Thousands of Palestinians Mourn and Chant for Revenge

[BeyondGeography]

By JAMES BENNET
NEW YORK TIMES
Published: March 22, 2004

AZA, March 22 — Sheik Ahmed Yassin, the spiritual leader and founder of the militant Palestinian group Hamas, was killed early Monday by an Israeli missile that struck him as he left a mosque in Gaza City, his family and Hamas officials said. They said at least two bodyguards had been killed with him.

Sheik Yassin, a symbol to Palestinians of resistance to Israel and to Israelis of Palestinian terrorism, was by far the most significant Palestinian militant killed by Israel in more than three years of conflict.

Black smoke curled over Gaza City as Palestinians began burning tires in the streets and demonstrators chanted for revenge. Mosque loudspeakers blared a message across Gaza of mourning for Sheik Yassin in the name of Hamas and another militant group, Al Aksa Martyrs Brigades.

Thousands of Palestinians took part in a funeral procession for the Sheik and others killed in the attack.

…On Jan. 16, the Israeli deputy defense minister, Zeev Boim, said Sheik Yassin was "marked for death" by Israel.

"He should hide himself deep underground where he won't know the difference between day and night," Mr. Boim said at the time. "And we will find him in the tunnels, and we will eliminate him."

Sheik Yassin responded: "We do not fear death threats. We are seekers of martyrdom."

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/22/international/middleeast/22CND-MIDE.html?hp

[wtmusic]

1. I'm sure they'll see the error of their ways

now that their leader is gone. Saddam is gone, Yassin is gone, and a new era of peace and understanding ensues.

Did Sharon and Bush get a twoferone deal at the lobotomy clinic?

[Cooley Hurd]

2. Hi BeyondGeography

Stories dealing with Israeli/Palestinian issues that don't deal with US policy in the conflict should be posted in the I/P forum only.

Thanks! :hi:

[BeyondGeography]

4. Okie dokie

Thanks.

BG

[Cassandra]

3. Given his statement:

"Sheik Yassin responded: "We do not fear death threats. We are seekers of martyrdom.""

What is the problem? He got what he wanted. Why the calls for revenge?

[forgethell]

5. Pretty much my sentiments

Those that live by the suicide bomb, die with a missile up their ass. But to ask for it verbally is beyond stupid. it is my hope that once the hot-heads are gone, Israel & the Arabs can work out their differences peacefully.

[legin]

6. "it is my hope that once the hot-heads are gone"

I nice idea in theory but in practice what it means is the hot-heads from one side, the other sides hot-heads we have to grovel and bow down to as the duly elected leaders of 'Democratic' israel.

[forgethell]

7. The actual power is on the side

of the Israelis. The Arabs refuse to recognize this fact and deal with it accordingly. Frankly, this makes them hot-heaads. Even the hottest headed israeli would not be killing Arabs if the bombs did not keep going off in their schools and buses and shopping centers.

The Arabs seem to feel that America can make the Israelis curl up in a little ball, and go back to Europe. First, it will not happen, there is too large a number of the electorate that supports Israel. Second, in an attempt to intimidate the Americans, they have resorted to killing Americans, too. Whoops, they selected a time when the Americans had their own hot-head in office. Please, don't mention that al-Queda has no connection with the Palestinians, yada, yada, yada. According to all Arabs that I have listened to, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the 'reason' they hate us. But even if it is not so, the connection has been made in the American psyche, and you see the result in Iraq and Afghanistan. So do the Palestinian Arabs lie low for a while until a more accomadating administration comes along that will put pressure on the Israelis?? They do not!! With President Kerry (knock on wood) they might have a chance to make progress. so they should lie low a few months, hide out of missile range, and wait. If * is re-elected, the US might finally do as the Arabs have asked and impose a settlement. But the Arabs won't like the terms is my guess.