Any discussion of the "two-state solution" to the problems in the Middle East needs to consider a few of the things that have happened since Israel turned over the Gaza Strip and the West Bank to the Palestinians. First of all, Hamas, who controls the Gaza Strip, gained that control through violence against Fatah. Secondly, Hamas has, as part of its charter, the pledge to eliminate the state of Israel. Third, how much of the aid from around the world poured into Gaza has been used to infrastructure--roads, hospitals, industries that produce jobs? How much has been used to buy weapons? Is the only profession in Gaza terrorism?
Today, My Way (part of AP news) is reporting that thousands of residents of Gaza are fleeing Gaza--taking advantage of the currently open border between Gaza and Egypt. Egypt announced today that it was temporarily opening its border with Gaza. The site also reports that there are two more boats headed for the Israeli blockade. They are expected to arrive later this week or early next week.
We need to remember why Israel is blockading Gaza. We also need to mention that this is not a true blockade--the Israelis are letting boats dock in Israel, have their cargo checked, and shipping that cargo to Gaza (if the cargo is not weapons and rockets). This is not a blockade--it is a necessary move for Israel to survive. According to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 1,750 rockets and 1,528 mortar bombs fired from the Gaza Strip struck southern Israel in 2008. Would any other country in the world be asked to tolerate that kind of continuing attack on civilians?
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