I’ve noticed recently that certain politicians, professors, and journalists are giving Israel and Hamas equal footing, treating their political aspirations the same.
By doing this they give legitimacy to each side’s claim. For instance, many are writing that Israel has the right to defend itself against the onslaught of rocket attacks coming from the Gaza Strip, which I agree with completely. However, many are also writing Hamas is launching rockets into Israel because of the blockade Israel has established since 2007, giving some sort of legitimacy to Hamas’ horrific actions.
So what is the blockade Hamas is talking about and, will removing the blockade finally bring peace and stability between Israel and Gaza?
First, the blockade includes restriction of construction materials, certain goods, and right of passage from Gaza. Israel imposed the blockade to prevent materials for building rockets to get into the Gaza. Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip was established in 2007 after Hamas won the Palestinian legislative election. Remember, Hamas is recognized as a terrorist organization by many Western and non-Western countries.
Before Hamas took power in the Gaza, the government of Israel was working with the Palestinian Authority on the 2005 Agreement of Movement and Access which provided Palestinians freedom of movement between the West Bank and Gaza Strip, as well as movement of goods between the borders. This was Israel’s way of helping the Palestinians establish peace and economic stability between Israel and Gaza. Also, Israel was willing to train the Palestinians in Gaza on how to manage the billion-dollar horticulture business Israelis established when they lived in the Gaza Strip.
All of that was squandered when the Gazan citizens democratically elected Hamas to control Gaza. Israel, the United Nations, the United States, the European Union, and Russia all placed sanctions on the Palestinian Authority. The UN, EU, U.S., and Russia lifted their sanctions on the Palestinians in 2007, but Israel’s sanctions “blockade” remained. Also, Israel is not the only country enforcing a blockade on Gaza. Egypt has also enacted a strict blockade on Gaza in the south preventing the movement of goods and persons through the Rafah gate.
Israel sees the blockade as sanctions, a peaceful, non-violent way of protecting its citizens and protesting the current government that controls the Gazan citizens. The blockade is designed to prevent the transfer of any goods that could be used to build mortars or rockets. The blockade of certain goods is justified to protect Israel’s citizens from harm and to send a message to Hamas.
So if Israel removes the blockade would there be peace?
Sadly no. Rockets were being launched from Gaza into Israel long before the blockade was established. The first rocket launched from Gaza was in 2001. Between 2002 and 2007 more than 6,000 rockets were launched into Israel from Gaza.
The governments of the world should stop calling for Israel to lift the blockade on Gaza, and instead, urge the leadership of Hamas to step down to allow a more moderate Palestinian government in Gaza that recognizes the existence of the State of Israel and truly seeks to make real steps toward peace.
CJK
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