Sharon's provocations
Some people were full of hope that, with Arafat gone, Sharon might finally do something to make peace happen. These same people were shocked when the news came from the borders. An Israeli soldier opened tank -- not gun -- fire on Egyptian policemen in Rafah, killing three. An Israeli official statement later said that the incident was an accident and that the Israeli soldier thought that the three men were Palestinians getting ready for a terrorist attack.
Initially some people gave Israel the benefit of doubt, withholding any judgement on the matter until investigations could reveal more about the incident. Only a day later things became clear. The chairman of the Knesset Defence and Foreign Relations Committee said, in a typically provocative tone, something to the effect that Egypt is indirectly responsible for the death of its soldiers as well as for the Taba bombings. Those who allowed Sinai to be turned into a conduit for smuggled weapons bear a share of the responsibility, he said.
In other words the Israeli terrorist who committed this crime did so with pre-meditation and on orders from above. The aim was to teach Egypt a lesson in how to defend Israel's security; to force Egypt to do more to secure Israel's borders. That was the motive.
Things have changed since Arafat died. Sharon is now under pressure from the international community to do more to promote peace, which he does not want to do. Sharon was happy with the way things were. He had his own scheme, involving the unilateral withdrawal from Gaza and an indefinite stay on the larger part of the West Bank. Sharon wants to do things his way, not to listen to what the international community has been saying since Arafat died. The Israeli prime minister is going to cause problems, trigger crises, and create no end of provocations.
The killing of the three Egyptian soldiers is a foretaste of things to come. Sharon has apologised, simply because words are cheap. Israel is purposely attempting to sabotage peace efforts. The border incident took place at a time when everyone was expecting peace to move forward. Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul-Gheit and Intelligence Chief Omar Soleiman were due to meet Israeli officials this week to discuss the future. Their visit was postponed. Israel must be pleased.
Egypt's official reaction was one of enviable self-restraint. The Americans, who back the Israelis all the way, refrained from denouncing the killings. What makes this incident particularly galling was that it took place in a spot fraught with tension due to Israel's military aggression against the Palestinians. The incident shows how proud Israel is of its military prowess and how indifferent it is about the consequences. Israel keeps firing away in all directions: across Lebanon's borders, in the heart of Damascus, on Egyptian policemen in Rafah. To this day, Israel refuses to call off its military incursions in Palestinian territories. And just because Bush was so pleased Arafat was gone some of us thought peace was around the corner.
Al-Ahram Weekly Online : Located at: http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2004/718/op4.htm