Israeli Security Official Calls for "Hunting Down" Hamas

In this story, we find an inadequate and unproductive reponse to the victory of Hamas in the recent Palestinian elections. If Israel wants Hamas to tone down their anti-Israeli rhetoric, then they must distance themselves from policies and statements like this. At the same time, I hope President Bush or one of his subordinates condemns such statements.

According to Reuters:

The architect of Israel's policy of assassinating Palestinian militants said on Sunday Israel should hunt down wanted Hamas leaders even if they become ministers in a newly elected Palestinian government.

Avi Dichter, who used to head the Shin Bet security agency and is seen as a frontrunner for a top security post after Israel's March 28 general election, said he doubted Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas would remain in power, except as a "puppet leader", following Hamas's election victory. [my emphasis]

Note that this man will probably be in the next Israeli government after elections there in March.