested this man and his cohorts a long time ago, have no choice but to sit down with us. They've taken every step in the books except that."

[Drunk]

I'm no fan of Hamas, but this will only result in an escalation of violence. Sharon has a big bullseye on his head now. Good article from the Jerusalem Post on the aftermath of this.

Analysis: Yassin's demise could generate attacks abroad

By MARGOT DUDKEVITCH

Those who thought that hitting Sheikh Ahmed Yassin will serve as a deterrence are mistaken, Dr. Reuven Paz, research fellow of the National Policy Institute for Counter Terrorism of the Interdisciplinary Institute of Herzliya, told the Jerusalem Post.

As officials mulled over repercussions and the effect Yassin's demise would have on the Hamas movement, Maj Gen. (Res.) Amos Gilad, who heads Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz's political bureau, declared that PA chairman Yasser Arafat was no less dangerous, describing him as a most destructive force.

According to Gilad, Arafat pretends to want peace whereas Yassin was honest in his statements. "Arafat dreams of a greater Palestine that covers both Israel and Jordan," Gilad said, "and his primary tool of action is terror. If he really wanted peace, he could have had it in 2000."

Gilad's statements led to an immediate boosting of security around Arafat who was confined to safe quarters in his Ramallah complex as Palestinian security officials feared he would become the next Israeli target.

Paz, however, warned that Yassin's demise could have severe repercussions not only in Israel, but will cause reactions throughout the entire Moslem world and lead to attacks against Israelis and Jews abroad.

"We are talking about Moslems in Europe and the United States who identify with the Hamas and its policies, and recruit funds on its behalf," he said. "I believe that the same Hamas supporters abroad will also begin to recruit activists to wage attacks against Israeli and Jewish targets abroad, and we could possibly see elements affiliated with Al Qaeda recruiting activists on behalf of the Hamas.

"The Moslem public is already angry due to policies adopted in countries abroad such as the barring of headscarves in France. One thing they are all united in is their hatred for Israel, and this may well escalate," he said.

"Yassin was considered a national symbol, he was far more moderate and did not rule out Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's disengagement plan. Without a doubt, Sharon initiated the targeted killing, and if he believed that by doing so it would weaken the Hamas's control of the Gaza Strip, he is mistaken," said Paz.

"I can't see anything good coming out of it. I believe in the coming weeks, we will witness an escalation of violence, not just suicide bomb attacks, but attacks carried out by loners who aren't affiliated with any movement but seek revenge," he said.

"It is also possible that Yassin's death will lead to a further strengthening of ties between the Fatah's Al Aksa Brigades, Islamic Jihad and Hamas who have launched a number of joint attacks in the past and may well decide to continue," he said.

Yassin the founder of Hamas and its political and religious leader gained strength as PA Yasser Arafat's position weakened, turning him into the national symbolic leader not just of the Hamas but of the entire Palestinian public and among supporters in Arab countries abroad, said Paz adding, "and now the entire Moslem world."

Dr. Boaz Ginor, ICT's executive director at the interdisciplinary institute believes that the strike on Yassin will not affect the movement's capability, which is already severely restricted. "Last September in the botched attempt on his life, one would have expected to have seen a shattering response," he said.

Yassin presided over the movement's charity and social infrastructure and issued instructions and political directives, all separate to the military operations carried out by the Hamas, said Ginor. While sharing Paz's assessment that attempts will be made to launch attacks against Israeli and Jewish targets abroad, Ginor said, "we may see a rise in attempts to launch mega-terror attacks and attempts by cell leaders in Judea, Samaria and the Gaza Strip to launch attacks.

"But I believe we will see a sharp increase in attempts by loners, those who are not sent by anyone but decide to act on their own," he said. "However without a doubt authorities should remain alert and vigilant ,particularly regarding the possibility of attacks abroad," he added.

While Israel will be condemned for its actions, Yassin was not a halachic Islamic leader and not considered one among Arab countries abroad. "He was unable to issue fatwas (religious rulings), and the attitude of many Arab countries towards the Palestinian Israeli conflict is lip talk, no more no less," he said.

According to Gilad, the former Coordinater of Government Activities in the Territories, the attack on Yassin will make remaining Hamas officials more aware that they are targets. Claims that Yassin was the group's spiritual leader are ridiculous, he said adding, "there is no separation between the Hamas spiritual and operational leadership.

The attacks carried out by the movement were carefully planned operations. Reality could have been different, said Gilad, had the Palestinian security forces combated terror. "The Palestinian Authority maintains tactical superiority, all that is lacking is a decision to crackdown on terror," he said.

Paz believes that Yassin's death will not hamper Hamas capability, as he was not of the movement's operational military activities but rather dictated policy and gave instructions. "In the past three and a half years we have wiped out all of the Hamas military leaders, and where are we today, in the same position," he said.

According to Paz, Yassin's demise could mark the end of Ahmed Querie's career as Palestinian prime minister, and he will drop by the wayside, the same as his predecessor Abu Mazen. "While there has not been much of a dialogue between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, there has been some activity in the background. Now Abu Mazen cannot allow himself to enter any dialogue: support for the Hamas will increase greatly and, at the same time, the Palestinian Authority will lose its power.

"I also fear for Mohammed Dahlan's career," Paz continued. "He is someone who is perceived as trying to protect Israel rather then the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip."

Dr. Abdel Aziz Rantissi is the most likely candidate to be chosen as Yassin's successor, said Paz adding that Mahmoud A- Zaher is also an option.. "Yassin was far less extreme in his beliefs than Rantissi, who takes every opportunity to express them.

Yassin founded the movement's social infrastructure, giving charity, medical and financial assistance to the public. I believe we will see a collective leadership taking over until elections," said Paz.

Unlike Paz, Ginor believes that Arafat's position will only strengthen with Yassin's death, who has no real successor. "Yassin was not part of the movement's military operational activities but was an ideological and political leader," Ginor said. "I cannot think of anyone who can replace him as a spiritual leader; he never appointed a deputy," he added.

[tribal]

why are people surprised over this? yassin was marked for death for 2 years now, and barely escaped a missile in 2002. i hope he gets his 72 virgins for all the innocent lives he shattered.

europeans have some nerve. after the madrid massacre, to have this vile double standard against israel. somehow, yassin became a 'spiritual leader', not a terrorist. Europe needs to get a collective back-bone and understand that islamic fundamentalism is the nazi-ism and fascism of this century.

[djxeno]

interesting, but of course the U.S. and Israel rule the world so it doesn't matter what they do.

[djxeno]

Originally posted by tribal

why are people surprised over this? yassin was marked for death for 2 years now, and barely escaped a missile in 2002. i hope he gets his 72 virgins for all the innocent lives he shattered.

assinine and ignorant comment, but what else can i expect from an asshole like you

[igloo]

Originally posted by tribal

why are people surprised over this? yassin was marked for death for 2 years now, and barely escaped a missile in 2002. i hope he gets his 72 virgins for all the innocent lives he shattered.

europeans have some nerve. after the madrid massacre, to have this vile double standard against israel. somehow, yassin became a 'spiritual leader', not a terrorist. Europe needs to get a collective back-bone and understand that islamic fundamentalism is the nazi-ism and fascism of this century.

They will never get it...all the bullshit coming from jamirolost and djxeno reflects the broader appeasement attitude of Europe

[kramadas]

Very interesting article Drunk, and one from a more right-leaning paper.

[igloo]

Originally posted by djxeno

any persons death is a bad thing, but i would have to agree with jamiroguy, bad move for israel.

NO, any persons death is not a bad thing"...this fucking murderous terrorist got what he deserved douche bag....

The only thing that would have been better is if this scumbag was tortured first by every family who had their family die innocently because of this TERRORIST.....

Bad move by Israel...perhaps in the short term only because there will be retaliation, and more innocent Israeli citizens will be targeted indiscriminately by these murderers and pariahs of society (including Palestinian society)....

But what does that tell you about these animals????.....And what should Israel do, let this animal live because of the threat of Hamas??????

He is a terrorist leader...he is responsible for innocent deaths...he got what he deserved....and you fucking appeasers and clueless jerkoffs who say anything to the contrary are disgusting....

[djxeno]

Originally posted by igloo

NO, any persons death is not a bad thing"...this fucking murderous terrorist got what he deserved douche bag....

The only thing that would have been better is if this scumbag was tortured first by every family who had their family die innocently because of this TERRORIST.....

Bad move by Israel...perhaps in the short term only because there will be retaliation, and more innocent Israeli citizens will be targeted indiscriminately by these murderers and pariahs of society (including Palestinian society)....

But what does that tell you about these animals????.....And what should Israel do, let this animal live because of the threat of Hamas??????

He is a terrorist leader...he is responsible for innocent deaths...he got what he deserved....and you fucking appeasers and clueless jerkoffs who say anything to the contrary are disgusting....

Why do you think International Law is put into place?

[tribal]

the media frenzy over the elimination of yassin is astounding. fundamentally nothing has changed. 'analysts' and 'experts' claim that hamas will now kill israelis or try to increase their terror missions, but that was always the status quo

hamas never wanted peace, never wanted a co existence. hamas is directly responsible for breaking any fundamental peace efforts that gained momentum. destroying hamas or at least leveling its financing and infrastructure before leaving gaza is a smart policy for israel.

[tribal]

Originally posted by djxeno

Why do you think International Law is put into place?

do tell me, what does the international law say about blowing up buses full of civilians? also remind me, after each hamas terror strike, why do i not hear anything about 'international law'? why does international law apply only to israel ?

[djxeno]

Originally posted by tribal

the media frenzy over the elimination of yassin is astounding. fundamentally nothing has changed. 'analysts' and 'experts' claim that hamas will now kill israelis or try to increase their terror missions, but that was always the status quo

hamas never wanted peace, never wanted a co existence. hamas is directly responsible for breaking any fundamental peace efforts that gained momentum. destroying hamas or at least leveling its financing and infrastructure before leaving gaza is a smart policy for israel.

i'm sure you want peace with the palestinians :laugh:

[djxeno]

Originally posted by tribal

do tell me, what does the international law say about blowing up buses full of civilians? also remind me, after each hamas terror strike, why do i not hear anything about 'international law'? why does international law apply only to israel ?

didn't your mom ever tell you not to answer questions with questions

[bigpoppanils]

short term.....it will be bad for Israel & the Palestinian people

Long term......it will be good for them. One less roadblack to peace, in my point of view.

However, don't act all shocked/suprised if Israeli gov't officials are assasinated.

[djxeno]

Originally posted by bigpoppanils

However, don't act all shocked/suprised if Israeli gov't officials are assasinated.

hopefully

[djxeno]

Originally posted by bigpoppanils

However, don't act all shocked/suprised if Israeli gov't officials are assasinated.

hopefully

[jamiroguy1]

International law prohibs without exception, the extra-judicial killing of protected persons. Israel's policy of assassination clearly amounts to intentional or wilful killing, which constitutes a grave breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention and is subject to international criminal prosecution.