March 23, 2004
'Spiritual' leader , my ass
The talking heads are already warning that Hamas will now step up attacks on Israel. You mean after all these homocide bombings Hamas has carried out, now we learn that they've been taking it "light" on us? The hundreds of rocket and mortar attacks on Israeli cities in Gaza and the south of the country; they could have been meaner? Tell that to the almost 1,500 dead Israelis.
And I thought we were making progress on the 'T'-word.
Or maybe we aren't.
In any case, it's been going on for what seems like forever.
Am I repeating myself?
And it's all America's fault, didn't ya know. Even Egypt's been embarrassed.
"This is an embarrassment to Egypt," Dia'a Rashwan, an expert on radical Islam, told the Israeli daily Haaretz. "Egypt was directly involved in bringing Hamas and (Palestinian Islamic) Jihad closer to the Palestinian Authority and bringing about a cease-fire. Targeting Yassin is a direct blow to these efforts."
Oh, no, we wouldn't want to embarrass or humiliate anyone, would we.
And how's this for complete denial of Yassin's role as a Hamas leader. Emphasis is mine.
For Israel, the Sheikh may have seemed to a major part of the problem. But he was also potentially a significant part of the solution. By killing Hamas’ spiritual head, the Israelis have struck down someone they might one day have been able to talk to. Their missiles have killed a leader who enjoyed massive respect, who could have called a halt to militant violence, and would have been listened to had he done so.
Delusional!
Posted by Valerie at March 23, 2004 01:32 PMthe Israelis have struck down someone they might one day have been able to talk to. Their missiles have killed a leader who enjoyed massive respect, who could have called a halt to militant violence, and would have been listened to had he done so.
Hhmmm, yes. One day, yes. Could halt, yes. Been listened to, yes again. Had he done so, ah, yes.
A few problems: No prospects of the one day. Could, didn't. Had done, didn't.
The rest of the Arab News editorial makes interesting reading.
Choice quotes:
The murder of Hamas spiritual leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin by Israel was an act of terrorism...
Sheikh Yassin’s murder will not diminish suicide killings, it will increase them.
We demand action by Washington to rein in the Israeli murderers, to stop Israeli terror.
[Emphases added.]
You get the picture. Hamas, Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, and Islamic Jihad commit suicide killings. Israel commits murders and acts of terror.
A word to our friends at the Arab News -- and, for that matter, at Hamas, al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, Islamic Jihad, Fatah, Tanzim, Force 17, Hezbollah, PLO, PLF, PNA (PA), and al Qaeda -- in the fight you've picked with the world it appears you do not enjoy Allah's support or favor. Why is that?
Why does Allah not favor your claims, reward your methods, and remedy your setbacks and complaints? Why has Allah not deemed your cause worthy of nothing better than French support?
Your answers to the above are keenly awaited.
DGB
Posted by: Damian Bennett at March 23, 2004 03:01 PMThanks for these links. They were all GREAT.
I read a good name in Washington Times this morning, one that I had not heard before.
"Hamas-cide" bombers.
I saw a hopeful sign on Fox news. A young Palestinian with a bomb vest was spotted and isolated crossing over from the West bank. The guy must have been all of 15 years old. His eyes weren't Blazing with hatred for Jews. Nope he looked afraid and releived that his life would continue for another day. The Israeli's sent him a scissors and he cut himself free of the bomb.
I hope they took him into custody because in Palestine he would be viewed as a colaborator. Thats a death sentence in the West Bank.
This young man has more sense then I have ever seen from any other Palestinian to date. link
And the boys mother was apparently shocked. Or is that Palestinian media manipulation again...
She said her son had the mentality of a 12-year old...and to have been shocked by the idea of using children in this way.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=514&e=5&u=/ap/20040324/ap_on_re_mi_ea/palestinians_young_bomber_11
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/mideast_boy_dc
Funny how I don't hear much condamnation of the Palestinian terrorists over this blatant use of children in their 'noble' cause...?
Can you imagine the Jew-hating commentary in the press if it had been a Jewish boy sent into Palestine in this way? The whole Arab street would have protested most vociferously.
Posted by: Valerie at March 25, 2004 08:30 AMYeah, Valerie, I love the way the stories do not even call this kid a terrorist. Some in the press have even tried to plant a seed of doubt, saying that he may have only been transporting the bomb for some one else to use. You see, that way they can absolve themselves of not criticizing the Palestine terrorists for using children. Oh my, I’m sorry, did I use the T word? Of course, I meant to say “freedom fighters”.
Posted by: andy at March 25, 2004 02:39 PM
