MAY 28, 2011
We welcome the newly "democratic" and peace loving Egypt. Globe and Mail:
Egypt has opened wide its border crossing with the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, easing the blockade that had been imposed on the territory by Israel and Egypt for the past four years.While people and trucks have been allow to pass through the Rafah crossing for several hours most weeks ever since the overthrow of Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak in February, Saturday's move will have the crossing open every day but Friday and with fewer restriction of who can pass through.Israeli officials have expressed concern that unrestricted access could mean the entry into Gaza of weapons and military personnel intended to strengthen the Hamas authorities.
The Egyptians say they will still ban weapons from crossing the border but that's just window dressing. Besides, as Israeli security experts point out, sending military trainers into Gaza is as good as sending arms. Teaching terrorists how to blow people up is just as good as a sneaking in a couple of hundred assault rifles.
Aren't you glad our promotion of democracy in Egypt is working out so well?
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FRIDAY, MAY 27, 2011
27-May-11: Question to flotilla heroes: Do you know where Rafah is?
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| Crowds waiting at Rafah Crossing |
Israeli and American officials said yesterday they were pressing Egypt to ensure that the opening of its border with Gaza does not enable the Hamas militant group to move weapons and militants into the Palestinian territory. The diplomatic efforts were underway after Egypt announced it was permanently opening its Rafah border crossing with Gaza... Israel and Egypt have maintained a blockade of Gaza since Hamas violently seized power four years ago. But since President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt was toppled in February, the country’s caretaker government has distanced itself from Israel and moved closer to the Palestinians. Israeli defense officials said that since the upheaval of Mubarak’s ouster, Egypt has all but halted its efforts to stop weapons smuggling through tunnels along the Gaza border. They fear that the expanded crossings at Rafah will make it even easier to get arms and fighters into the Hamas-controlled territory. Israel has long insisted on careful monitoring of people and goods entering Gaza for security reasons.
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| The crossing itself: re-opening after four years |
Yes, if it's about humanitarian rescue since Gaza's border will be open on the Egyptian side from Saturday. And no, if the real purpose of their flotilla is to cause damage to Israel and actually has little or nothing to do with humanitarian concerns.
Either way, we wish them happy shopping [25-May-11: Gaza is a disaster etc. Just don't ignore the bargains].
Note:
Reposting Ron Mossad's video, as I can see "Living on a Thin Line" is a perfect description of the Middle East and now, Egypt opening its borders to Hamas Palestinians at the Gaza/Egypt border. .... I give it a few months and there will no longer be a need for Hamas digging tunnels - they will simply truck their weapons into Gaza through Egypt's border and the West, wide-eyed and shocked will say, "Gee, we told them not to do that!!" ... as though terrorists lived to please those who seek peace.
