Israel's 'targeted killings'
18 April, 2004
Within a spam of three weeks Israel has killed two founder members and top leaders of Hamas as an act of pre-emptive strike. Israel has vowed to target militants wherever they are
Israel has been killing those it considers a threat to its security for decades but, in the past few years, the policy has been stepped up as part of the government's attempts to stop suicide attacks.
Meanwhile, White House and European Union has reacted differently on these targeted killings being conducted by Israel.
White House press secretary Scott McClellan said,
"As we have repeatedly made clear, Israel has the right to defend itself from terrorist attacks... The United States is gravely concerned for regional peace and stability. The United States strongly urges Israel to consider carefully the consequences of its actions, and we again urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint at this time. This is especially true at a moment when there is hope that an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza will bring a new opportunity for progress toward peace."
On the other hand, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said,
"The European Union has consistently condemned extrajudicial killings. Israel has a right to protect its citizens from terrorist attacks, but actions of this type are not only unlawful, they are not conducive to lowering tension."
1. Do you think such targeted killings are justified ?
2.Would such targeted killings help bring peace into the region ?
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