LIFE SUCKS as a terrorist. Terrorists somehow get pleasure from killing hundreds of innocent people and then once you die, people around the world mourn your death. The recent views stemming from pro-Palestinian opinion columns and international institutions involving the assassination of Hamas founder Sheik Ahmed Yassin is both appalling and hypocritical. People, especially Americans, cannot possibly criticize Israel's military strategy when President Bush has stated that he wants to capture Osama bin Laden dead or alive. Hamas is a more religiously-based organization than al Qaeda, but it is still comprised of brutal terrorists.
Spirituality and Koran references do not vindicate terrorist activities. The leaders of Hamas have repeatedly planned attacks against innocent Israeli citizens. The group is responsible for hundreds of deaths, including Americans.
The media has used the words "spiritual leader" and "religious organization" to describe the recent assassination, as demonstrated in CNN.com's March 24 article, "Hamas names interim leader in Gaza."
Many Americans are beginning to move away from supporting Israel. Although the United States was the only veto power in the United Nations who voted against a condemnation of the recent assassination, the country's support has diminished. World opinion is turning as support diminishes for Sharon's policies to employ targeted attacks against Palestine.
There is no difference between Yassin and Saddam Hussein -- both committed violent acts against innocent persons. Therefore, Israel's tactics in Palestine are similar to the United States' more arrogant occupation of Iraq. If Saddam Hussein had been assassinated in his capture, international media would not have pointed out Hussein's religious nature or dedication as a leader. He is a horrible man, no different from Yassin.Any country that helped out in Iraq has no room to criticize Israeli actions in Palestine. The situation is the same.
Bin Laden's planned attacks on Sept. 11 raised unprecedented anger and revenge in American communities. These emotions are normal reactions to such a horrific event. We are a hypocritical nation if we do not recognize that Israelis face these angers on almost a daily basis. Going after the leader of Hamas who continues to disrupt Middle East peace negotiations is completely justified. There is a difference between targeting terrorists and targeting innocent bystanders. This is why America continues to support Israel.
If bin Laden was killed, would media outlets still call this an assassination? American media might instead hail this as a great military achievement or the end of terrorism. Yet, when Israel engages in the same practices, some Americans claim Israel is fostering more terrorism.
The argument that more terrorism will result from the Yassin assassination is not valid. Hamas has engaged in terrorist activities for years in Israel, and they are not stopping. Taking out "spiritual leaders" is a step in the right direction for destroying a terrorist organization. If Israel quietly follows peace plans and does not address terrorists, attacks will continue and innocent people murdered.
Granted, this environment of killing is not desirable. Ideally, organizations like Hamas will cease suicide bombings and peace can be achieved in the Middle East. Yet Hamas is not going to stop terrorizing Israelis. This leaves Israel with no other choice but to fight a war with Hamas. These targeted attacks are part of this war. Since Hamas is not a sovereign country, this war does not fit normal international definitions of battle. However, this is the type of conflict in the new age of terrorism. Targeted attacks counter suicide bombings.
Once again, the difference between a peaceful nation and a terrorist organization is the targeting of murderers or of innocent citizens. Americans are experts at justifying conflicts with this notion and should not criticize Israel for engaging in the same military tactics. Terrorism against any country should not be vindicated. People should focus on the killing of a prominent terrorist leader and the implications for Hamas and Middle East safety -- not referring to Yassin's religious and spiritual intentions. Israel does not harbor terrorists or engage in terrorist activities. They are actively eliminating terrorists from the Middle East, and this is an admirable and justifiable mission.
Michael Behr's column appears Wednesdays in The Cavalier Daily. He can be reached at mbehr@cavalierdaily.com.
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