compilation of various news articles
DW-World
March 22, 2004
Meeting in Brussels on Monday, EU foreign ministers reacted to Israel's assassination of Hamas spiritual leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin with sharp criticism, saying such actions only contribute to the cycle of violence...
All of the ministers condemned the attack, saying it was against international law and such actions would do little to bring peace to the troubled region. An official statement released by the EU appealed to both sides to exercise restraint...
Israel undermines international law
But the EU had hard harsh words for Israel over the killing...
In an unusually harsh condemnation, Solana said although Israel had the right to defend itself, its actions broke international law. "Israel has no right to carry out extra-judicial killings," he said in a statement endorsed by EU foreign ministers.Yassin's murder "inflamed the situation" and violence "is no substitute for the political negotiations which are necessary for a just and lasting settlement," they said.
Jack Straw, the British foreign secretary, was equally stern in his assessment. "It is unacceptable, it is unjustified and it is unlikely to achieve its objective, " said Straw. Meanwhile, German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer appealed for calm. "Everything must be done so that further escalation can be avoided," he said.
But it was probably the Polish foreign minister Wlodzimierz Cimoszewicz who hit the nail on the head when he bluntly stated, "I understand that Israel is defending its own country, but the picture of a person in a wheelchair with a rocket... this is no way to promote Israel's security."
Scotsman
March 22, 2004
Dutch government condemns Hamas leader's killing
Expatica
March 22, 2004
Britain leads condemnation of killing
The Age
March 22, 2004
Chirac condemns Israel's killing of Hamas leader
EUbusiness
March 22, 2004
Norway condemns killing of Hamas leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin
Norway.org
March 22, 2004
Europe and U.S. Respond Differently to Killing of Sheik
The New York Times
March 22, 2004
The United States and foreign reaction to the assassination underscored a persistent gap between the Bush administration and many European leaders.
The Guardian
March 22, 2004
Portuguese president condemns assassination of Yassin
China View
March 23, 2004
EU condemns "extra-judicial killing" of Yassin
Reuters
March 23, 2004
Europe flays Israel for Yassin's 'murder'
The Times of India
March 23, 2004
International Outrage at Yassin's Death
Moscow Times
March 23, 2004
European Leaders Condemn Yassin Killing
Fox News
March 22, 2004
Arab, European leaders deplore Yassin's killing
The Hindu
March 22, 2004
Vatican slams Sheik slaying
Herald Sun
March 23, 2004
Arafat condemns killing
News 24.com
March 22, 2004
World blasts Yassin killing
The Jerusalem Post
March 22, 2004
World leaders condemn Yassin assassination
Times Online
March 22, 2004
Annan condemns Yassin killing; U.N. Council consults
Reuters
March 22, 2004
CAIR Condemns Israeli Assassination of Religious Leader
Yahoo News
March 22, 2004
Yassin assassination praised by Right, criticized by Left
Israel Insider
March 22, 2004
Bush Defends Israel, Takes Hamas Threat Seriously
Reuters
March 23, 2004
President Bush on Tuesday defended Israel's right to defend itself...
Yahoo News
March 24, 2004
Sheikh Yassin's 'Happiest Day'
Media outlets perpetuate four myths about the late Hamas leader
HonestReporting.com
March 23, 2004
