'Bush has Rantissi's blood on his hands'

The Australian ^ | April 19 2004

[knighthawk]

"IT was Bush." The verdict was near unanimous amid the rage on Palestinian streets last night after Israel assassinated Hamas leader Abdel Aziz Rantissi in an air strike the Arab world blamed on the new alliance between Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and the US President.

"Bush has Rantissi's blood on his hands," Khamis Saadi cried as he joined the tens of thousands who swept into Gaza's shabby streets for Dr Rantissi's funeral.

"All doors to hell should be opened against the Israelis and against the Americans."

Dr Rantissi's body was carried aloft on a stretcher draped in a green Hamas flag, his face left uncovered to reveal the red lacerations of shrapnel. Weeping mourners reached out to try to touch his body.

Hours after he was killed in a manner almost identical to the March 22 elimination of his predecessor Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, Hamas announced it had appointed a successor. Faced with Israel's threat to kill all its leaders, the group said it would not reveal his name.

Palestinian sources speculated that possible replacements were Mahmoud al-Zahar, a senior Hamas leader who escaped an Israeli assassination attempt last year, or Ismail Haniyah, Yassin's former right-hand man.

Mr Sharon wants to weaken Hamas ahead of Israel's planned exit from the Gaza Strip to prevent the militant group, which has spearheaded a suicide-bombing campaign that has killed hundreds of Israelis, from becoming the main power after the withdrawal.

US officials strenuously denied giving approval to Israel for the assassination. White House spokesman Scott McClellan said the US had no warning of the strike, but he reaffirmed the US position that Israel had a right to defend itself against terrorists.

But Palestinians, fuming over Mr Bush's backing for Mr Sharon's Gaza withdrawal plan, which involves Israel keeping six West Bank settlements, said Dr Rantissi's killing was the result of "US bias" towards Israel that undermined any chance of peace.

Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia said the assassination was "a direct result of American encouragement". On the streets of Gaza, there were calls for Hamas to change its longstanding strategy of attacking only Israelis and to start killing Americans.

Lebanese Shi'ite movement Hezbollah said it held the US "directly responsible" for the assassination. "This crime is the practical result of the positions of the American President," it said in a statement.

Condemnation of Dr Rantissi's killing came from around the world. European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana called the killing "unlawful" and "not conducive to lowering tension". British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said it was "unlawful, unjustified and counterproductive and United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said it was in breach of international law.

US reaction was more nuanced. "The US is gravely concerned for regional peace and stability," Mr McClellan said.

Anger in Arab countries was intense. Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher accused Israel of trying to "kill off the chance for peace (and push) the region to the edge of the abyss".

Yemeni Foreign Minister Abubakr al-Qibri said: "The US bears the responsibility for what happens, since after every visit by Sharon to Washington he commits more terrorism and assassinations."

Jordan's King Abdullah II called it an "ugly crime".

[knighthawk]

Ping

[Pearls Before Swine]

So why do the Israelis keep supplying electricity and water to the Palis? Wouldn't they be better occupied doing it themselves? They seem to have too much time on their idle hands to stew in hate and cook up trouble.

[nuconvert]

Wish he had Khamenei and Rafsanjani's blood on his hands.
And while we're at it, let's add Jong-il & Castro to that list.

[Hans]

Why is it that 'Rantissi's blood on my hands'
seems a quite tolerable burden?

[kingu]

It's all Bush's fault? I love it. To imagine that Israel would pick up the phone and do 'Mother, May I?' A leader of a terrorist organization can never be assassinated. Only killed while evading capture.

[SouthernFreebird]

They better save some of that wailing and knashing of teeth for when Arafart bites the dust. ;)

[Astronaut]

If the Pallies want to give President Bush credit for sending "Doctor" Rantissi to Hell, so be it. Credit should also go to Ariel Sharon, and the Apache crew that put the missile up the terrorist's ass.

President Bush should support Israel at it wages war on terror. We share a common enemy: Islamic Fascist Fundamentalists. We have a real shot at defeating radical islam unless the liberal media elite gets Sen. Botox elected in November.

[okie01]

Palestinian sources speculated that possible replacements were Mahmoud al-Zahar, a senior Hamas leader who escaped an Israeli assassination attempt last year, or Ismail Haniyah, Yassin's former right-hand man.

So, kill them both.

[Arpege92]

Uh oh....they're back to blaming the U.S. again! Are they going to start attacking Americans and if they are, is Bush going to make them wish they hadn't. I say bring it on!!!

[SpyGuy]

"Bush has Rantissi's blood on his hands"

If it were true, I would consider that a Red Badge of Courage.

[ApplegateRanch]

I'll be sure to warn President Bush to disinfect immediately. No telling what that Sheet Head was infected with!

Really nice of them to point this out.

My only question, though, is, "How did they manage get it onto his hands without the Secret Service noticing?"

[an amused spectator]

"All doors to hell should be opened against the Israelis and against the Americans."

Well, it's not a formal declaration of war, but why take any chances...