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A few days ago, the Palestinian militant group Hamas, under pressure from the Palestinian Authority (and other Palestinians), offered to end suicide attacks against Israel in exchange for withdrawal. “Once the occupation and all those measures against our people stop, we are ready to totally study stopping martyrdom operations, in a positive way,” said Hamas spiritual leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin. Israel replied with a F-16-delivered bomb that killed Hamas military leader Salah Shehadeh, along with 14 civilians, nine of them children. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon praised the attack but later expressed “regret” for civilian casualties, comparing them to the US’s bungled raid in Afghanistan last month. If history is any indication, once Palestinians finish picking up the pieces (of victims), more suicide attacks will follow. The Israeli attack generated substantive world criticism, even from President Bush, who called the action “heavy handed“. Many Israelis are grappling with their conscience as the government ponders earlier promises to ease restrictions on Palestinians, including releasing $45 million (out of nearly 2 billion… gee, thanks) in Palestinian tax revenue, allowing Palestinians to work again inside Israel, and removing troops from West Bank cities. “I don’t think Palestinians and Israel should be seeking revenge,” said Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat. “They should seek a way out of this vicious cycle.”
Zahed Amanullah is associate editor of altmuslim.com. He is based in London, England.
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