No to state sponsored assassination

Look, I deplore terrorists as much as anyone. But state sponsored assassination, while it obviously happens and is just part of the reality of international relations, is simply not something we should countenance or practice. Period. And countries that practice it routinely, like Russia, and, it has to be said, Israel, should be condemned when they do it. Even when the victim is someone as awful as Hamas leader Haniyeh. 

The de facto genocide in Gaza outstrips this event many times over, (as does, of course, the initial murderous attack of October 7 2023, but two wrongs don't make a right). And, I emphasize, this, too, is a reason why the US should not be giving unrestrained support for the right wing regime in Israel. I realize it's a politically tricky and divisive issue, but, as a matter of principle, this conduct must be condemned. If for no other reason, because the ramifications are almost entirely negative and merely reinforce a cycle of violence, attacks, recrimination, and retribution.