Let's Talk About The "Other" Gaza Blockade

Daled Amos
06 August '10

As we would expect, the media and the "human rights activists" focus on the restrictions Israel has imposed on Gaza--while ignoring the fact that Egypt does the same thing.

Frida Ghitis, of World Politics Review, attempts to address this imbalance:

The Egyptian government finds itself in a most uncomfortable position. The blockade of Gaza is usually described as an Israeli operation. In reality, both Israel and Egypt have declared that the territory is under a naval blockade. Similarly, land crossings into Gaza are severely restricted by both governments. As an Arab country, Egypt finds it extremely awkward to act as a full participant in the embargo of Gaza, which is widely reviled throughout the Arab world. But Cairo nevertheless finds it necessary to endure the discomfort.

Israel says it restricts what products go into Gaza as a way to prevent the construction and firing of rockets, which Hamas has launched for years at Israeli towns. As for Egypt, critics may charge that Cairo is helping Israel with its dirty work. But the fact is that Egypt is acting in its perceived self-interest, protecting itself from what it sees as the potential threat from Hamas and its allies -- including Iran.

The interaction between the Egyptian government and Hamas is a stiff-armed dance that threatens to break into a fist fight at any time. The two pretend they can pleasantly move together, but occasionally they step on each other's toes, sometimes on purpose. In fact, they would like nothing better than to strangle one another.

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