One from the Guardian, the other from the (London) Times . Guess which is which.

Here’s one: “Sheikh Ahmed Yassin was the spiritual and political leader of the Palestinian militant group Hamas. At the turn of the millennium this organisation gained infamy as one of the most savage organisations in the Middle East, responsible for a wave of suicide bombings that led to the death of countless civilians.

“Confined to a wheelchair and speaking in small squeaks, Yassin had the demeanour of a fragile, pious sage. Yet he was possessed with an unswerving ruthlessness. His fanaticism inspired sacrificial devotion among men willing to kill civilians in the cause of the destruction of Israel. “

And here’s another: “In truth, neither Arafat nor Yassin had Mandela’s special greatness. But of the two, it was Yassin, the founder-leader of the militant Islamist organisation Hamas, who came closer. The reason was not to be found in his beliefs – which, in their narrow, obscurantist, religious frame, were far removed from the South African’s lofty humanism and compassion – but in the facts of his career, and the part that certain, very personal, qualities – of selflessness, simplicity, conviction and a true sense of service – played in bringing it to fruition.”

Via blogger Scott Burgess.