EGYPT HELPS HAMAS IN GAZA AGAIN

Egypt Permits Palestinians into Gaza Without Promised Security Screening - Roni Sofer
Hundreds of Palestinians were allowed by Egyptian authorities to cross into Gaza Wednesday night without going through inspection - in violation of an understanding reached between Israeli Defense Minister Barak and Egyptian President Mubarak. Hamas-controlled media outlets celebrated the event as a "victory for the resistance." Among those returning to Gaza are dozens of senior Hamas political and military figures. Israel claims that some of the returning Palestinians raised millions of dollars for Hamas while in Saudi Arabia and Israel also suspects that some underwent military training in Iran. (Ynet News)

Pilgrims’ Dangerous Progress by Abe Greenwald (Contentions)
Defying an agreement with Israel and the Palestinian Authority, Egypt has allowed over 2000 Palestinians returning from Mecca to cross through their border into Gaza. Ynet reports, the group contained dozens of Hamas officials. Common sense dictates that the pilgrims may have picked up funds and arms while in Saudi Arabia. The Palestinians were supposed to have re-entered Gaza through Israel, where they would have endured rigorous border security.

Egypt’s decision has emboldened Hamas, weakened Mahmoud Abbas, undermined Israel’s security, and humiliated the U.S. The atmosphere that allowed for this brazen violation of a multi-state agreement can be directly attributed to the Annapolis peace talks. Whenever the U.S. and Israel ignore the non-negotiable nature of the enemy, and pretend to have “partners in peace,” they broadcast weakness. This weakness is always exploited, and, somehow, the U.S. never learns. Change the names and this sad paragraph from the Washington Times coverage could be cut and pasted into any Middle East story from the past dozen years:

The Bush administration is watching the situation warily, not wanting to offend either Egypt or Israel on the eve of the president’s trip. “We understand there are concerns on all sides, and we will continue to have discussions on this issue,” said White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe.

While the Bush administration is set on not offending, Hamas has been justifiably calling the incident a victory.