(Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies/Tel Aviv University) Meir Litvak - Sheikh Yassin was prepared to accept the continuing presence of Jews as a client population in the Islamic state destined to arise in place of Israel, whereas Rantisi repeatedly declared that peace could only come after the Jews had all returned to their countries of origin. Rantisi also claimed that the comparison of Zionists with Nazis was an insult to the Nazis. It is therefore difficult to imagine how any successor could adopt a more extreme position. What really encouraged the further radicalization of Hamas was the feeling, reinforced by Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon in June 2000, that Israel always folds under pressure. Hamas has portrayed Prime Minister Sharon's decision to withdraw from Gaza as a victory for its long-standing political-military line. Rantisi was long considered the PA's toughest rival. His disappearance may make it easier for others who want to turn Hamas into the dominant political force in Gaza by infiltrating Palestinian government institutions.
2004-04-23 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive