HAARETZ. «The Yassin assassination was justified, no less so than American assassinations (which have yet to succeed) of Osama bin Laden and his cohorts would be justified. But "justified" does not mean necessary and wise: To say something is 'permitted' does not always mean that it is 'worthwhile.' Yassin did not provide strong arguments in favor of sparing his life; to the contrary, he responded to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's declaration of intent to evacuate settlements and troops from the Gaza Strip by claiming victory, and by continuing the Hamas campaign of terror attacks. His activity undermined the shared Israeli-Palestinian interest in attaining an Israeli majority for the Gaza pull-out, and transfering the region to orderly PA control. Yassin's assassination, however, was not a necessity in terms of thwarting terrorist attacks; and a very high price is likely to be paid for it.» [Haaretz]