Search This Blog

Thursday 13 January 2011

Europe's Irresponsible Gaza Policy

The unconditional removal of Israel's defensive measures would only help Hamas's military build-up.

By AVIGDOR LIBERMAN

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703667904576071302605456360.html

January 11, 2011

In the past nine years, Palestinian terrorists in Gaza have launched more than 11,000 rockets and mortars at towns in southern Israel. This extraordinary situation, unlike anywhere in Europe, has compelled Israel to take appropriate actions to fulfill what is any government's primary duty: the protection of its citizens. I have no doubt that any other country would have employed similar, if not more extreme, measures to fight a threat of this magnitude.
The root of the problem lies in the weaponry, money and personnel that are constantly being smuggled into the Gaza Strip through tunnels that have been burrowed underneath the border separating Gaza from the Sinai Peninsula. The Gaza Strip has been ruled by the Iranian-backed Hamas since its coup d'état against Fatah in 2007. The aggression and terrorism of the Hamas regime is the reason the government led by former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert instituted the restrictions on Gaza in 2007 and was compelled to conduct the defensive Operation Cast Lead in 2008.
In light of these facts, the European Union's recent "Conclusions on the Middle East Peace Process" calling for an "immediate, sustained and unconditional opening of crossings" to and from Gaza are puzzling and unlikely to assist efforts toward progress in our region. It confuses the source of the current problem with one of its symptoms.This is unfortunate, because there is much that the EU and Israel can jointly do to improve the current state of affairs.
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.
The State of Israel and the EU have a joint interest in the emergence of a regime in Gaza that will recognize Israel and prior signed agreements and which will completely desist from terrorism. Such an outcome will come about solely through development and economic growth. Israel and Europe should enhance their cooperation in stemming the flow of weapons and in promoting economic development in Gaza, in a manner similar to what we are witnessing in Judea and Samaria (the West Bank).
Economic growth and the consistent rise in the standard of living among the inhabitants of Judea and Samaria are living proof of fruitful cooperation between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. With improvements in the security situation in Judea and Samaria, Israel relaxed the security measures and enhanced the mobility of the Palestinian population. Over the past year, more than two-thirds of the road-blocks have been removed. The Palestinians made the most of these new conditions. Their economy is booming and tourism to the area has witnessed a dramatic increase. This basic pattern can serve as a model for Gaza.
During the past year, the Israeli government has taken courageous steps designed to modify and improve the economic environment in Gaza. There has been a substantial increase in the quantities and variety of products and there are mechanisms in place to facilitate the sale of Gaza products abroad. In addition, our government is promoting infrastructure projects with third parties such as European countries, the United States and United Nations agencies.
I believe that close coordination between the EU and Israel can bring about a greater change in Gaza, both with respect to the regime in control and with respect to the standard of living. Such coordination will have to include an effective response to the weapons smuggling and a steadfast stance against Hamas and other terrorist organizations.
Mr. Liberman is deputy prime minister and foreign minister of Israel.

No comments:

Post a Comment