Joshua Claybourn celebrates the death of Hamas spiritual leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin by likening him to Saruman. Call me a liberal European, Josh but I find it slightly tasteless to rejoice over any death- especially one carried out in a manner to lower the Israelis to the same level as the terrorists.

If the methods of victims do not differ from that of their attackers, who is to say who the victims now are?

Sadly the story of terrorism in Israel is of attack and counter attack, and of atrocities on both sides.

The use of a strict 'Eye for an Eye' doctrine can only escalate the situation. The British realised this in Ireland through their mistakes.

Negotiation with the Pallestinians is the only sensible answer, and a determination to act by legal and restrained ways.

Of course, no one knows what some terrorist groups actually want- and to negotiate with them is problematic in the extreme!

Terrorists need groups of ordinary people who are loosely sympathetic to their aims if not their methods to survive. When such groups see actions such as that which ocured in Israel it is difficult to tell them that the terrorists methods are unacceptable whilst similar acts are being perpetrated by their victims.

UPDATE (From comments section)

Joshua Claybourn replies
I'm rejoicing over his death? Please point out the rejoicing with quotes.

Do you not think Ahmed Yassin looks like Saruman? The similarities are striking. But I'm still confused about where there's rejoicing.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adrian'The Hobbits of the Middle East Middle Earth will rejoice.'

And generally the poor taste of the piece....

Yes point out the likeness, but I think all the hobbit stuff is a bit premature. The death of any man is not the best opporunity for a joke in my book!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Joshua
Adrian, you're misinterpreting "The Hobbits of the Middle East Middle Earth will rejoice." Do you not think some Israelis will be rejoicing? Surely they'll understand retaliation will come their way, but I'd imagine that on the whole they supported his death. Either way, I see no rejoicing on my part. I do think his death is justified, but I don't usually rejoice over deaths.

You write that I'm rejoicing over his death when I am not. That's a false statement and I'd ask that you correct it.

As for the poor taste, we just disagree. The similarities are much too striking and I have no regrets pointing them out.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mmmmm.....

It just comes accross as a celebratory post, Josh. Maybe its a cross cultural thing. You know- the British and the Americans are divided by a common language and all that.

I am quite happy to accept your word for your lack of rejoicing over this, but wonder if I am the only one who would have interpreted it this way?