Israel Matzav

Lieberman tries to call Europe's bluff

The European Union recently issued a paper called "Conclusions on the Middle East Peace Process," which called for an "immediate, sustained and unconditional opening of crossings" to and from Gaza. Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman tries to call their bluff.

The unconditional removal of Israel's defensive measures would be counterproductive and only help Hamas's military build-up, which continues largely at the behest of Iran. Moreover, if the crossings were unconditionally opened, Iran will immediately take advantage of this situation through its proxies such as Hamas and Hezbollah. These terrorist groups will be able to destabilize the Palestinian Authority in Judea and Samaria. Such a demand is irresponsible, immoral and unjustified.

The EU also seems to ignore the plight of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. Kidnapped by Hamas more than four years ago, he remains cut off from the world and his family. To this day, not even the Red Cross has been allowed to visit him, in utter disregard of the most fundamental humanitarian principles. Rather than pressing for Gilad Shalit's release and searching for ways to effectively stem the flow of weapons, the EU is pressuring Israel to rescind the necessary restrictions.

As existing and previous attempts to stanch the smuggling have clearly failed, a different approach needs to be considered. If the EU wishes to genuinely address the source of the problem, it should contemplate stationing an effective European or international force along the Philadelphi Corridor and at the Rafiah Crossing, the Egyptian-Gaza border areas under which most of the tunnels for weapons smuggling into Gaza have been built. To elicit a change in the situation, such a force would have to be robust in both operational capabilities and mandate and willing to confront Hamas. We cannot allow a return to the ineffective EUBAM mission, which unilaterally vacated its positions at the Rafiah Crossing upon Hamas's seizure of power in Gaza.

I can affirm that a cessation of the smuggling will lead to the lifting of restrictions. However, the State of Israel cannot be expected to forgo its fundamental security interests without the removal of this grave threat and the ongoing assault against Israeli towns that it continues to fuel.

Yes, but....

Do we really want another 'international force' on our border, which will just be in the IDF's way and will run away the second they are called on to do anything (as happened when Hamas threw Fatah out of Gaza in 2007)?

And even if you assume that an 'international force' can be effective (which Lieberman does), why should we completely open the crossings without Gilad Shalit's release?

Third, even if the smuggling stops, do we really want open borders to allow terrorists in from Hamastan?

Fortunately, the Europeans hate us only slightly less than they are scared of Hamas, and therefore they are likely to flee the second they are asked to put their money where their collective mouth is. But if Lieberman actually believes that what he's proposing is plausible, we have bigger problems than just needing to answer the Europeans.

Labels: Avigdor Lieberman, EUBAM Rafah, Gilad Shalit, Hamas, Philadelphi corridor

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 12:07 PM