Let us speculate
Let's say you're in a war. And let's you and your opponent identify with your respective sides of the struggle based on your religion. And let's say after some fifty years you've decided you're serious about negotiating a peace settlement.
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan condemned the attack, saying it was against international law and did nothing to further the Middle East peace process.
UK Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said the killing was "unjustified" and "very unlikely to achieve its objective".
France also joined in the condemnation, and European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana said it was "very, very bad news" for the peace process.
In the United States, the Bush administration has said it was "deeply troubled" by the killing, and US officials have denied any advance knowledge of Israeli plans to target the Hamas leader.
But the Americans refused to condemn the killing outright, appealing instead for calm and restraint.
Sheikh Yassin was leaving a mosque in Gaza's Sabra district in his wheelchair with an entourage when they were attacked by Israeli helicopter gunships at dawn on Monday.
Would you kill one of the leaders of the side you're supposed to be making peace with on the doorstep of one of their temples?
