The Wire

This week, the Israeli army assassinated Shiek Ahmed Yassin, the wheel-chair bound spiritual leader of terrorist group Hamas, as he left his mosque following morning prayers. As the world debates the pros and cons of this unilateral action, there are concerns that the fragile movements for peace within the region will be damaged by the move. This report by Erica Vowles, voices the feelings of two people, one Israeli one Palestinian, who are both working for peaceful solutions to the conflict. It begins with comments from Mustafa Barghouti, the secretary general of the Palestinian National Initiative, a democratic opposition movement. Mustafa claims this latest assassination is an effort by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to hamper non-violent initiatives in Palestine. Erica also talks to Arik Diamant, the Director of Copurage to Refuse, an organisation that represents Israeli reserve soldiers opposed to serving in the occupied Palestinian Territories.

Courage to Refuse
More on the Palestinian National Initiative