Targeted killings

. PHOTO: AFP

The policy of targeted killing is like a double-edged sword. What you do to your opponent, they can do to you.

But the psychological assumption that assassination casts fear into the heart of the enemy dissipates the moment the act becomes a routine and when the motive is revenge.

The systematic assassination campaign by Israel has succeeded in intensifying the confrontation, thus increasing the determination among Palestinians to continue the fight. The killing of Fathi Shikaki, leader of Islamic Jihad, in October 1995 was a major mistake. His successor, presumed to be lacking in leadership, proved to be even more capable than Shikaki.

Interestingly, Yassin once accepted an end to the conflict, one that included a Palestinian state next to Israel. His main target was to end the Israeli occupation. It is important to remember that Hamas and all forms of resistance were born out of the Israeli occupation. Last summer, Yassin was instrumental in effecting a unilateral cease-fire.

Yet by killing Yassin and Rantissi, Sharon has succeeded in turning the clock back, destroying the Oslo Agreement and the Palestinian Authority as a partner. For Sharon, peace means giving up the land in the West Bank. There is also an obvious cynical political angle to the Yassin and Rantissi killings. By this act, Sharon has silenced the militant critics of his disengagement plan within the Likud Party and transferred the peace process to an existential conflict. The Israeli government has spent most of its energies trying to negate the possibility of establishing a Palestinian state. By embarking on a new level of violence that will in turn make Hamas more militant, Sharon is in fact waiting for the next Hamas retaliation that will strengthen his hands. He is even ready to sacrifice more Jews in the process. Violation of international law is unimportant with the Bush camp backing him all the way.

The Israeli decision to kill Arafat's deputy Abu Jihad in 1988 was not without reason. His death left Arafat alone without the counsel of a talented and pragmatic strategist.

By killing Yassin and Rantissi, Sharon has tried to put the final nails in the coffin of the Palestinian Authority.

The death camp can rejoice. But this will be short lived, as life always wins in the end. That is the lesson of history.