Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : The Castle -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: TimF who wrote (2497)	1/24/2004 1:28:17 AM
From: tejek	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 7936

Your link requires registration. Here is the article: ********************************************************* Nation & World: Saturday, January 17, 2004 Israel, Hamas swap death threats By Karin Laub The Associated Press JERUSALEM — Hamas founder and spiritual leader Ahmed Yassin brushed off warnings by a top Israeli official that he is "marked for death" and, at a Gaza City mosque yesterday, said his Islamic militant group will continue to attack Israelis. The exchange of threats came after a deadly Hamas suicide bombing this week further spoiled chances for a cease-fire, the starting point for a U.S.-backed peace plan. Israeli security officials said targeted killings of senior Hamas members would likely resume after Wednesday's bombing killed four Israeli border guards at the Erez crossing between the Gaza Strip and Israel. Previous pinpoint Israeli strikes against Palestinian militants have triggered revenge bombings. Deputy Defense Minister Zeev Boim told Israel Army radio Yassin would be targeted, the first time an Israeli official was so specific. "Sheik Yassin is marked for death, and he should hide himself deep underground where he won't know the difference between day and night. And we will find him in the tunnels, and we will eliminate him," Boim said. But he later said high-level Defense Ministry discussions on a response to the Erez bombing did not include a specific decision to kill Yassin. Security officials said killing Yassin would require approval from Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. "We never comment on specific cases," said Sharon adviser Raanan Gissin. Last summer, Israel unleashed several airstrikes against leading Hamas figures, killing one but missing three others, including Yassin, 69, who escaped the bombing of a Gaza City building in September with minor injuries. The Hamas founder is a quadriplegic from a childhood accident and also blind. An Israeli strike against Yassin likely would provoke bloody Hamas attacks and boost support for the group, Arafat's main political rival, said Palestinian legislator Hanan Ashrawi. "If they target Hamas leaders, I don't think anybody can control the (Hamas) military wing." Israeli security officials said Yassin approved Wednesday's bombing and issued a religious ruling allowing women to carry out such attacks. Hamas recruited a 22-year-old mother of two for the Erez attack. Sending a female bomber was a first for the fundamentalist group. Appearing at a Gaza City mosque yesterday for noon prayers, Yassin denied he was involved in planning attacks. However, he said, "Israel will pay for its crimes" and Hamas would continue resisting occupation, a phrase that generally refers to bombing and shootings attacks on Israelis in the West Bank and Gaza. RELATED DEVELOPMENTS: Israel television reported Sharon is considering changing the route of a barrier Israel is building in the West Bank to cut costs and reduce Palestinian suffering. Sharon aides are to present proposed changes to U.S. officials next week. A Sharon spokesman declined comment. • Israel is considering a new name for the barrier, a massive complex of walls, fences and watchtowers in the West Bank, changing it from a "security fence" to the "Terror Prevention Fence" in an attempt to improve its international image. Israel says the barrier is essential to protecting Israelis. The Palestinians say the barrier, which juts into the West Bank to include Jewish settlements, is an attempt to solidify borders without a peace agreement. • Israeli reservists who refuse to serve in occupied territories demonstrated for peace at Israel's border with the Gaza Strip yesterday. It was the first joint demonstration by reservist pilots, elite commandos and infantry troops who signed separate letters stating their refusal to serve in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. "Peace, Yes. Occupation, No," the reservists chanted. One of the 70 protesters raised a poster saying: "We won't kill for you." Material from Reuters is included in this report. Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company