Egypt has presented its two conditions for opening the border crossings and has linked the Shalit deal to the Palestinian reconciliation agreement. Though Israel has not publicly committed itself to lifting the blockade if Shalit is released, it appears that international pressure will not let it continue the closure. And practically speaking, there would no longer be any point to doing so: If Egypt decides to open its border with the Gaza Strip following the Shalit deal, Israel will not be able to
prevent it.
"Israel will not be able to <span style="color: #a60000;">prevent</span> it."
ReplyDeleteThey could bomb Cairo, an action that Obama would then describe as regrettable but necessary.