Israeli capital joyous after 'historic' US operation

The killing of Osama bin Laden has been the subject of conversation here since Hebrew and English news channels started flashing the news. Be it a five-star hotel or the India-type mandis or the Bugrashow and Yerushalayim beaches, people were discussing the US operation, terming it historic one, a trend-setter for the fight against terrorism.

There was open hailing of the killing, a mood set from the top, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu telling TV channels the US operation was a “resounding victory for justice, freedom, and the values shared by all democratic countries fighting shoulder to shoulder against terror”.

So it was at student-dominated sidewalks, cyber cafes and shops. An engineering student told this reporter: “Israel has been an important ally and the killing will send a tough message for forces engaged in terrorism.” A shopkeeper in his 60s said it was a great moment for the free world and for Israel. A youth at a cyber cafe recalled the Al-Qaida chief’s call for a jihad against Israel.

The Israeil establishment out its gladness on record. President Shimon Peres, calling bin Laden “one of the biggest murderers in history”, said he had got his sentence, thanks to a “great achievement” by the US defence establishment. Prime Minister Netanyahu, congratulating both US President Barack Obama and American soldiers, said “The State of Israel shares the joy of the American people on this historical day, that of bin Laden’s ouster.”