1. Hamas Is an Internationally Recognized Terror Organization. ... 2. Hamas Was One of the First Two Organized Islamist Terror Groups. ... 3. Hamas’ Biggest State Sponsor Over the Years has Been Iran. ... 4. To Get Rid of Fatah in Gaza, Hamas Tossed Handcuffed Prisoners Out of Buildings. ... 5. Hamas Continues to Be Committed to Destroying Israel. ... 6. Hamas Mastered the Art of Suicide Bombers a Decade Before 9/11. ... 7. Hamas Strangles Palestinians Suspected of Working with Israel. ... 8. Hamas has Launched the Vast Majority of Rockets at Israeli Civilians in the South. ... 9. Hamas is Legally in Very Hot Water. ... 10. Hamas Kidnapped Gilad Shalit and Just Said They Want to Do It Again.
The picture at the top is what was left of Hamas leader Sheikh Ahmad Yassin back in 2004 when Israel disposed of him properly. Too bad we have not gotten rid of the rest of the Hamas 'leadership.'
Israel Radio reported on Thursday afternoon during the 5:00 hour that for the first time since they went to war with each other four years ago, Hamas will be holding a rally in Ramallah on Friday. The rally will be complete with Hamas flags and pictures of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, which have not been displayed in Ramallah since Hamas took over Gaza in 2007.
This ought to give an idea of how the rally might appear. This is a mass rally welcoming Hamas terrorists back to Gaza two weeks ago. The terrorists are the ones on the horses.
Double standard: Sheikh Ahmad Yassin v. Osama Bin Laden
Please don't tell me that the World doesn't have a double standard - and that's not to say that I don't believe Bin Laden deserved to die. He richly deserved it. I'm just looking for the killing of Hamas leader Sheikh Ahmad Yassin to be treated the same way (Hat Tip: Abraham S).
On March 22, 2004, shortly after morning prayers, an IAF helicopter came out of nowhere and eviscerated Hamas terror leader Ahmad Yassin. Unlike the death of Osama Bin Laden, to which most of the world has reacted favorably, the World was furious with Israel over Yassin's death. Why? Manfred Gerstenfeld tries to explain.
On Monday, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon told reporters that "the death of Osama bin Laden, announced by President (Barack) Obama last night, is a watershed moment in our common global fight against terrorism." Yet after the killing of Sheikh Yassin, then-UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said "I do condemn the targeted assassination of Sheikh Yassin and the others who died with him. Such actions are not only contrary to international law, but they do not do anything to help the search for a peaceful solution.”
The now-defunct UN Commission on Human Rights condemned “the tragic death of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin in contravention of the Hague Convention IV of 1907.” At the Security Council, the US had to use its veto power to prevent condemnation of Israel.
After the bin Laden killing, the leaders of the European Council and European Commission stated that his death made the world a safer place and showed that terrorist attacks do not remain unpunished. Following the Yassin killing, then-EU Foreign Policy Chief Javier Solana said, "This type of action does not contribute at all to create the conditions of peace. This is very, very bad news for the peace process. The policy of the European Union has been consistently condemnation of extra-judicial killing."
British Prime Minister David Cameron congratulated President Obama on the success of the bin Laden assassination. Cameron considered it a massive step forward in the fight against extremist terrorism. Former Prime Minister Tony Blair also welcomed bin Laden’s demise.
However, the killing of Sheikh Yassin was called by the then-British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw “unacceptable” and “unjustified.” The official spokesman of then-Prime Minister Blair condemned the “unlawful attack“ and observed: "We have repeatedly made clear our opposition to Israel's use of targeted killings and assassinations.”
So what's the difference? Yassin murdered Jews, Bin Laden murdered Americans. Yassin was killed by Jews, Bin Laden was killed by Americans.
It's time to show the world that Yassin and Bin Laden (and other terrorists) really are the same and what the world is applying is a double standard.
The sheikh of Al-Azhar, Dr. Muhammad Al-Tayeb, said that intense efforts are being made to arrange the release of Sheikh 'Omar 'Abd Al-Rahman, known as the Blind Sheikh, a member of the Al-Jama'a Al-Islamiyya organization who has been imprisoned in the US since 1996 for involvement in the 1993 bombing at the World Trade Center. Al-Tayeb said that the coming days will see a breakthrough in this matter. Tomorrow (April 21) a demonstration is to be held in front of the US embassy in Cairo in demand for the sheikh's release.
I'm just waiting for Obama to tell us that he's letting al-Rahman go because how much harm could a blind old man be? (Can you say Ahmad Yassin)?
I am an Orthodox Jew - some would even call me 'ultra-Orthodox.' Born in Boston, I was a corporate and securities attorney in New York City for seven years before making aliya to Israel in 1991 (I don't look it but I really am that old :-). I have been happily married to the same woman for thirty-five years, and we have eight children (bli ayin hara) ranging in age from 13 to 33 years and nine grandchildren. Four of our children are married! Before I started blogging I was a heavy contributor on a number of email lists and ran an email list called the Matzav from 2000-2004. You can contact me at: IsraelMatzav at gmail dot com
