This morning, Israel eliminated one of the most prominent practitioners of international terrorism. The operation was directed against the founder and leader of the Hamas, a group which constitutes a primary element in the fabric of global terrorism.
All terrorism committed in the name of religious extremism is the same, no matter where it may take place - whether it's called 'al-Qaida', 'Hamas', or any other name. The Hamas has developed extensive ties with other terrorist groups. Due to the support it receives from Iran and Syria, the Hamas is able to maintain a complex organizational, financial and operational infrastructure, deployed throughout the world.
The attempt to present Yassin as some kind of 'moderate spiritual leader' is no less ridiculous than describing Bin-Laden as such. Underneath his supposed clerical garb, Ahmed Yassin was an arch-terrorist, a true pioneer in the ruthless murder of innocents. He was the founding leader of the Hamas, and personally responsible for its strategy of wholesale suicide terrorism.
Yassin took advantage of his spiritual influence to indoctrinate his followers with a hate of human life and a zeal to commit hundreds of barbaric murders.
The ruthless attacks he inspired and personally approved include:
The June 1, 2001 suicide bombing of a discotheque near Tel Aviv's Dolphinarium. 21 young people were killed and 120 wounded when a Hamas bomber blew himself up while standing in a large group of teenagers waiting to enter the disco.
The March 27, 2002 suicide bombing of the dining room of the Park Hotel in the coastal city of Netanya. 30 people were killed and 140 injured, in the midst of their Passover holiday 'Seder' dinner.
The June 18, 2002, suicide bombing of a commuter bus in Jerusalem in which 19 people were killed and 74 injured. The bus, which was completely destroyed, was carrying many students on their way to school.
Hundreds more Israeli civilians fell victim to Yassin's cruel hate, while innocently riding on buses, dining in restaurants, shopping in malls, or just walking down the street.
Yassin was a chilling example of a leader who cynically manipulated the lives of his followers in order to further his own power. He distorted lofty religious principles in order to recruit Palestinians, including children and women, to embark upon so-called 'holy Jihad' missions and to kill themselves in order to murder hundreds of Israeli civilians.
The operation against Yassin was not an act of vengeance. It was part of the ongoing Israeli effort to confront terrorism and its sources. The brutal Hamas terrorist campaign is aimed at killing as many Israelis as possible, in the pursuit of the ultimate Hamas goal of bringing about Israel's destruction.
Whoever is involved in the planning, orchestration, execution or leadership of terrorism must understand that Israel will not sit idly by and wait for the next suicide bomber to appear on the streets of Jerusalem or Tel Aviv. The Government of Israel - like any other government - bears a fundamental responsibility to protect the lives of its citizens from the threat of terrorism.
While continuing its counter-terrorist operations, Israel will, at the same time, persevere in its efforts to arrive at a political solution based upon the implementation of the 'Roadmap'. Peace can only be achieved once the Palestinian leadership confronts the terrorists in its midst, and renounces the use of violence as a tool to resolve political disagreements.
Israel has offered the Palestinians hope of achieving their aspirations, and has extended its hand in peace. Yet, it has received only an onslaught of terrorism in return. Today, Israel faces an ever-increasing terrorist threat, and in the face of this threat, Israel will continue to defend itself.