As I posted yesterday, today is Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day), one of the most somber days in the calendar of world Jewry.
So on one level, being greeted by the news of Osama bin Laden’s demise this morning may have elicited a reaction from me not in keeping with the day.
On the other hand, his killing represents the death of one of the modern day Hitlers, so the announcement of his death on this of all days is fitting.
Updates (Israel time; latest at top)
10:16PM: An interesting quote from an Israeli politician:
“I am Israel’s sharpest critic of Obama, and I don’t want him to be in power, but I could tolerate Obama as long as he targets people like Osama. Obama in the past gave breathing space and support to the terrorists due to his naivete, but if he returns America to [former president George W] Bush’s policies of fighting terror, I have no problem with him.”
These words were spoken by Deputy Negev and Galilee Development Minister Ayoub Kara – who happens to be Druze.
10:15PM: Bin Laden may have used his wife as a human shield.
5:50PM: Further to my 1:20PM update, here are some reactions to Israel’s targeted killed of Hamashole Sheikh Ahmed Yassin in 2004.
The White House said Monday it was “deeply troubled” by Israel’s assassination of Yassin.
“We are deeply troubled by this morning’s actions in Gaza,” White House Scott McClellan said.
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The European Union and other countries condemned Israel’s killing of Yassin as a violation of international law that has further “inflamed” tensions in the Middle East.
5:40PM: Heh (via Benji).
5:35PM: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton:
3:45PM: Jim reminds me I have been neglectful. So here he is:
2:55PM: Oops!
2:22PM: Hamas has condemned the “assassination” of an “Arab holy warrior.” (hat tip: Shy Guy)
1:40PM: Meet the guy who unwittingly live-tweeted the operation against bin Laden.
1:20PM: Blogger David B writes what I was thinking after I heard the news (besides “Yippeee!”)
I hate to rain on anyone’s parade… and make no mistake, the death of Osama Bin Laden is certainly parade-worthy… but I find the international chorus of congratulations being offered to the US over the successful termination of this terrorist leader to be just a tad hypocritical.
After all:
- It was an extra-judicial killing.
- The operation entailed the violation of another country’s sovereignty.
- The attack risks perpetuating the ‘cycle of violence’ (there will certainly be revenge attacks on US targets and targets belonging to most/all of the countries offering congratulations).
- There were almost certainly others killed in the attack. Is there irrefutable proof that they were combatants?
I mention these uncomfortable, inconvenient facts because when Israel hunts down and kills known/proven terrorists, we are soundly condemned for it.
I guess this is just one more lesson in paternalism that we have to swallow from the US; ‘do as I say… not as I do’.
1:18PM: Meanwhile, bin Laden is now swimming with the fishes. Literally.
1:15PM: PA spokesman Ghassan Khatib:
“Getting rid of bin Laden is good for the cause of peace worldwide but what counts is to overcome the discourse and the methods — the violent methods — that were created and encouraged by bin Laden and others in the world.”
And who are these “others in the world” he speaks of, pray tell?
Clue: He needn’t look far.
9:55AM: Did you know that Hitler’s death was also announced on May1st? (1945)
9:20AM: More on how bin Laden was found, which includes this paragraph:
Officials said they will take care with bin Laden’s body.
“We are assuring it is handled in accordance with Islamic practice and tradition,” an official said. “We take this very seriously. This is being handled in an appropriate manner.”
Call me old school, but I think his body should be wrapped in pigskin and dog drool.
