In The Daily Universe, the author or 'Palestinian leader' bemoans how Israel violated 'a number of international laws and human rights' and asks, 'What can a handicap person do to the Middle East!' (brackets added). He states that Ahmed Yassin's teachings have 'taught Palestinians as well as others a lot about life, struggle and death.' Well. I should like to know just what, exactly, the good Sheikh taught about conflict other than taking explosive devices into crowded places and turning random people into so much rapidly expanding blood and chunks of flesh.
Perhaps when the author says that Mr. Yassin teaches a lot about death he refers to the doctrine that terrorists will be exalted in heaven; one can only guess, but such thoughts are interesting. What wonderful teaching does the author glean from this kind of a man? What pearls of wisdom does he find deep in the mind of a mass-murderer?
You're on your own to find out as the author perforce left them out of his letter. As for breaking 'international laws,' I would respond to such a libel that Mr. Yassin, as an enemy combatant that had committed numerous acts of war against the sovereign nation of Israel, was not entitled to due process and was quite naturally a valid military target. 'International law' is quite clear on that subject.
So how much damage can a man in a wheelchair do to the country with the world's fourth strongest military? Lucky for the men, women and children of Israel they won't have to find out. Lucky for the world a madman will no longer be able to inspire impressionable youth with a mere handshake and a few inflammatory words.
Jordan Pomeroy
Springville