Israel Now Finds Itself More Isolated Than Ever (Opinion)

The Telegraph (UK - Opinion) ^ | 3-23-2004 | Not listed

[blam]

Israel now finds itself more isolated than ever

(Filed: 23/03/2004)

European foreign ministers were quick yesterday to condemn the "extra-judicial killing" of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, the spiritual leader of Hamas, by Israel. Jack Straw was particularly indignant about Israel's failure to abide by international law. A whiff of hypocrisy emanates from such moralising ministers, some of whom have cheerfully countenanced assassination attempts of their own - most recently against the leaders of Iraq, al-Qa'eda and the Taliban. Tony Blair, for one, is well aware that Hamas belongs on the same terrorist continuum as the bombers of Madrid and Manhattan, not to mention those who yesterday wounded 13 British soldiers in Basra.

Yassin's life had been dedicated to the self-immolation of his people. The vile cult of the suicide bomber, though alien to Islamic tradition, has acquired a spurious legitimacy in the Muslim world, and especially among Palestinians - mainly thanks to clerical demagogues such as Yassin. Hamas, the terrorist network he founded, remains implacably opposed to compromise. It regards any Israeli retreat from settlements in Gaza and the West Bank as a sign of decadence and weakness.

To dispel Arab illusions that Israel's consolidation might represent a victory for terrorism, Ariel Sharon's government has targeted leaders of Hamas. Intended to intimidate by striking not only at the young terrorists, but also at the veterans who recruit and control them, the policy culminated in Mr Sharon's decision to kill Yassin, the éminence grise of the intifada.

The global reaction to that decision, however, casts doubt on Mr Sharon's entire policy. To kill Yassin already looks like a serious mistake, less for moral than for strategic reasons. His assassination has divided Israel, including the cabinet, for no compensating gain in security. By granting Yassin the martyrdom he craved, the Israelis have provided a motive for new suicide attacks. More young Palestinians will fall in love with death, and more Israeli civilians will die with them.

Whatever Yassin's death was meant to achieve, its symbolism is disastrous for Israel. Did Mr Sharon and his advisers consider how the spectacle of helicopter gunships rocketing an old man in a wheelchair outside his mosque would appear to the world? Did they intend to turn this merchant of death into a victim - the Palestinian equivalent of Leon Klinghoffer? Despite intensive efforts to improve Israel's image abroad, and despite sympathy for victims of suicide bombings (most recently in Ashdod), the Jewish state now looks more isolated than ever. Like Napoleon's decision to execute the Duc d'Enghien, which transformed his image from that of a liberator into that of a tyrant, Sharon's decision to execute Yassin is worse than a crime: it is a blunder.

[blam]

He needed to be killed, a long time ago.

[Shermy]

Russians knocked off a Chechen leader in Qatar. Where's the world's indignation? Hmmm....

[rhombus]

When hasn't Israel been isolated?

[cynicom]

Can the Brits spell terrorist???? Spiritual leader, in a pigs eye.

[blam]

More Opinion:

It May Have Been Right To Kill Yasin, But It Was Also Stupid.

[Fitzcarraldo]

A blunder is worse than a crime?...scratching head.

[Theophilus]

Whatever Yassin's death was meant to achieve, its symbolism is disastrous for Israel.

The death of this little antichrist couldn't be any more disastrous than his life, besides, he deserved it. Now the Chosen should exploit the target rich environment at his funeral! That would be an achievement!!!

[tet68]

Does the writer really think Hamas hasn't been trying to kill Sharon?

Yassin, another arabic rabies ridden dog, that needed killing before he bit again.

[Esther Ruth]

Zechariah 12:3 --- 12:8

[Sam Cree]

Amazing article isn't it, Blam. These people are suggesting that if Israel doesn't just passively let itself be destroyed, it will be isolated.

Israel has been isolated since day one in 1948. That's why it has no choice but to aggressively defends itself, IMO.

[eeriegeno]

Yassin was directly responsible for over 50 suicide bombings. His extermination was simply 30 years too late......

[Hank Rearden]

The question not considered here is whether the old bastard was actively plotting and planning attacks. Reporting seems to indicate that he was, so therefore he wasn't a "helpless old crippled man".

He was a cockroach who needed squishing. And he literally was.

[Tax Government]

This is war; Yassin desperately deserved what he got. If Europe can't handle it, maybe it should...capitulate to the nearest available conqueror.

[tomahawk]

Those who condemn Israel for dispatching the Demon Sheikh Yassin (may his name be blotted out forever) to Hell should have been his victims.

[Schatze]

If Europe can't handle it, maybe it should...capitulate to the nearest available conqueror.

I think Spain did that last week in its election.

As for Yassin, I'd love to have seen the look on his face after he was dead and came face to face with ... Satan.

[Tax Government]

If known individuals are driving the suicide bombings, then they are legitimate targets.

[jwfiv]

The killing of this 'helpless crippled old man in a wheelchair" is somehow more heinous than the butchering of Jewish babies, and therefore worthy of world outrage?

It was that same old man that orchestrated the butchering of Jewish babies.

I say, let's give the world a little more of the outrage they so revile...I wanna see Rantisi's head on pike, and it's time to send Arafat to Hell.

[bayourod]

I hope that Israel made it clear that they are going to kill Yassin's successor also. Next?

[Robert Teesdale]

Israel will never be isolated so long as the full force and might of the United States of America is behind it as an ally.

And frankly, I couldn't care less what the spineless Spanish, French and German nations think of Israel.

[Schatze]

Here's the part that gets me: The global reaction to that decision, however, casts doubt on Mr Sharon's entire policy.

Global reaction? The UK Telegram does not speak for me. The more dead Islamikazes and their leaders, the better, IMO.