The Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy (MIFTAH) strongly condemns Israel’s assassination attempt of a Hamas leader in Gaza today, and cautions against Sharon’s blatant efforts to sabotage Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbass’ efforts for peace.

Shortly after midday on Tuesday 10 June 2003, Israeli helicopter gun ships fired approximately 7 rockets at a vehicle carrying Abdel-Aziz Al-Rantisi, Hamas’ top leader in Gaza, in an apparent assassination attempt at Rantisi’s life.

In the attack, a Palestinian woman and a child were instantly killed, and 27 other bystanders were injured. Rantisi himself escaped with light injuries.

This attack comes at a time when international efforts, particularly those of the U.S. and President George W. Bush personally, are focused on establishing calm in the region and resuming Palestinian-Israeli peace talks.

Israel’s policy of assassinating Palestinian political leaders is a grave violation of international law, and a direct blow to any efforts for peace. It constitutes a great danger for the prospects of the ‘roadmap’ and threatens to provoke more violence and fuel an already volatile situation.

Israel’s timing in this assassination attempt clearly reflects Ariel Sharon’s lack of commitment and will to the current peace efforts, and violates the spirit of the recent peace summit in Aqaba, Jordan.

MIFTAH seriously cautions against the Israeli government’s blatant attempts at diverting attention from the current peace efforts by provoking more Palestinian responses to Israel’s assaults against the Palestinians. MIFTAH calls on the international community, in particular the U.S. as peace broker, to take swift action in condemning the attack and holding Israel accountable for its illegal and provocative actions.

What happened in Gaza today shatters the hopes of both the Palestinian and Israeli people, and guarantees the continuation of more bloodshed.