Israel's targeting terrorist leaders in order to thwart attacks against its citizens continues to draw criticism around the world. Some of it, of course, is from those who are acting viscerally out of a deep anti-Israel or anti-Jewish animus. But there are some who are disturbed over the fact that those marked by Israel have not been convicted in a court of law, and that Israel sometimes operates in territory under the jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority to get at them. What followed last week's helicopter attack against suspected terrorists should be illuminating. One Raed al-Karmi survived the attack and here is part of last Friday's New York Times report on the incident:
The Israeli Army said that it had tried to kill Raed al-Karmi in retaliation for his attacks on Israeli citizens and to pre-empt future attacks. But as her recovered from his wounds on a sofa in a clinic this afternoon, Mr. Karmi sounded unrepentant and undeterred. “I will continue my efforts to kill soldiers and settlers,” he said… His left eye, right hand and feet covered with bandages, Mr. Karmi, a lanky 26-year-old, fielded calls on a cell phone as well-wishers and two guards with AK-47's crowded around him. Garlanded with plastic lilies, a large photograph of Mr. Arafat stood on a table by his head.
Among other killings, Mr. Karmi is accused of kidnapping and shooting two Tel Aviv restaurateurs here in January. In the interview, he freely acknowledged taking part in killing the men…
Plainly, Israel was not on a fishing expedition. And for those who would rely on the Palestinian Authority, we haven't heard that Mr. Karmi's celebrity status has been altered in any way.