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Opportunity in Gaza By Haaretz Editorial Tags: Hamas, Gaza, Egypt, Israel The closure imposed a year ago on the Gaza Strip by Israel and Egypt was effectively lifted yesterday after hundreds of thousands of Gazans overran the Egyptian border. According to United Nations reports, about 20 percent of Gaza's population crossed into the Egyptian side of Rafah on foot and in cars after explosives were used to destroy about two-thirds of the border barrier overnight Tuesday. The likelihood of a few hundred Egyptian soldiers being able to prevent the entry of hundreds of thousands of people was small, even if the Egyptians had wanted to protect their border using force, as they had the previous day. Now that the barrier is down, it is hard to imagine that the situation in Gaza can be restored to its previous state. Even if Egypt closes the border again, it will be forced to reopen it, at least partially, whenever there is pressure. The Egyptians cannot maintain permanently the total closure that they decided on a year ago, after Hamas came to power in the Strip. President Hosni Mubarak has made it clear that he will permit Gazans to buy food and that he cannot shut his eyes to their suffering. An Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesman said the border will be closed again but refuted Israeli claims that Egypt is responsible for what happens in Gaza. The Israeli Foreign Ministry issued a statement that was the opposite of the Egyptian claims and stated that Egypt is responsible for ensuring that the border operates properly. Advertisement The contradictory announcements by the Israeli and Egyptian foreign ministries demonstrate that both parties feel that a definitive, perhaps strategic, change is taking place in the Strip and want to restore the situation to what it had been. It is doubtful this can be done. The closure of Gaza did not stop the Qassams, but now there are worrying signs that it could damage Israel's relations with Egypt unless both countries' leaderships are not careful in their responses. The crisis in Rafah was apparently not foreseen by the best of Israel's policy makers. Now, after it has happened, it is worth using the crisis to set policies that are more creative than assassinations and starvation and to try to avoid becoming fixated on the usual, predictable responses and on laying blame in all directions. The Egyptians could now become the unwitting leaders in finding an agreed-on solution. This could be the time to assert joint responsibility for the border crossings, with the participation of the Palestinian government and international organizations. Hamas used the closure to create sympathy for the people of Gaza. The destruction of the border barrier is also perceived as a legitimate prison break. A statesmanlike response is now needed to turn the crisis into an opportunity. Because none of the players is on its own and the parties' interests are interwoven, one can hope that Egypt and Israel, with help from the international community, can create new facts on the ground. If there is a moderate leadership that can be relied on, and if Mubarak and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas are part of it, then this is the moment they need to cooperate and put themselves in the forefront. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Dear Mr. Olmert An American yeshiva student asks Olmert to heed secular Israelis on J'lem's fate. Work stoppage Olmert totally freezes new building in all West Bank settlements.

Today Online High Court of Justice to hold urgent hearing on Gaza blockade Responses: 406 Gaza source: Hamas planned border wall blast for months Responses: 185 Canada to skip UN racism meet due to 'anti-Semitism' Responses: 215 PM completely freezes new construction in W. Bank settlements Responses: 85 Rami Livni: Bi-national state would only perpetuate suffering Responses: 53 More Headlines 01:25 Policeman killed, 4 hurt in two W. Bank terror attacks 02:57 IAF strike kills two militants in south Gaza town of Rafah 02:47 Defense officials say Hamas planning to launch attacks from Sinai 23:59 Israeli mission in N.Y. displays 4,200 balloons for each Qassam 20:32 Livni: Sanctions can bring an end to Iranian nuclear program 19:35 Yad Vashem launches Arabic Web site to combat Holocaust denial 22:45 Olmert, Abbas set to meet in Jerusalem, discuss Gaza crisis Sunday 00:06 Ambassador vs. Ambassador: Is Obama good for Israel? 23:22 Israeli, Palestinian leaders mull peace prospects at Davos 18:51 PM completely freezes new construction in W. Bank settlements 20:50 Olmert: I didn't tell Vice Premier Ramon to praise my decisions 16:46 Arab League chief: Israeli policy is destroying peace process 18:28 Gaza overlooked by U.S. voters; economy dominates race Previous Editions Select Day 24 jan 23 jan 22 jan 21 jan 20 jan 18 jan 17 jan 16 jan 15 jan 14 jan 13 jan 11 jan

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