Hamas Actors Bring Yassin Death Back to Angry Gaza

Reuters ^ | Mar 25, 2004 | Nidal al-Mughrabi

[ChuckShick]

Hamas Actors Bring Yassin Death Back to Angry Gaza

Thu Mar 25, 2004 10:51 AM ET

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=stageNews&storyID=4660606&section=news

GAZA (Reuters) - Hamas militants took the roles of their Israeli arch-foes in a play to enact the last moments of their slain leader before an audience seized by fury and grief.

Part homage to Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, the stage performance at a Gaza Strip refugee camp also served to whip up more anger at the Jewish state for killing the wheelchair-bound Palestinian cleric in a missile strike Monday.

"I watched it as if it was real," said 29 year-old Odah Abdel-Rahman. "Something inside me wanted to explode. I felt the heat. Tears filled my eyes."

For the Israelis, Yassin played a big role in Hamas suicide attacks that have killed hundreds of people during more than three years of violence.

For many Palestinians, the spiritual leader of the group sworn to destroy Israel was a hero of resistance whose death should now be avenged.

Held on a makeshift stage, the unusual theater piece began by showing Israeli ministers and security chiefs deliberating how to react to a bombing that killed 10 Israelis on March 14.

"How do they dare strike us? We are God's chosen people!" a Hamas actor dressed in an Israeli army-style uniform cried.

LAUGHTER AND PAIN

A diminutive Hamas man playing Israel's internal security chief piped up: "We have to finish off terrorism. We have to kill the biggest terrorist Ahmed Yassin."

He rang Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to seek final approval for the hit.

"Allahu Akbar (God is Greatest)," angry spectators chanted.

Laughter resumed when the security chief, on the phone with Sharon, said: "If you do not agree, I will assassinate you."

A hush descended as "Yassin" was hoisted onto the stage in his wheelchair, wearing traditional Islamic headdress and accompanied by three bodyguards with fake rifles.

A tape recorder provided the clatter of an Israeli helicopter gunship, jolting Yassin's bodyguards into action.

Then a large firecracker landed with a flash and a bang.

"Yassin" fell off his wheelchair dead, followed by his aides.

continued...

[ChuckShick]

I always love a play with a happy ending.

[jocon307]

"Hamas militants took the roles of their Israeli arch-foes in a play to enact the last moments of their slain leader before an audience seized by fury and grief."

Hey, years ago my brothers and I played "assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., when we were stranded in New Jersey with only a balcony to amuse us. But then again, we were little children, what's these people excuses?

[SouthernFreebird]

Is this their version of "The Passion?"

[NYC GOP Chick]

I think they should act it out with giant puppets.

Or maybe Mummenschanz...
  

[Agnes Heep]

I always love a play with a happy ending.

This is defintely not a tragedy.

[ChuckShick]

I'm waiting for the musical version starring Tim Robbins as Yassin.

[angkor]

The remainder of the article:

"Yassin" fell off his wheelchair dead, followed by his aides.

Spectators were stunned, then took up a rendition of the familiar militant chant: "We will sacrifice our souls and blood for you, oh Sheikh."

In the audience, Tawfiq Abdallah said: "I didn't know it was done in that brutal way. His killers must pay. They must not be allowed to escape for their deeds."

"Rescue workers" appeared and removed the bodies from the stage except for "Yassin," who was passed down to the shoulders of the audience, as if being carried to his funeral and burial.

"Now I would love to see a scene where they kill Sharon. That scene I would call justice in action," said Abdel-Rahman.

[b4its2late]

Imagine if a few more missles hit while they were play acting...

[WestTexasWend]

LOL...they've been watching too much "West Wing".

[ChuckShick]

When does Arafat get in the wheelchair?

[Diogenesis]

[WestTexasWend]

LOL ...and when do they get carried away and kill the guy playing the Israeli?

[samtheman]

They ought to take this show on the road. It will be a big hit in Europe, Rutgers and Berkeley.

[CzarNicky]

Where are the liberals condemning "the Passion of the Yassin"?