The extrajudicial killing of Hamas spintual leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin by
the Israeli Defence forces, with the proud authorisation of General Ariel Sharon, provoked condemnation throughout the world, even prompting Jack Straw to utter some mild criticism. For Palestinians and those involved in the struggle this is the loss of one of the most important figures of the second intifada, though he made no attempt to hide or protect himself from Israeli attack, living in the same house for years, inviting jouralists into his home, and going to the same mosque every day.
At Conway Hall, London, many people from the movement gathered to pay tribute to Sheikh Yassin and to express their outrage at this illegal act by the Zionist government and military.
The most moving and eloquent speech of the evening came, not surprisingly, from a Palestinian, Dr Tamimi, leader of the Muslim Association of Britain. Dr Tamimi told the gathering that Yassin had promised, at age 12, when his family was evicted from their house and land by the Israleis, that he would return to his homeland or die trying.
He explained that all Palestinians hold this in their hearts, adding "I don't give a damn about Israel or the Jews wanting a state. Zionists are gangsters who turned Palestinians into beggars dependent on the UN. We are strugglers, fighters, mojahadeen. We have always been there. We never hated Jews - Europe did. I refuse to accept the status quo - I am a revolutionary."
Dr Tamimi stated that Yassin was a freedom fighter in the tradition of all anti-imperiliast guerrillas, drawing comparisons with Che Guevara and Ben Bella. He was keen to dispell the myth of Yassin as a fundamentalist, emphasising that the media portrayal of Yassin is fabrication.
Tamimi also dismissed the two-state solution, rhetorically asking "What right does Israel have to exist?" He described the conditions in refugee camps and the hypocrisy of the west in its attitude
towards suicide bombers. "Martyrdom is never a loss. It is a gain.
This killing will provide nourishment for the revolution, for the resistance. Let's work for the cause - this is not just an occupation; Zionism as an ideology is as evil as Nazism. these gangsters claim that God entitles them to receive billions from the United States. God gave them the right? These people are sick deep in their minds."
Tamimi also rightly reiterated that both Hamas and Islamic Jihad had offered Israel a truce. Meanwhile, Gordon Brown rewards Ariel Sharon by freezing the bank accounts of all leading Hamas members in Britain.
Dr Tamimi finished by urging people to learn from history, and promised that Sheikh Yassin has not died in vain. The Palestinian solidarity movement will resist in the media, the political world, and all public circles.
The wide range of people in attendance was indicative of the fact that Yassin never represented only one faction or ideology. Israel feared him precisely because he was recognised as a leader
by such a broad range of Palestinians. The leadership of Yassin actually prevented the fragmentation of Palestine. He provided the people with houses, education, welfare, food. Like the Black Panthers, Hamas has a reputation as an armed group, but actually spends more time on community work. Chief terrorist Millions of dollars passed Sharon through Yassin's hands, from variNous wealthy Arabs and sympathetic governments, but he chose to live in poverty. Compare this with the decadence and corruption of Arafat and his circle and it is easy to see why so many Palestinians feel a stronger affinity with Hamas.
Rajab Shamar brought smiles to the
audience by telling us that a Palestinian
woman recently gave birth to triplets at a
checkpoint while Israeli soldiers stood
over her: "Sharon was shocked. three
more Palestinian fighters!" This was the
theme of the night - don't mourn; organise.
In Britain, our job is to take revenge on
our blood-soaked government, which is
now buying arms from Israel as well as
selling them via British Avionics and BAE
Systems.
We have two opportunities to do this in
the coming months - firstly by attending
the May 15 demonstration in support of
Palestine in Trafalgar Square; and then
by humiliating New Labour at the polls
on June 10. SEND
STATE OF * IN SYRIA (Top) Turkish Kurds on the march (1998) and now fighting back against repression in Syria