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Israel’s Assassination of Mahmoud Al-Mabhouh Is Undemocratic
Zien Halwani
 Israel has become devoid of democracy with respect to its foreign policy. At the international level democracy is reached via collaboration and cooperation with other states.
- It becomes more and more apparent that Israel’s Mossad stole the
identities of six British-Israeli dual citizens, as well as the
identities of French, German and Irish nationals, in order to carry out
an assassination of the Hamas military commander.
- The Israeli government’s disregard of international law — let alone common courtesy — comes off with an air of arrogance. To enter a foreign country with stolen passports and stolen identities,
in order to assassinate an individual who has not been convicted of a
crime is no less terrorist than to launch rockets at unsuspecting
citizens. (Daily 49er)
A Brilliant Blunder
by Josef Joffe
- The Dubai operation
looks like a brilliant bungle. Brilliant because it was swift, smooth
and effective. Hamas commander Mahmoud Mabhouh is dead and, according
to Jane's Defence Weekly, the
perpetrators took a cell-phone and a set of documents that reveal arms
sources and arms deals and so seriously damage future procurement.
- That's good for
deterrence, the action proving that Israel never forgets and forgives.
Not bad for a day's work that demonstrates superb logistics and precise
coordination.
- But weigh this against the blunder. The evidence thickens that it was an Israeli op. Let's assume the
Mossad did it. Why on earth did these super-smart folks think the
passport ploy would go unnoticed in today's post-9/11 world where every
travel document is scrutinized, digitally filed and compiled?
- Strengthening
deterrence in the Hobbesian world of the Middle East is always a good
thing. And reliable deterrence always requires a heavy dose of apparent
irrationality and real ruthlessness. This is true. But why would Israel
want to look like yet another rogue state that defies those minimal
standards by which the western world lives? The West is where Israel's
home is. (Bitterlemons-international)
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Hypocrisy
by Yossi Alpher
 - The international
reaction to the murder in his Dubai hotel room a month ago of Hamas
militant Mahmoud al-Mabhouh, and the sensational revelations that have
followed, constitute a near-universal exercise in hypocrisy.
- Let's begin with Dubai. It is the region's main sanctions-busting
transshipment station for Iran and its banks a laundering station for
drug money from Afghanistan.
- European governments,
including Britain, France and Germany whose passports were used in
Dubai, have for years been releasing captured terrorists to avoid
"complications," buy favors with Middle East terrorist movements and
purchase discount oil from radical governments.
- Israel's overall
security benefits from Mabhouh's elimination not only in terms of
disrupting Hamas-Iran security cooperation but also as a deterrent
against other Hamas officials operating abroad. It is clear to Hamas
that the ingenuity and sophistication that were invested in locating
and tracking Mabhouh were not a one-time investment. (Bitterlemons-international)
Israel Must Be Held Accountable
by Ghassan Khatib
- Mahmoud al-Mabhouh was
accused of taking part in the capture and killing of two Israeli
soldiers 20 years ago as well as arms dealing. But to determine guilt
we are asked simply to take Israel's word.
- This is typical. This latest murder is
entirely consistent with this typical Israeli disregard for
international legality and other states' sovereignty. And the way the
international community in the past has treated Israel's negligence of
international law and other people's rights has indirectly encouraged
such behavior. Israel has been allowed to act as a country above the
law. (Bitterlemons-international)
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