(Wall Street Journal Europe) Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman - 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 has compelled Israel to take appropriate actions to protect 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. Weaponry, money and personnel are constantly being smuggled into Gaza, which has been ruled by Iranian-backed Hamas since its coup against Fatah in 2007. The unconditional removal of Israel's defensive measures would only help Hamas' military build-up. If the EU wishes to genuinely address the problem, it should contemplate stationing an effective European or international force along the Philadelphi Corridor and at the Rafiah Crossing. 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' seizure of power in Gaza. I can affirm that a cessation of the smuggling will lead to the lifting of restrictions.
2011-01-11 11:44:52Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive