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American Muslim organizations condemn AMP Report Major American Muslim organizations have strongly denounced the assassination of Shiekh Ahmed Yassin, a wheelchair-bound Palestinian Muslim religious leader, calling it an act of "state terrorism." Monday morning, March 22, 2004, Israel fired a missile from a helicopter gunship, killing Shiekh Ahmed Yassin, the founder of Hamas who was regarded by Palestinians at large as a major figure, and nine others. The attack in Gaza City also injured two of Yassin’s sons among many others. Reports in the Israeli press state that the assassination was directly overseen By Sharon. The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) while strongly condemning the assassination of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin said that the murder of the spiritual leader of Hamas movement constitutes a major escalation in the conflict by the Israeli government of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon The ADC said that this extraordinary provocation that is almost certain to intensify the cycle of violence and complicate efforts to resume peace negotiations. The American Muslim Voice (AMV)condemned the assassination of Sheikh Yassin and said that the act of Israeli state terrorism will further escalate the cycle of violence and and complicate efforts to resume peace negotiations. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), in a strongly worded statement said that The Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) condemned the murder of Sheikh Ahmed Yasin and described it a shameful act and an example of the state-sponsored terrorism of Israeli government under Ariel Sharon. The Muslim American Society (MAS) strongly condemned the assassination of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin described it as a state-sponsored terrorism. The MAS called for an immediate Congress investigation and hearing on Israel’s continued use of U.S.-made weapons to attack civilians, a clear violation of the U.S. Arms Export Control Act. The Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) said that Israel has committed an act of state terrorism whose purpose and result can only be to profoundly escalate the Israeli-Palestinian conflict – an move so intensely dangerous that should place Israel outside the community of civilized nations. President Bush’s call that both parties exercise restraint is hollow and simply insufficient and irresponsible, MPAC said adding that this incident represents nothing less than a failure in American foreign policy. The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) has a long-standing policy of opposing any attacks directed against civilians, no matter who the victims or the perpetrators might be. The ADC has been strongly critical of the policy of assassinating Palestinian political leaders by the Sharon government. The ADC notes that today’s murders also constitute a major escalation in the conflict by Sharon and an extraordinary provocation that is almost certain to intensify the cycle of violence and complicate efforts to resume peace negotiations. The ADC reiterated its conviction that the only way to stop the conflict is to bring about a complete end to the Israeli occupation of East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza Strip. “We strongly denounce the assassination of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, the spiritual leader of the Hamas movement as an act of terrorism by Israel. “The assassination of the Palestinian spiritual leader will further escalate the cycle of violence and complicate efforts to resume peace negotiations.” "Bland administration statements urging 'restraint by all parties' will only be viewed internationally as tacit approval of Israel's actions and will undermine our moral and legal basis for the war on terrorism. "Until Israel views Palestinians as human beings, and not just animals to be slaughtered at will during 'hunting season,'* there can be no viable and just resolution to the Middle East conflict. And until America adopts a truly even-handed approach to that conflict, our nation's image will continue to suffer worldwide." "The assassination of Sheikh [Ahmed] Yassin is a shameful act and an example of the state-sponsored terrorism of Israeli government under Ariel Sharon. Such acts of violence do not help bring peace, but rather create more hatred and bring more violence. "Sheikh Yassin was loved by so many of his followers and widely considered by many as their religious leader. This is a clear violation of international law and sends a very wrong message to the Palestinians suffering under Israeli occupation. "The U.S. government must immediately take efforts to stop these murders by the Israeli government and should send a strong message to the Israeli government by canceling Ariel Sharon's upcoming visit to Washington." “This horrific act will plunge the region into further turmoil and escalate the cycle of violence in a region already suffering under an unlawful Israeli occupation and devastated by unrelenting bloodshed. The assassination will undermine the stated U.S. policy of fostering peace and stability in the region. “MAS is deeply concerned about President George W. Bush’s administration’s laissez-faire policy exhibited towards Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, especially since Sharon’s policy of extra-judicial assassination violates international law and undermines the very stated position of President Bush’s peace policy for the region.” MAS Freedom Executive Director Mahdi Bray added: “By continuing a policy of not holding Israel accountable to violations of U.S. and international law, we seriously undermine our national interest and any genuine efforts in the war on terrorism.” “Unfortunately, violence in the Middle East has become commonplace; but Sharon’s assassination (of Sheikh Yassin) is an act of violence so severe and provocative that it represents a paradigm shift in this conflict that is most dangerous and ominous. “Israel has in the past justified its illegal assassination policy by claiming that those they assassinate are "ticking time bombs" who pose an immediate threat to Israel. Killing an 87 year old, wheelchair bound, quadriplegic man who is almost completely deaf does not conform to Israel’s standard excuse for it’s illegal behavior. March 22, 2004 |