Cycle of vengeance must be broken
South China Morning Post
March 24, 2004

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hamas leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin was no angel and no friend of Zionism. He called for a complete dismantling of the Israeli state and advocated violence to achieve this aim. But the Israeli assassination of Yassin this week represented yet another wrong turn in Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's increasingly unrealistic attempt to end attacks on his countrymen by cracking down on Palestinian militants and their leaders. The government-sponsored murder is not only illegal and immoral, it is hypocritical when coming from a democratic state that professes adherence to international laws and human rights principles.

The greater significance, however, lies in Yassin's status as the second-most popular Palestinian leader and a respected cleric. Mr Sharon has taken a gamble in ordering his death, and in targeting other Hamas leaders, believing this will weaken the militant factions and pave the way for the Palestinian Authority to take control when Israel withdraws from parts of Gaza and the West Bank. Such deaths could just as likely have the opposite effect: mobilising Palestinian opposition to Israel's plans.

This possibility was demonstrated in the massive street protests Yassin's death provoked and the promises of further suicide bombings. If Hamas had no lack of volunteers for its suicide bombing missions before this event, recruitment could now become that much easier. Meanwhile, the peace process launched this time last year with a road map backed by the United States and Britain, one that envisaged both countries living in peace and security, is rarely mentioned anymore.

The Yassin affair follows Mr Sharon's announcement of his plan to fence Israelis off from much of the Palestinian population and his earlier attempts to expel Palestinian Authority leader Yasser Arafat. But as long as the border he foresees leaves Palestinians with less than half of the territory most agreements provide them, he will stand accused of making a grab for land. His idea that Israel can be secure behind a fence that provokes Palestinian anger is a fantasy, while methods that favour guns over diplomacy can only bring international condemnation.

No one expects Mr Sharon to negotiate with Hamas. Yet there is also no visible engagement with moderate Palestinians, such as prime minister Ahmed Qorei. Closing off the avenues moderates offer while conducting aggressive raids and targeting leaders such as Yassin can only be a recipe for stronger resistance - and much bloodshed on both sides. Getting back to the negotiating table after the events of this year will not be easy. But if Mr Sharon, Mr Arafat and Mr Qorei want to save the road map, this is the only option.