The Gaza Siege is Good… for Business in Egypt
As The president of Egypt tours the States talking about many issues including the Palestinian question. And I’m getting into my second month of my visit to Gaza and cannot deny the sad effects of the siege on Gaza. Most aspects of life in Gaza have been negatively affected by this unfair siege. The price of food especially, vegetables and fruits have now surpassed prices in the United States, same thing for clothing, shoes and electronics. While the cost of living in Gaza soared due to the sanction and limitations on the movement of goods, wages and salaries are nowhere near the States. Yes, there are tunnels in Gaza, and they smuggle all sort of things through these tunnels. Items as large as fridges and as small as birthday candles flow through the tunnels to Gaza. But those tunnels only can bring so much and smuggling isn’t the cheapest way to supply a market. Thirty to Forty dollars is the charge to smuggle a bag of goods. While the people of Gaza struggle, the two Palestinian governments watch from the sidelines but claim to be there for the people. The guys in Ramallah help their people in Gaza and the guys in Gaza take care of their own, while the common man is left with nothing. In the meantime the Arab and Muslim nations stand by the people of Gaza but have done little to break the siege. This post does not come easy, in fact this subject I hope to be wrong on. Egyptians have led the fight to break the siege on Gaza but from where I stand the blockade is helping the Egyptian government on so many levels, here is how:
Economically: Goods in Gaza mainly come from Egypt and since Palestinians do not have many choices because the Israelis allow only humanitarian goods into the Strip (flour, sugar, milk, rice…etc.). That leaves plenty of needed material that has a market in Gaza. Items like fans, shirts, razors, shampoo, appliances, certain medications, cookies, potato chips, pencils and school bags, chairs, kitchen ware…etc. In the past these goods used to be imported from various countries such as China and India. Thanks to the embargo, Egypt now is the main supplier of these goods; Egyptian factories are now earning plenty of cash as they provide the needed goods. Egyptian businesses are also making a profit by playing the broker role between the Palestinian buyers and the international vendors. There are those who move the goods to Rafah and those who push it through the tunnels to the Palestinian on the other end. Did I also mention that all those transactions are paid in cash?
It’s Good for Business: If a Palestinian wants to leave Gaza the can be smuggles through a tunnel for the bargain price of two to three hundred dollars. But there is another way. A two thousand dollar pay off to an Egyptian General through his Palestinian front man and you’re on VIP list to get through the gate at the Rafah crossing; even if the crossing point is closed, one will be allowed into the land of milk and honey. This travel clearance even overrides a Hamas veto because they cannot risk angering the Egyptians. I guess this is sort of like the American service offered in select airport for busy travelers where they can skip long security lines by using the express lane for a fee. This is funny because when a Palestinians pointed out this corruption to an Egyptian official, the official suggested he too take advantage of it. Politically, the mess in Gaze serves as a model for not choosing the Islamist oriented policies. For sometime Egypt has tried to convince its people that Islamists are bad for business and bad for regional stability. But most of those arguments fell flat until the Hamas takeover in Gaza in June 2007. Obviously many parties have an interest in seeing Hamas fail to make the point “We might be bad, but they are worse”. Also by playing the broker between the Palestinaina Authority on the West Bank, Hamas in Gaza and Israel, Egypt gains regional credit for their active role in promoting “peace” and Arab unity.
Regional Influence: Hamas wants one thing from Egypt and one thing only—keep the Rafah crossing open as long as possible. Hamas needs it open to keep people in Gaza from protesting the blockade brought upon them by Hamas’ belligerence. Since Hamas needs Egypt, Egypt can afford to ask Hamas favors and get what they want. For example, even though Syria has greater influence on the Hamas leadership, Egypt can meet with the top Hamas officials anytime they want to. Egypt can also get Hamas to change course on issues related to Fatah and issues of national Palestinian unity. In other word, the carrot is the open the Rafah crossing and allowing free movement for the Hamas leadership, the stick is the threatening to close of the border.
I know matters are more complicated than they might sound in this post. For example, due to the spike in demand for Egyptian goods, certain parts of Egypt now have to deal with inflation as a result of the increase in tunnel smugglers. Egyptian fuel is now also smuggled and sold in the Gaza Strip for a price much lower than the Israeli fuel. It’s understandable that in the Egyptian towns adjacent to the Gaza Strip, consumers complain about prices while the smugglers are thriving. Politically, Hamas can compromise on many things. For example, Egypt hasn’t pressed Hamas enough on the kidnapped Israeli soldier. And they also failed to get the Fatah leadership to release Hamas political prisoners in the West Bank. While many people in Palestine see the shortcomings of Egypt and blame that country for the worsening conditions in Gaza; the majority of the Palestinians are smarter than that. The majority of people in Palestine see inter Palestinian strife as the cause of the siege on Gaza and not the Egyptians. They see the Palestinian failure to establish a unity government as the sole cause if the harsh reality of life in Gaza. In the meantime, Israel has it easy. No one is pushing them to negotiate with the Palestinians and no Palestinian is resisting their occupation. No negotiations and no resistance, Israel couldn’t ask for more.
[Tarboush Tip: Eric]
The one phrase missing from this post is "divide and conquer". You allude to it, but it deserves to be said outright. Israel is pushing Abbas to put off elections until 2012. Why? Because as long as Fateh and Hamas are at each other's throats and neither is doing anything for the average person, Israel doesn't have anything to worry about. They have a role and an interest in this being prolonged as long as possible.
You'd think Hamas and Fatah would have smartened up about the whole 'divide and conquer' tactic. It's been in use for at least the past 200 years and it works every time.
So the only reason that HAMAS and Fatah are warring eachother is because the Jews are manipulating them? I wonder how you explain away the comments of people on this blog, re: HAMAS and re: Fatah?
Do your research Craig and learn the facts.
Fatah and the PFLP came as a response to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands, especially after 1967. Fatah has been a ploy of the Israeli government since Oslo. Arafat, Abbas and Fatah have been bought with Israeli money and protection. Just look at 2007 when Israel and the US supplied funds and weapons to Fatah in order to coup a democratically elected government in Gaza.
Everyone (except you) knows that Hamas was a creation of the Israeli government in their attempts to push an Islamist ideology against Fatah.
Just so you know, Israel was also directly involved in the creation of Hezbollah, when the Israelis came into Lebanon in 1982. These fighters were bent on resisting the foreign and murderous occupation of Southern Lebanon during the Lebanese civil war.
I guess from your comment and others, you chose to ignore the past and the present realities.
Right. So, Fatah and other PLO affiliates were "good" while they were murdering Israelis. And Israel was "bad" for believing the lies of HAMAS (and teh Ikwan) that they were only interested in humanitarian measures, and so Israel supported them rather than the ultra-violent PLO. But, after the PLO stepped away from the violence and decided to try to come to terms with the Israelis, they (PLO) became "bad". And coincidentally when HAMAS cranked up the violence to levels never seen before, and Israel opposed that (what a surprise) HAMAS becomes really really good.
And you say this is all the fault of the Jews? And do you also claim Palestinians want peace? Look at who Palestinians decide to back rhetorically, and under what circumstances, and tell me Palestinians want peace. Does the historical record confirm that? And please spare me all the bullshit about PLO corruption. Nobody cared about corruption while the PLO was warring Israel.
Poor Israel was duped by Hamas?
Give me a fucking break! Israel knew exactly what it was doing.
Right. Just like Egyptians know what they've got on their hands with Ikwan, eh?
These fuckers are experts at bullshit. Look how many people right here on this blog pretend that HAMAS is a legitimate charity? Look at all the people here on KABOBfest who tried to claim it shouldn't be illegal for Americans to send money to HAMAS, because they would spend it on schools and shit and would NEVER spend it to kill people. Bullshit. And you implying the people should know better and should see through HAMAS lies is insulting, considering you are one of the people who has been trying to help HAMAS disguise its true nature.
Ikhwan as in Muslim Brotherhood? What's that got to do with anything? They've got different aims and the MB has decided they don't need violence to achieve theirs.
HAMAS is a legitimate political party. It does have a charitable wing (and it also has an armed wing). If donors can make sure any money they give gets to whomever it's meant to, then NO, I don't have any problem with it.
Israel knew from the beginning, that HAMAS's aim was resistance against the occupation – they didn't care, as long as it divided the Palestinians, they were in.
Ikhwan as in Muslim Brotherhood? What's that got to do with anything? They've got different aims and the MB has decided they don't need violence to achieve theirs.
Which is exactly what HAMAS was saying back in the day. And that's why Israel supported them. But it was a lie. Just like Muslim Brotherhood is lying when it says it doesn't propose violence to achieve it's goals. All it takes to make a domesticated Muslim Brother into a free range Muslim Brother is a change in their environment. Somebody would have to be a tremendous fool not to realize that, but in Egypt theer seem to be millions of just that kind of fool.
HAMAS is a legitimate political party.
So is the Muslim Brotherhood. Did you have a point?
If donors can make sure any money they give gets to whomever it's meant to, then NO, I don't have any problem with it.
Again, did you have a point? I pointed out that it was absurd for you to be claiming Israel knew about the violent intent of HAMAS even before they became violent, and used the fact that you yourself try to deny the violence of HAMAS on this blog as proof, and you agree with me? Thanks. So are you withdrawing the allegation you made against Israel for supporting a group it should have known was violent, at time when they were denying advocating violence?
Israel knew from the beginning, that HAMAS's aim was resistance against the occupation – they didn't care, as long as it divided the Palestinians, they were in.
That's nonsense and you know it. The PLO was itself the violent resistance at that time, and HAMAS presented itself as a non-violent alternative to the PLO.
Which is exactly what HAMAS was saying back in the day. And that's why Israel supported them. But it was a lie.
Israel supported them for entirely selfish reasons. They wanted Hamas to act as a counterbalance to Fatah and they helped Islamise the Palestinians. They knew they were playing a dangerous game, which spectacularly backfired when Hamas turned on Israel.
Just like Muslim Brotherhood is lying when it says it doesn't propose violence to achieve it's goals. All it takes to make a domesticated Muslim Brother into a free range Muslim Brother is a change in their environment. Somebody would have to be a tremendous fool not to realize that, but in Egypt theer seem to be millions of just that kind of fool.
The Muslim Brotherhood has been in existence for 80 years. It can use violence and the it certainly have motives for doing so, but they haven't. If they wanted to use violence, they would have done so by now.
I pointed out that it was absurd for you to be claiming Israel knew about the violent intent of HAMAS even before they became violent, and used the fact that you yourself try to deny the violence of HAMAS on this blog as proof, and you agree with me? Thanks. So are you withdrawing the allegation you made against Israel for supporting a group it should have known was violent, at time when they were denying advocating violence?
What? I claimed Israel knew Hamas would never accept Israeli sovereignty over the occupied territories and that getting rid of the occupiers was as much of an aim as their humanitarian efforts. This was (and is) the aim of all Palestinians and Israel's always known this.
…they helped Islamise the Palestinians. They knew they were playing a dangerous game, which spectacularly backfired when Hamas turned on Israel.
Why would that be a "dangerous" game? Isn't Islam a religion of peace? I keep hearing that it is! Are you going on record now dismissing that notion?
If they wanted to use violence, they would have done so by now.
You need to study up on your history a bit, methinks
What? I claimed Israel knew Hamas would never accept Israeli sovereignty over the occupied territories and that getting rid of the occupiers was as much of an aim as their humanitarian efforts. This was (and is) the aim of all Palestinians and Israel's always known this.
Now let me ask you: What?
If that is and always has been the aim of ALL Palestinians, then what precisely are you accusing Israel of in regards to HAMAS?
Why would that be a "dangerous" game? Isn't Islam a religion of peace? I keep hearing that it is! Are you going on record now dismissing that notion?
Funding a group of people that you occupy so they can gain influence in the occupied region, is a 'dangerous game'. Like aiding Al-Qaeda in the 80s was a dangerous game.
You need to study up on your history a bit, methinks
lol. I suppose the Ikhwan has been lying about their commitment to non-violent methods since 1928. After all, it's in the Muslim religion to lie, isn't it?
Now let me ask you: What?
If that is and always has been the aim of ALL Palestinians, then what precisely are you accusing Israel of in regards to HAMAS?
Of using Hamas for it's own gain to try and divide the Palestinians. They knew there was a big possibility of Hamas turning, but they didn't realise that Hamas would become so powerful in the short period. If you play with fire, you get burnt.
And by the way… you didn't disagree with anything else I said?
Of course I do, but there's no point giving the answer if you keep on deluding yourself into thinking it's not true.
Well, that's one way of looking at it. Another way of looking at it is you cherry-picked my comment for the one point you thought you could win on, and hoped the rest would go away.
Or maybe I did't bother because you'd already dismissed the answer you knew I was going to give.
The Palestinians voted for Hamas purely because of Fatah corruption, and even then, only 40% of them voted for Hamas. Seeing as 80% of Palestinians favour a two-state solution, I'd say the Palestinians DO want peace.
You didn't explain why PLO corruption was OK with Palestinians for 30 years and only became a problem when the PLO started trying to come to terms with Israelis, Shafiq. And you didn't explain why HAMAS corruption is OK with Palestinians today.
Seeing as 80% of Palestinians favour a two-state solution, I'd say the Palestinians DO want peace.
I have no idea where that stat comes from but every time Palestinians get to vote with their AKs and their rockets, they vote for war. Also, the way they threw the PLO over the side after Oslo and then warmly embraced HAMAS after the second intifada tells us a little something about what Palestinians want, too. And if that wasn't enough, we could always look at the posts these KABOBers make, and try to figure out what Palestinians really want, couldn't we?
"You didn't explain why PLO corruption was OK with Palestinians for 30 years"
The PLO never governed any part of Palestine until after the signing of the Oslo Accords in 1993. In merely a few short years their corruption and incompetence became known to the general Palestinian people. They practiced favoritism in governing, and completely allowed Israel to settle hundreds of thousands of settlers in the Occupied territories while there was supposed to be a peace process going on.
They never governed for 30 years.
That's a non-answer, Arayus. The PLO received billions in aid over that 30 years, and never accounted for the bulk of it.
And if you think HAMAS is "governing" something now, then you have a very strange idea of what governance means.
That's how they started fighting each other, yes.
Or didn't you know that Israel funded and aided Hamas during the 70s to create opposition to the PLO?
I'm pretty sure you DO know about the current relationship between Fatah and Israel.
Speaking of relationships, I heard that the first gay porn film to feature an all-Israeli cast was made last month called "Men of Israel." I wonder if Netanyahu and Abbas (the token Arab guy in Israel) were starring in it?
At least 24 people died in Friday's gun battle between Hamas and the Jund Ansar Allah (Soldiers of the Followers of God) group in a mosque in Rafah.
Old News, ther' buddy!
Palestinians killing each other again – must be Israel's fault?
Before Oslo, the PLO received no aid. It was all channelled through NGOs.
You also talk about Hamas corruption – who know's? they might be. We'll see in the January polls whether they are.
The Palestinians initially supported Oslo, but they soon realised it was a sham, after settlement building exploded. Now they support a two-state solution that works.
Hanitizer, given your point that Hamas' top goal is to keep Rafah open, why doesn't Hamas re-engineer the fence 'jailbreak' and just knock the wall down? I realize it's gotta be harder now with the Egyptians putting up more measures, but I gotta believe popping the thing open physically is doable. I mean, if Hamas just consistently keeps physically blasting the thing open so people can get through, don't they please the Gaza populace, please the broader Arab/Muslim worlds, and weaken the Egyptian government's chokehold on them? Why not keep knocking the wall down, or tunnel underground then blast it down from underneath or whatever. Just keep doing it over and over until the Egyptian government is forced to accept the new reality of an open border?
Yes, they did that once and and now I know why they wqon't do it again. Egypt is their only contact to the world…no one calls Gaza they call Egypt if they need anything from Gaza…Egypt will close that channel…that's one. Two lots of forign elemnts would come to Gaza like the Taliban like fighters, Hamas does not want that now. Third, A lot of people Hamas want o keep in like commanders in Fateh will escape, Hamas does not want tha either. The tunnels business will struggle since I can go to Rafah and shop…. Hamas gets a cut of the tunnel goods. Egypt will shoot Palestinians and some Palewstinians will shoot back and everyone wil support Egypt and further choke Gaza. Hamas leaders can leave and come back whenever they like. The Israelis won't like blasting the borders and they will certainly come back and control the gate. I am sure there are other reason…Hamas wants a govenrment now….governments has intrests…if Hamas loses hope they mght opt out for Chaos. P.S. sorry for the bad spelling
That makes sense. Sad sense.