Ahmed Yassin
Ahmed Yassin | |
---|---|
أحمد ياسين | |
Born | June 1936 |
Died | 22 March 2004 | (aged 67)
Cause of death | Assassination |
Nationality | Palestinian |
Education | Al-Azhar University, Cairo |
Occupations |
|
Organization | Hamas |
Sheikh Ahmed Ismail Hassan Yassin (
Yassin was born in
He served as Hamas'
Early life
Ahmed Yassin was born in
Yassin came to Gaza as a
Although Yassin applied to and attended Al-Azhar University in Cairo, he was unable to pursue his studies there due to his deteriorating health. He was forced to be educated at home where he read widely, particularly on philosophy and on religion, politics, sociology, and economics. His followers believe that his worldly knowledge made him "one of the best speakers in the Gaza Strip". During this time, he began delivering weekly sermons after Friday prayers, drawing large crowds of people.[15]
After years of unemployment, he got a post as an
Involvement in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict
Yassin was actively involved in setting up a Palestinian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood.[17] In 1973, the Islamic charity Mujama al-Islamiya was established in Gaza by Sheikh Ahmed Yassin and the organization was recognized by Israel in 1979.[18] In 1984 he and others were jailed for secretly stockpiling weapons, but in 1985 he was released as part of the Jibril Agreement.[19] In 1987, during the First Intifada, Yassin co-founded Hamas with Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi, originally calling it the "paramilitary wing" of the Palestinian Muslim Brotherhood, and becoming its spiritual leader.[20]
In 1989, Yassin was arrested by Israel and sentenced to life imprisonment for ordering killings of alleged Palestinian collaborators.
Following his release, Yassin resumed his leadership of Hamas. He immediately repeated his calls for attacks on Israel, using tactics including suicide bombings, thus violating the condition of his release.
On 6 September 2003, an
Yassin further promised that Hamas would teach Israel an "unforgettable lesson" as a result of the assassination attempt.[25] Yassin made no attempt to guard himself from further attempts on his life or hide his location. Journalists sometimes visited his Gaza address and Yassin maintained a routine daily pattern of activity, including being wheeled every morning to a nearby mosque.
Reem Riyashi's suicide bombing at the Erez crossing on 14 January 2004, which killed four civilians, was believed by the Israeli military to have been directly ordered by Yassin.[26] Yassin suggested that the suicide bomber was fulfilling her "obligation" to make jihad,[27] and Israel's Deputy Defence Minister responded by publicly declaring that Yassin was "marked for death". Yassin denied any involvement in the attack.[26]
Involvement in attacks on Israel
Yassin was a founder and leader of Hamas, which is regarded as a terrorist organization by Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, Paraguay, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union.
In 1997, Yassin proposed a halt of attacks on Israel, if Israel withdrew from the West Bank and Gaza.[29]
In his statement Yassin declared that Hamas did target Israeli civilians, but only in direct retaliation for the death of Palestinian civilians. In his thinking this was a necessary tactic to "show the Israelis they could not get away without a price for killing our people."[30] In June 2003, after visiting al-Rantisi in hospital after a failed Israeli missile attack against him, Yassin told reporters: "Israel is targeting Palestinian civilians, so Israeli civilians should be targeted. From now on, all Israeli people are targets." "We got Israel's message. They should now expect the answer."[31]
Views on Jews
In an interview, probably recorded in the 1990s, Ahmed Yassin stated his view on Jews:
"We don't hate Jews and fight Jews because they are Jewish. They are a people of faith and we are a people of faith, and we love all people of faith. If my brother, from my own mother and father and my own faith takes my homes and expels me from it, I will fight him. I will fight my cousin if he takes my home and expels me from it. So when a Jew takes my home and expels me from it, I will fight him. I don't fight other countries because I want to be at peace with them, I love all people and wish peace for them, even the Jews. The Jews lived with us all of our lives and we never assaulted them, and they held high positions in government and ministries. But if they take my home and make me a refugee like 4 million Palestinians in exile? Who has more right to this land? The Russian immigrant who left this land 2000 years ago or the one who left 40 years ago? We don't hate the Jews, we only ask for them to give us our rights."[32]
In a 1997 speech, Yassin said:[33]
I want to proclaim loudly to the world that we are not fighting Jews because they are Jews! We are fighting them because they assaulted us, they killed us, they took our land, our homes, our children, our women, they scattered us, we became scattered everywhere, a people without a homeland. We want our rights. We don't want more. We love peace, but they hate the peace, because people who take away the rights of others don't believe in peace. Why should we not fight? We have our right to defend ourselves.
Views on the peace process
Yassin's views on the
Yassin's rhetoric was often scrutinized in the news media.[37] On one occasion, he opined that Israel "must disappear from the map."[37] Yassin's declaration that "We chose this road, and will end with martyrdom or victory" later became a repeated mantra among Palestinians.[38]
Yassin on several occasions proposed long-term ceasefire agreements, or truces, so called Hudnas, in exchange for Israeli concessions. All such offers were rejected by Israel. Following his release from Israeli prison in 1997, he proposed a ten-year truce in exchange for total Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza and a stop to Israeli attacks on civilians. In 1999, in an interview with an Egyptian newspaper, he again offered a truce:[39]
We have to be realistic. We are talking about a homeland that was stolen a long time ago in 1948 and again in 1967. My generation today is telling the Israelis, 'Let's solve this problem now, on the basis of the 1967 borders. Let's end this conflict by declaring a temporary ceasefire. Let's leave the bigger issue for future generations to decide.' The Palestinians will decide in the future about the nature of relations with Israel, but it must be a democratic decision.[39]
It was shortly after once such truce offer, in January 2004, that Yassin was assassinated.[40]
Assassination
Yassin was killed in an Israeli attack on 22 March 2004. While he was being wheeled out of an early morning prayer session in
Yassin and his bodyguards were killed instantly, along with nine bystanders.[11][42] Another 12 people were injured in the operation, including two of Yassin's sons. Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi, Yassin's deputy, became the Hamas leader after his assassination, but was also killed shortly thereafter.[41]
Reaction to assassination
A draft resolution condemning the extrajudicial execution of Yassin and six other Palestinians, as well as all terrorist attacks against civilians[46] was brought before the United Nations Security Council and vetoed by the United States, with United Kingdom, Germany, and Romania abstaining.[47] The United States explained that the draft resolution should have condemned Hamas explicitly following its sponsored suicide bombings in Ashdod the week before.[48]
Palestinian
The
The assassination of Yassin also led to the fact that Hamas, for the first time, was named as the most popular movement in Palestine by the residents of the West Bank and Gaza Strip two weeks after the assassination.[49]
On 31 August 2004, at least 15 Israeli people were killed and 80 injured in a suicide attack against two Israeli buses in Beersheba. Hamas stated the attack was a revenge for the assassination of Rantisi and Yassin.[54] Following the bombing, an estimated 20,000 Hamas supporters in Gaza took to Gaza's streets, celebrating the successful attack.[55]
Israeli
The Israeli government said the targeted killing was in response to dozens of suicide attacks by Hamas against Israeli civilians.[56] The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs defended the assassination of Yassin:
Yassin was the dominant authority of the
Qassam rockets against Israeli cities, as well as for the numerous Hamas terrorist bombings and suicide operations. In his public appearances and interviews, Yassin called repeatedly for a continuation of the 'armed struggle' against Israel, and for an intensification of the terrorist campaign against its citizens. The successful operation against Yassin constitutes a significant blow to a central pillar of the Hamas terrorist organization, and a major setback to its terrorist infrastructure.[57]
Shaul Mofaz, the Israeli Defense Minister, branded Yassin "the Palestinian Bin Laden" and said, "If we have to balance how many more terrorists Yassin would have sent, how many terror attacks he would have approved, if we weigh this on the scales, we acted rightly".[12]
Avraham Poraz, Israel's Interior Minister and member of the centrist Shinui Party, said he believed the assassination of Yassin "was a bad idea because I am afraid of a revenge coming from the Palestinian side, from the Hamas side."[58] Shimon Peres, then leader of the Labour opposition, was critical of the assassination, suggesting that it "could lead to an escalation of terror".[58]
Arab world
Western world
Jack Straw, then British Foreign Secretary, said: "All of us understand Israel's need to protect itself – and it is fully entitled to do that – against the terrorism which affects it, within international law. But it is not entitled to go in for this kind of unlawful killing and we condemn it. It is unacceptable, it is unjustified and it is very unlikely to achieve its objectives."[59] The European Union's foreign policy head Javier Solana expressed concern that it might impede the peace process.[11]
In response to a question about the killing, U.S. President George W. Bush responded:
As far as the Middle East, it's a troubled region, and the attacks were troubling. There needs to be a focused, concerted effort by all parties to fight terror. Any country has a right to defend itself from terror. Israel has the right to defend herself from terror. And as she does so, I hope she keeps consequences in mind as to how to make sure we stay on the path to peace.[60]
The killing of Sheikh Yassin has escalated tensions in Gaza and the greater Middle East, and sets back our effort to resume progress towards peace. However, events must be considered in their context and as we consider the killing of Sheikh Yassin, we must keep in mind the facts. Sheikh Ahmed Yassin was the leader of a terrorist organization, one which has proudly taken credit for indiscriminate attacks against civilians, including most recently an attack last week in the Port of Ashdod, which left 10 Israelis dead. He preached hatred, and glorified suicide bombings of buses, restaurants, and cafes. Yassin was opposed to the existence of the State of Israel, and actively sought to undermine a two-state solution in the Middle East.
See also
Notes and references
Citations
- ^ a b Kabahā 2014, pp. 323.
- ^ "Sheikh Ahmad Yassin". Jewish Virtual Library. 2004. Retrieved 6 April 2008.
Ahmed Yassin's Palestinian passport listed his date of birth as 1 January 1929, but Palestinian sources listed his birth year as 1937 (other Western media reported it as 1938).
- ISBN 978-0-8368-6561-5. Retrieved 11 June 2010.
- ISBN 978-0-275-99336-8. Retrieved 11 June 2010.
- ISBN 978-0-275-99446-4. Retrieved 11 June 2010.
- ISBN 978-0-7546-4995-3. Retrieved 11 June 2010.
- ISBN 978-0-7425-4953-1. Retrieved 11 June 2010.
- ^ "islam.about.com". Archived from the original on 11 March 2007. Retrieved 18 June 2007.
- ^ ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
- ^ a b "Behind the Headlines: Ahmed Yassin 22-Mar-2004". Mfa.gov.il. Retrieved 11 June 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "The life and death of Shaikh Yasin". Al Jazeera. 27 March 2004. Archived from the original on 16 August 2007. Retrieved 7 August 2007.
- ^ a b c d Prusher, Ilene R. (23 March 2004). "Killing of Yassin a Turning Point". The Christian Science Monitor.
- ^ Pappe 2017, p. 240.
- ^ Chehab 2007, p. 15.
- ^ a b c Chehab 2007, p. 16.
- ^ Chehab 2007, p. 17.
- ^ Jefferis 2016, p. 50.
- ^ Higgins, Andrew (24 January 2009). "How Israel Helped to Spawn Hamas". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 7 December 2015.
- ^ "HAMAS and Israel: Conflicting Strategies of Group-Based Politics" (PDF). Retrieved 11 June 2010.
- ^ a b c d "Sheikh Yassin: Spiritual figurehead". BBC Online. 22 March 2004. Retrieved 7 August 2007.
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- ^ LCCN 2008005474. Retrieved 6 April 2009.
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- ^ "Hamas founder targeted in Gaza airstrike". CNN. 6 September 2003. Retrieved 18 June 2007.
- ^ "abc.net.au". ABC. Archived from the original on 5 April 2004. Retrieved 18 June 2007.
- ^ a b "Sheikh Yassin denies attack role". BBC News. 16 January 2004.
- ^ "Palestinian mother is suicide bomber in attack at border". Seattle Times. 15 January 2004. Archived from the original on 14 October 2009. Retrieved 11 June 2010.
- ^ * Also: Banned in Jordan—Karmi, Omar. "What does the Hamas victory mean for nearby Jordan?" Archived 4 October 2009 at the Wayback Machine, The Daily Star, 18 February 2006
- Australia lists the militant wing of Hamas, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, as a terrorist organization--Listing of Terrorist Organisations Archived 4 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine, Australian Government Attorney-General's Department, 27 January 2006; retrieved 31 July 2006.
- United Kingdom lists the militant wing of Hamas, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, as a terrorist organization--" United Kingdom Home Security Office. Terrorism Act 2000. Proscribed terrorist groups
- ^ Filiu (2014). Gaza: A History. Oxford University Press. p. 243.
- ^ Faisal Bodi, "My Meeting with Sheikh Yasin", Al-Jazeera (English), 22 March 2004.
- ^ "Chronological Review of Events/June 2003 - DPR review". www.un.org. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
- ^ "فلسطين.. ووهم أسلمة الصراع! =1 December 2023". Al Jazeera.
- New York Times. 23 October 1997.
- ^ Gunning, Jeroen (2009). Hamas in Politics. Columbia University Press. p. 26.
- ^ Yassin, Ahmed (March 1995). "Interview". Filastin al-Muslimah (Interview). as quoted in Passner, Deborah (28 October 2003). "Hamas Takes "Revenge"?". Israel National News. Retrieved 30 September 2007.
- ^ Ahmad Yassin – Why Hamas fight. YouTube. Muslim 333. 31 January 2009. Archived from the original on 21 November 2012.
- ^ a b Poole, Elizabeth and Richardson, John E. Muslims and the News Media. 2006, page 112.
- ^ Harel, Amos; Arnon Regular (22 March 2004). "Security forces on heightened terror alert". Haaretz. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
- ^ a b "Hamas Ceasefire Proposal: Peace or Pause?". The Washington Institute.
- ^ Kimmerling, Baruch. Clash of Identities: Explorations in Israeli and Palestinian Societies. Columbia University Press, 2008, 299.
- ^ a b c d "Special Report: Shaikh Ahmed Yassin's Assassination". Al Jazeera. March 2004. Archived from the original on 9 July 2012. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
- ^ "Assassination of Sheik Yasin Opened Pandora's box". scoop.co.nz. 23 March 2004. Retrieved 18 June 2007.
- ^ "Annan strongly condemns Israeli assassination of Hamas leader". Archived from the original on 13 February 2007. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
- ^ "COMMISSION HOLDS SPECIAL SITTING ON SITUATION IN OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY FOLLOWING THE KILLING OF SHEIKH YASSIN Adopts Resolution Which Condemns Continuing Grave Violations of Human Rights in Territory, Including Tragic Assassination of Sheikh Yassin". Archived from the original on 27 June 2004. Retrieved 29 September 2011.
- ^ "Urgent announcement by the Arab League Council on the Permanent Representatives Level". Archived from the original on 27 June 2004. Retrieved 29 September 2011.
- ^ United Nations Security Council Document 240. S/2004/240 24 March 2004.
- ^ United Nations Security Council Verbotim Report 4934. S/PV/4934 page 3. 25 March 2004 at 17:05. Retrieved 13 September 2007.
- ^ United Nations Security Council Verbotim Report 4934. S/PV/4934 page 2. John Negroponte United States 25 March 2004 at 17:05. Retrieved 14 September 2007.
- doi:10.1525/jps.2004.33.4.021. Archived from the original(PDF) on 31 July 2013. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
- ^ a b Myre, Greg (24 March 2004). "After Sheik Is Slain, Hamas Picks Fiery Figure as Its Leader in Gaza". The New York Times. Retrieved 23 April 2010.
- ^ Brown, Derek (19 April 2004). "Leader of Hamas for just 25 days, he fought for a free Palestine". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media Limited. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
- ^ N/A. "Qassam Brigades marks 11th anniversary of Sheikh Yassin's assassination". Middle East Monitor. The Middle East Monitor. Archived from the original on 20 July 2015. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
- ^ N/A. "Hamas leader killed in Israeli airstrike". CNN International. Cable News Network LP, LLLP. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
- ISBN 978-0-275-99639-0
- ^ Palestinians celebrate deadly Israeli bus bombings, haaretz.com; accessed 22 March 2015.
- ^ "Thousands mourn Hamas founder (CNN)". CNN. 6 May 2004. Retrieved 11 June 2010.
- ^ "IDF strike kills Hamas leader Ahmed Yassin". MFA. 22 March 2004. Retrieved 11 June 2010.
- ^ a b Israel defiant over Yassin killing, bbc.co.uk, 22 March 2004
- ^ "Blair condemns Hamas chief death". BBC News. 22 March 2004. Retrieved 11 June 2010.
- ^ "President Discusses Economy and Terrorism After Cabinet Meeting". Georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov. 23 March 2004. Retrieved 11 June 2010.
- ^ "U.S. Mission to Italy". Usembassy.it. Archived from the original on 14 June 2011. Retrieved 11 June 2010.
Bibliography
- Chehab, Zaki (2007). Inside Hamas: The Untold Story of Militants, Martyrs and Spies. I.B. Tauris. ISBN 978-1-84511-389-6.
- Jefferis, Jennifer (12 February 2016). Hamas: Terrorism, Governance, and Its Future in Middle East Politics: Terrorism, Governance, and Its Future in Middle East Politics. ABC-CLIO. pp. 50–. ISBN 978-1-4408-3903-0.
- Kabahā, Muṣṭafá (2014). The Palestinian People: Seeking Sovereignty and State. Lynne Rienner Publishers, Incorporated. ISBN 978-1-58826-882-2.
- Pappe, Ilan (22 June 2017). The Biggest Prison on Earth: A History of the Occupied Territories. Oneworld Publications. pp. 281–. ISBN 978-1-78074-433-9.
External links
- Reports on death
- "IDF strike kills Hamas leader Ahmed Yassin" (Israeli MFA)
- "Sharon was after the Yassin's murder". Archived from the original on 27 December 2004. Retrieved 11 June 2011.
- "Assassination of Sheik Yasin Opened Pandora's box"
- Interactive Guide: Sheikh Yassin assassination – The Guardian
- Profiles of Yassin
- UN Response