After Rafah, Israel should open West Bank crossings
The return of normal life to Gaza might encourage its citizens to put the brakes on terror. More importantly, the opening of the crossing will clearly show that Israel has decided to disengage from Gaza and abandon its all-but-direct occupation.
Haaretz EditorialEgypt's decision to open the Rafah crossing to people raised great apprehension in Israel, as expected. The immediate concern is that the opening of the crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt will allow Hamas and other groups to bring in an unlimited supply of weapons.
Ostensibly, that's a persuasive claim, though four years of closure haven't prevented the passage of weapons into Gaza or the manufacture of missiles there, nor have they prevented terror attacks on Israel. Reports by defense officials that Hamas has amassed large quantities of advanced missiles are proof of that. Meanwhile, Cairo has hastened to make clear that goods will not be allowed through the crossing, and it may be assumed that Egypt is not encouraging the stockpiling of weapons in Gaza.
Along with security concerns, Israel's fury seems to stem from the fact that the opening of the crossing scuttles its vengeful and cruel closure policy. That policy did nothing at all to free captured soldier Gilad Shalit, nor has it encouraged a Palestinian uprising against Hamas, as Israel had hoped. Rather, it has turned Gaza into the world's biggest prison, led to terrible human tragedies and sowed deep desperation among the people.
That policy created the deep divide with Turkey and pulverized Israel's image worldwide. Egypt's cooperation with the closure created the false impression that Israel's policy had Arab support. But Egyptian citizens frequently protested the closure, and the opening of the crossing reflects the new regime's desire, if only temporarily, to draw a line between itself and the previous ruler, Hosni Mubarak, and to respond positively to the new wind blowing in Egyptian society.
The opening of the Rafah crossing is above all an important humanitarian gesture. As such, Israel should follow suit and open the crossings from the West Bank to Israel. The return of normal life to Gaza might encourage its citizens to put the brakes on terror. More importantly, the opening of the crossing will clearly show that Israel has decided to disengage from Gaza and abandon its all-but-direct occupation. But even without these strategic calculations, it's the human aspect that should guide the Israeli government.
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"The return of normal life to Gaza might encourage its citizens to put the brakes on terror." Inftifda II started when the Palestinian economy was booming
the sea and air blockades come to an end.
Since when has that been the case? The conflict has nothing to do with living conditions. It's national, political, religious even... Or do you agree with Bibi about "economic peace"?
Unfortunately, opening the crossings into the '48 and easing the lives of the Palestinian citizen's is not on the agenda.
If only the Israeli government would heed Haaretz's assessment of the situation. The best way to insure the moderate evolution already shown by the Hamas government in Gaza is to open the borders to goods, people and trade between Gaza and the West Bank. Reconciliation and hope-building need material support.
I fully agree with the idea that Israel should open the West Bank crossing. This makes Palestinian think only in trade and tourims such as before the Intifada.
I fully agree with the idea that Israel should open the West Bank crossing. This makes Palestinian think only in trade and tourims such as before the Intifada.
The idea that thecAllenby Bridge crossing is the only way out of the country for the whole of the West Bank is ludicrous. In the summer the Allenby Bridge is unbelievably cammed in both directons. Anyone widhing to travel to anywhere in the world has to leave by this route - not only those going to Jordan. Israel has closed its airport to Palestinians and should therefore allow other exits, such as the bridge near Nablus, to open. Better still, give us backour own airport in Kalandia!
Bad enough Egypt is helping Hamas. So now you are advocating that Israel also help Hamas by opening the crossing without any price paid by Hamas to release Shalit. At least Egypt extracted a price by forcing Hamas to allow elections that favor Fatah. If Israel opens Erez, Fatah will lose any advantage they had by pointing to the hard life that Hamas policies resulted in.
The Israeli siege of Gaza devastated the Gaza economy and reduced most Gazans to pauperhood. The intended effect was to get the Gazans to overthrow Hamas. It didn't work. The unintended consequence was the "flotilla" problem, where many activists worldwide are bringing the Gaza economic situation to the world's attention. With the opening of the Rafah crossing by Egypt, Gazans will be able to come and go, but will not be able to import raw material and export their manufactured goods. As long as the Gaza economy suffers, Israel will suffer too. Of course, Israel will do nothing about it, and give everybody great reasons for this self-defeating decision. I hope the Flotilla fever will be reduced sufficiently by Egypt's action, but if the Gaza economy remains tough, the flotillas will keep coming.
The Jewish people, especially in America, historically have championed the oppressed and worked and marched alongside people like Martin Luther King for civil rights for African Americans and it is Jews who have been in the vanguard for equal rights for women and minorities, for universal health care and much more. As an American Jew watching the news and seeing the photo's of the men, women and children leaving Gaza for Egypt at the Rafah crossing it made me ashamed that a Jewish nation was doing to another people what was once done to the Jews. I cannot understand how any religious Jew in Israel can accept the blockade and siege of another people. Yes, weapons cannot be allowed but locking the Palestinians in the giant prison cell of Gaza is not only inhumane, it's not the way Jews should behave.
The Jewish people, especially in America, historically have championed the oppressed and worked and marched alongside people like Martin Luther King for civil rights for African Americans and it is Jews who have been in the vanguard for equal rights for women and minorities, for universal health care and much more. As an American Jew watching the news and seeing the photo's of the men, women and children leaving Gaza for Egypt at the Rafah crossing it made me ashamed that a Jewish nation was doing to another people what was once done to the Jews. I cannot understand how any religious Jew in Israel can accept the blockade and siege of another people. Yes, weapons cannot be allowed but locking the Palestinians in the giant prison cell of Gaza is not only inhumane, it's not the way Jews should behave.