I am speechless at the brutal and horrifying Monday morning assassination of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin by the state of Israel as he left a Gaza mosque. The murder of Yassin, a 68-year-old, wheelchair-bound quadriplegic, paralyzed in both arms and legs, represents an unwarranted and reckless escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on the part of the Jewish state. Most gallingly, the attack came just two days after the Sheikh had proposed a landmark peace deal in exchange for Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's withdrawal from Gaza. Governments all across the world, including those of France, Britain, Canada, Egypt and Pakistan, have been appalled at this irrational crime.

It is inconceivable how Sharon's Israel can gain greater security by killing one of the Middle East's most revered clerics and freedom fighters in cold blood. Since his home was lost in the 1948 Arab Israeli War, Yassin had championed the cause of freedom and justice for Palestine. The brutal slaughter of a feeble old man armed with a brave vision of hope will forever remain a stain on Israel's record. Doubtless, hundreds -- if not thousands -- of devoted followers of the martyred Yassin will take up arms against Israel to avenge their leader.

With this irresponsible maneuver, Sharon has succeeded once again in hijacking the peace process so that he can continue, unhindered, his encroachment on the Palestinian territories. America, which remains Israel's greatest financial backer, must show decisive and principled leadership in times of state-sponsored terrorism. The world cannot and must not tolerate the illegal and extrajudicial murder of the late political, religious and spiritual leader of the Palestinians, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin.