On these issues, we should stand with the GOI

On these issues, we should stand with the GOI

According to AP, 2005_05_22, Israel resisted international pressure to self-destruct; referring to the ongoing World Economic Forum in Josrdan, AP reports:

Israel, Palestinians Pushed at World Forum

Olmert said Israel would deny a chief demand of the Palestinians - and of the World Bank - for the reopening of a Palestinian-owned airport in Gaza, even after the Israeli pullout.

Olmert said Israel wasn't prepared to allow Palestinians to oversee international flights into Gaza, saying they pose too big a risk for the import of missiles capable of hitting Tel Aviv and other nearby Israeli cities.

Gloomier still for the devastated Palestinian economy, Olmert confirmed that Israel would not heed international pleas to allow Palestinians to travel to jobs inside Israel. The Jewish state intends to fully bar Palestinians from working inside Israel by 2008.

Olmert said the ban on Palestinian employment inside Israel was part of a deliberate process to separate the two economies, which are eventually expected to be neighboring states. Israel doesn't want to depend on "foreign" workers, Olmert said. The World Bank estimates Palestinian unemployment at 30 percent.

Earlier Sunday, the World Bank's Nigel Roberts blamed Israel's restrictions on travel and trade for wrecking the Palestinian economy. He called on Olmert to allow Palestinians to use the now-closed roads and the Gaza airport and seaport and to allow more Palestinians to work inside Israel.

Olmert said Israel was only ready to "develop some platform for trade," but rejected most of the World Bank requests.

"We want them to get ready for the new realities, through jobs in the Palestinian Authority," Olmert said. "We kicked out all the Thais, the Chinese, the Filipinos out of Israel, so it's not something that discriminates Palestinians from other foreign workers. We don't want anyone."

Over the years, Israel has developed feet of clay, if not feet of water. Let us support Israel in her tough stance on these issues.

Posted by Joseph Alexander Norland at May 23, 2005 08:01 AM

Trackback Pings

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.israpundit.com/mt-tb.cgi/8674


Comments

1. BobW said:

I believe part of the AP article is false in re "Israeli officials in Jerusalem said no decision had been made on the border crossing." [Egypt-Rafah,Gaza].

The Egypt-Israel peace treaty has been modified to accomodate Egyptian troops to enter Sinai without being in violation of treaty obligations. Thus, some Israeli decisions have already been made. This can be tested by waiting or looking at how the US readjusts its Sinai Support Mission.

There is nothing inherently dangerous in Israeli secret diplomacy. What is dangerous is dealing in secret diplomacy while suffering from delusions or just being plain drunk. DPM Ehud Olmert's public statements about Israel not allowing an airport in Gaza is somewhat out of order.

Conflicting material is entering the public stage. President Bush has declared support for a new Arab state. Is Olmert hinting that the pending Palestine will not be a sovereign with the powers of seigniorage?

Watch for additional daily humiliations against Israel. The PLO's press releases will be easy to prepare. One will be about the 2 injured orphans who could not be air transported to a hospital because Israel is delaying the reopening of Dahaniyeh airfield.

Please note that Israeli public relations are even worse than Israeli public diplomacy. This is called a "lose-lose" situation.

From a military perspective, I anticipate Dahaniyeh airport (pending port status) to link up to a rehabiliated Atarot airport for an air corridor giving the new State of Palestine the contiguity that President Bush called for. The military aspect is that an air ambulance is nearly identical to the helicopter gunship.

Is Olmert hinting that the new Arab state will not be sovereign and in reality an enclave de facto governed by Egypt with Israel controling Gaza's territorial sea and airspace?

"Against stupidity the gods themselves struggle in vain." Johann Schiller 1759-1804

Kol tuv,
BobW

Posted by: BobW on May 23, 2005 03:35 AM

2. Felix Quigley said:

I am with Bob on this. After Sharon pulls out of Gaza what does it matter what he or any Minister says. It is no longer in his hands. No, stand not at all with the GOI. Fight them on everything every inch of the way until they are forced from power.

Posted by: Felix Quigley on May 23, 2005 05:13 AM

Post a comment




Remember Me?

(you may use HTML tags for style)