EU warns Israel against targeted killings

[JohnLocke]

EU warns Israel against targeted killings
Associated Press – Friday, January 16, 2003
Published in The Jerusalem Post

The European Union on Friday called on Israel not to resume targeted killings after a top Israeli official warned that Hamas founder Ahmed Yassin is "marked for death."
"The European Union has spoken on several occasions against the so-called extra-judicial killings of suspected terrorists," EU spokesman Diego Ojeda said.
"Proceeding in such a manner against a leading figure of a Palestinian terrorist organization would be counterproductive to efforts to achieve peace in the Middle East as the European Union has expressed many times before."
In Washington, US State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said Israel has a right to defend itself but should also consider the consequences of its actions. He emphasized that the United States opposes targeted killings.
Israeli security officials on Friday said that targeted killings of senior Hamas members would likely resume after a bombing Wednesday that killed four Israeli border guards at the Erez crossing in the Gaza Strip.
Israeli Deputy Defense Minister Ze'ev Boim initially named Yassin as a target – the first time an Israeli official has been so specific. He later said high-level Defense Ministry discussions on a response to the bombing did not include a decision to kill the Hamas founder.
Earlier this year, Israel unleashed several air strikes against leading Hamas figures, killing one, Ismail Abu Shannon, but missing three others, including Yassin who escaped the bombing of a Gaza City building in September with minor injuries.
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Read the rest here.
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Well, gee. I can see how killing a terrorist leader would inhibit the peace process. :crazy:
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On Edit: Fixed links, added bold.

[Muddleoftheroad]

1. I love the EU

I don't see them moving against the terrorist bastards and pushing for THEM to stop targeted killing.

We've seen the respect Europe has given the lives of Jews in the past. It seems there is still some of that attitude.

[Darranar]

2. I agree with the EU...

Killing easily-replaceable terrorist leaders (often while harming innocent civilians in the process) simply incites more violence. Also, all too often the Israelis miss - and still end up harming innocent people.

[Muddleoftheroad]

3. Of course you do

Why not just let the EU paint targets on clothing and market it in Israel?

And, given what has been reported, I would think smart Palestinians would be nowhere near this murderer.

[JohnLocke]

4. Agreed.

[Darranar]

5. We agree...

that Palestinians should do what they can to avoid being near terrorists or aiding them, and we also agree that terrorists should not be hiding within civilian populations in the first place. You do not have to convince me of the criminality of terrorists or of the foolish fanaticism of many Palestinians.

But pointing the finger at the other guy does not suddenly make Israeli assasinations any better.

[sushi]

6. How can they not

be near him. There must always be at least a few people with him because he is a cripple and can't do anything by himself. I think he's looking forward to becoming a martyr.

[Muddleoftheroad]

7. Cripple

He has no inherent right to expect people to die with him. They are CHOOSING to do so. I hope THEY are looking forward to being martyrs as well.

If mobsters had hung out with Pretty Boy Floyd and got shot at the same time, would anyone feel any regret for them?

[JohnLocke]

8. kick