Focus: Who in Hamas will replace Ahmed Yassin?

[JohnLocke]

Focus: Who in Hamas will replace Ahmed Yassin?
By Arnon Regular -- Haaretz
Monday, March 22, 2004
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"I tried to serve you loyally while we were in prison together. On a day like this, when you are with the shaheeds and prophets, we vow to continue your way."
With these words, Abdel Aziz Rantisi eulogized Sheikh Ahmed Yassin on Monday, claiming his place as first among equals in the new leadership of the Islamic movement in Gaza, at the height of the funeral procession for the sheikh at the Omari Mosque in Gaza City.
Yassin was the founder, leader, spiritual authority and strategic planner both politically and militarily for Hamas, and was known as the "sheikh of two intifadas" to all the activists from the lowest ranks to the highest.
(....)
Among those who will be in the new collective leadership are Mahmoud a-Zahar, who survived an assassination attempt last year and has kept a low profile since; Ismail Haniya, Yassin's bureau chief in recent years and another of the pragmatists who have been in close contact with the Palestinian Authority; Rantisi, who leads the hardline in the organization, is opposed to any cease-fire deal with the PA and rejects proposals by pragmatists to turn the movement into an international political organization, preferring to emphasize its military activities.
Rantisi, who has survived an Israeli assassination attempt, is the closest of the current leadership to the military wing, and his position has been greatly strengthened over the past few months, particularly without Abu Shnab as a counterweight. Indeed, as of now, there is no real counterweight to Rantisi.
During Yassin's life, the various nuances in the movement were irrelevant, since he set the tone. But observers note that in recent months, Yassin was heavily influenced by public opinion, and tended toward extremism as the demand for it in the street rose. Now even more extremist ideologues will dictate the political approach of the organization in Gaza.
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Read the rest here.

[Manwithchildeyes]

1. Let's hope none. All terror groups need to be destroyed

Either from within their ranks or from the rule of law. Hamas can not be allow to continue in their mode of targeting and murdering innocents.

[Gimel]

2. Looks like Rantissi

Rantissi will probably rise to be the Main Man in Hamas. I despise his entity. Not just for murdering Israelis either, but for grooming his Palestinian youth to become martyrs. He is a pediatrician by profession, aside from being the main Hamas spokesman for several years.

[Muddleoftheroad]

3. Hopefully all of Hamas will follow exactly in his path

That final path. Then perhaps we can move ahead toward peace.