IMRA
Weekly Commentary
25 August '11
Fact: The only way we can effectively put a halt to the terror operations organized from the Gaza Strip is to retake the Philadelphi Corridor with a workable width instead of 100 meters separating between Sinai and the Gaza Strip..
Some quick answers to the arguments for postponing the move:
Argument #1: We should not act before the elections in Egypt as it would undermine our relations with the temporary military regime controlling the country.
Counter argument #1: We should act before the elections in Egypt when the temporary military regime is still controlling the country since we are clueless as to who will be in charge in Egypt after the elections. It could very well be considerably more dangerous for Israel-Egypt relations to re-take the Philadelphi Corridor after the elections in Egypt.
Argument #2: We should wait until after September developments with the Palestinians.
Counter argument #2: Today the Gaza Strip is inside Israel’s security envelope and Gaza is not a sovereign entity. The potential diplomatic and other consequences of re-taking the Philadelphi Corridor after the declaration of a sovereign Palestinian state are magnitudes more dangerous and complicated than today.
Argument #3: We should wait until we have more Iron Dome batteries in place.
Counter argument #3: Already today the range and quantity of the Palestinian rockets is such that they can readily target areas not covered by the additional Iron Dome batteries slated. Postponing this operation only makes it easier for the Palestinians to try to keep pace with Israeli defense measures.
Retreating from the Philadelphi Corridor was a terrible mistake in judgment for which we have paid dearly, The time has come to correct this costly error.
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Retaking the Corridor, which is now in Egyptian and Hamas hands might be a good idea but in many ways it is a terrible idea because it would mean Israel invading Gaza and conquering Egyptian territory. The Sharon Disengagement which abandoned the Corridor to the enemy was a terrible security mistake which was roundly criticized at the time by responsible Israelis, but it is now a fait accompli which no Israeli government is going to risk violating the cold peace treaty, and possibly initiating a real shooting war with Egypt in order to correct.
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