The Arab Spring - Prelude To A Long Hot Summer

Haaretz is reporting today that Israeli senior defense officials have stated that one of the consequences of the 'Arab spring' is the increase in the amount of weapons being smuggled into the Gaza Strip. 

The article reports:

"In the past few months, Hamas has acquired improved high-trajectory rockets, ready-made explosive devices, anti-tank missiles and possibly anti-aircraft missiles, the sources told Haaretz."

The article further reports:

"The situation has been exacerbated by the anarchy in the Sinai, former Shin Bet chief Avi Dichter told Haaretz. "The Sinai went from being an area through which they smuggle weapons to an area through which they simply transfer weapons," he said. "No Egyptian security official dares to confront the Bedouin anymore."

"Dichter said the construction of the steel fence on the Rafah border, which Egypt began in the last year of Hosni Mubarak's rule, had been stopped, and parts of it were already being dismantled by the Bedouin."

The article also reports that the civil war in Libya has also resulted in more weapons coming into Gaza.  After the Libyan army lost control of weapons stored in the eastern part of the country, local arms dealers made contact with leaders in Gaza and began smuggling them into the Gaza strip.

This is not a surprise to anyone who has been paying attention.  There were probably protesters in Egypt and other countries who had a sincere desire for freedom, but they were not allowed to gain or keep control of the revolutionary movements.  As soon as Hosni Mubarak had stepped down, the Muslim Brotherhood began its move to take over the country.  Abboud el-Zomor, who was in prison for his role in the assassination of Anwar Sadat, was released in March.  Known radical Muslims who had been exiled under Mubarak came back into Egypt.  Freedom in the Middle East is a wonderful idea, but Sharia Law, the goal of the Muslim Brotherhood, is not compatible with freedom.  We need to keep that in mind when we determine which countries and revolutions we are willing to support.