It is wonderful to wake up and hear some wonderful news for a change. As many of you have no doubt already heard, Hamas leader Sheikh “Saruman” Yassin has been killed by the IAF. Yassin had been on our hitlist for quite a while (we narrowly missed him in September), since as the spiritual leader and founder of Hamas, he was responsible for dozens of terror attacks. Here is a small reminder of what Hamas stand for.
“Israel will exist and will continue to exist until Islam will obliterate it, just as it obliterated others before it” (Preamble)“The Day of Judgement will not come about until Moslems fight Jews and kill them. Then, the Jews will hide behind rocks and trees, and the rocks and the trees will cry out: “O Moslem, there is a Jew hiding behind me, come and kill him” (Article 7)“The Islamic Resistance Movement believes that the land of Palestine is an Islamic Waqf consecrated for future Moslem generations until Judgement Day. It, or any part of it, should not be squandered: it, or any part of it, should not be given up. ” (Article 11)“There is no solution for the Palestinian question except through Jihad. Initiatives, proposals and international conferences are all a waste of time and vain endeavors.” (Article 13)“The Jews] took control of the world media … With their money they stirred revolutions in various parts of the globe … They stood behind the French Revolution, [and] the Communist Revolution.” (Article 22)“They stood behind World War I, … they were behind World War 2, through which they made huge financial gains.” (Article 22)“After Palestine, the Zionists aspire to expand from the Nile to the Euphrates. When they will have digested the region they overtook, they will aspire to further expansion, and so on. Their plan is embodied in the “Protocols of the Elders of Zion”, and their present conduct is the best proof of what we are saying.”(Article 32)
It also bears reminding that Yassin also supported terrorism against other countries, including the United States. Despite this, PA Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia stated that Yassin was “known for his moderation.” In announcing Yassin’s death, Hamas stated that “Sharon has opened the gates of hell.” I was under the impression that the gates of hell were opened when Yassin died. After all, they have been expecting him there for a while.
Mood in Israel: We are in high spirits. Driving in to work and listening to the news on the radio, I could detect even a happy tone to the newsreader’s voice. In fact, his death was the only news reported on Galgalaz at 7am. That says alot, considering how much is going on here. On a personal level, I cannot recall being ecstatic about the death of a person before. I do realize that Hamas are going to try harder than ever to kill as many people as possible. They have already threatened to “send death to every house, every city, every street in Israel.” While these are ominous words, this is what Hamas has been promising for a while. His death may increase their determination, but I have faith that our defense forces are expecting a reaction and are well prepared. Besides, when the rats come out from their hiding places, it makes the job easier for the cat. This is a great day for the war on terror. Let’s hope there are many more like it.
Update 9:00AM: Speaking to my colleagues here at work, the mood is mixed – extreme elation at his death, but at the same time, some trepidation at the thought of the consequences.
Update 9:15AM: Hamas are also blaming the US for Yassin’s death.
Update 11:10AM: Afatrat has called Yassin a “hero”, and declared a three-day mourning period. I hope your’e next, you SOB.
Update 11:30AM: British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has condemned Israel.
Mr Straw said while Israel had a right to defend itself against terrorism, it could not use means outside international law. “We therefore condemn it. It’s unacceptable, it’s unjustified, and it’s very unlikely to achieve its objective,” he said.
And I suppose if British troops killed bin Laden, they would also deserve condemnation? You know what, Mr Straw? I condemn your condemnation. It is unacceptable, unjustified and very unlikely to achieve its objective.
Update 11:50AM: European countries are predictably joining in the chorus of condemnation. This is one of the more disgusting quotes, courtesy of Polish Foreign Minister Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz:
You mean we should have mercy on this murderer because he was only able to plan the murder of hundreds of innocent people from the confines of his wheelchair? It doesn’t seem like Madrid taught Europe anything.“I understand that Israel defends its own country. However the picture of a wheelchair-bound person who was killed with a rocket is probably not the best way of promoting Israeli security”
