Submitted by Hannah Givon, Jan 3, 2008 05:26

Today's reality vis-a-vis Egypt was highly predictable. As long as Israel was in charge of the Philadelphi Corridor and Rafah there was greater control over weapons smuggling from Egypt. Sec'y of State Rice, in a confrontation with Israel's security leader, demanded that Israel abandon that area. The result has been easy passage for terrorists and heavy weaponry to be transferred to PA controlled areas in the West Bank.

Rice's interference in Israeli affairs and continuous pressure on its government to release hundreds of blood-on-their-hands terrorists from prison does not augur well for the region. Concessions from Israel have not been matched by any from the Arabs; on the contrary, they have been emboldened to ask for more. The Olmert administration bears its share of culpability for acquiescing to unreasonable and dangerous demands of others.

Lest more such crises arise -such as the present one between Egypt and Israel - the free world must recognize and support Israel , the bastion of freedom in the Middle East , fighting the same war against international terrorism that is engulfing western civilization. The creation of a terrorist apartheid state of Palestine would ensure another world crisis.

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