Thanks, Prof. Cole, for giving us readers a thorough analysis of the Egyptian angle on the Gaza problem. I wonder if you could devote a blog entry sometime to possible mid and long scenarios for the Gaza strip itself.
I was surprised on reading the latest UN Security Council statement, to see it explicitly espouses a two-state solution for a resolution of the Palestinian issue. I could imagine that if (by some miracle) Jewish settlements disappeared from the West Bank, and if (by some miracle) Israeli soldiers departed, and if (by some miracle) the new Palestinian state were allowed to build up armed forces sufficient to defend itself, then a viable Palestinian state might grow up on the West Bank.
The situation in Gaza seems different. I presume it will always be separated from the West Bank, otherwise Israel would be split in two. As a small enclave, it would always be susceptible to intimidation from Israel, who could easily revoke work permits or cut the link to the West Bank. In fact, it would not be hard to imagine a situation where a group with some links to the Gaza strip sets off a couple of car bombs in Israel, which then replies in the usual fashion: bombing any airport in Gaza, closing all borders and putting the people of Gaza back on the Israeli calorie ration. Statehood, without a credible armed force to back it, would not help the people in Gaza one iota.
Why, then, should the people in Gaza beg to be allowed to take part in talks about talks about a possible Palestinian state in the indefinite future that would not help them in their precarious position vis-à-vis the Israelis? I see that in the latest blockade the Israelis have acted as if Gaza waters are Israeli waters -- one of the many ways Israel acts as if it owns the occupied territories. Would it not be better for the Palestinians in Gaza to argue: yes, Israelis, you own us, so we must be part of Israel. Now tear down the border posts and give us our seats in the Knesset.
And how will this pan out with Egypt? This flotilla would not have been necessary if the Egyptian-Gaza border were open. Surely, there will be enormous pressure from the Egyptian public and other countries in the region for them to end their complicity in the blockade.
Egypt's lifting of the Blockade likely Temporary
Thanks, Prof. Cole, for giving us readers a thorough analysis of the Egyptian angle on the Gaza problem. I wonder if you could devote a blog entry sometime to possible mid and long scenarios for the Gaza strip itself.
I was surprised on reading the latest UN Security Council statement, to see it explicitly espouses a two-state solution for a resolution of the Palestinian issue. I could imagine that if (by some miracle) Jewish settlements disappeared from the West Bank, and if (by some miracle) Israeli soldiers departed, and if (by some miracle) the new Palestinian state were allowed to build up armed forces sufficient to defend itself, then a viable Palestinian state might grow up on the West Bank.
The situation in Gaza seems different. I presume it will always be separated from the West Bank, otherwise Israel would be split in two. As a small enclave, it would always be susceptible to intimidation from Israel, who could easily revoke work permits or cut the link to the West Bank. In fact, it would not be hard to imagine a situation where a group with some links to the Gaza strip sets off a couple of car bombs in Israel, which then replies in the usual fashion: bombing any airport in Gaza, closing all borders and putting the people of Gaza back on the Israeli calorie ration. Statehood, without a credible armed force to back it, would not help the people in Gaza one iota.
Why, then, should the people in Gaza beg to be allowed to take part in talks about talks about a possible Palestinian state in the indefinite future that would not help them in their precarious position vis-à-vis the Israelis? I see that in the latest blockade the Israelis have acted as if Gaza waters are Israeli waters -- one of the many ways Israel acts as if it owns the occupied territories. Would it not be better for the Palestinians in Gaza to argue: yes, Israelis, you own us, so we must be part of Israel. Now tear down the border posts and give us our seats in the Knesset.
World Body Demands release of Aid Activists, Ships
My last comment has become superfluous: Egypt opens border with Gaza following IDF raid on Gaza flotilla
And how will this pan out with Egypt? This flotilla would not have been necessary if the Egyptian-Gaza border were open. Surely, there will be enormous pressure from the Egyptian public and other countries in the region for them to end their complicity in the blockade.