Nov. 26, 2005 - 20:00 PST

OPEN DOORS

According to an article by Ravi Nessman of The Associated Press in the Eugene Register-Guard this morning Israel seems to be easing their tight control of the Palestinians. Quoting in part:

NO LONGER AN ISLAND, GAZA GETS A CROSSING

Under the watch of Europe, jubilant Palestinians open their first link to Egypt outside of Israel�s control

RAFAH TERMINAL, Gaza Strip � �When Israel pulled out of Gaza, Palestinians feared the territory would be turned into a giant prison, with the Israelis controlling the airspace, the coast and all of the borders.�

�But two months later, after tense negotiations and pressure from the United States, a gate to the world swung open � the Rafah Crossing between Gaza Strip and Egypt.�

It marked the first time Palestinians took control of a border, with Israel unable to intervene.�

�The opening of the border � under an agreement with Israel � bostered Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas� message independence can be won only through negotiations and gave him a boost ahead of Jan. 25 parliamentary polls fiercely contested by the Islamic Hamas group.�

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Also mentioned in the article is to let more Palestinian cargo through Karni crossing (into Israel), bus convoys can travel between the West Bank and Gaza starting Dec. 15, linking the two territories for the first time in more than five years.�

�The Palestinians also were given permission to begin building a Gaza seaport.�

Considering the trouble given by both sides to each other, it would seem to be fair to Palestinians. But, I wonder, after having the Palestinians bottled up tight for so long if it won�t be like popping the cap on a Pepsi bottle after it being shook up?

I guess it all depends on what the Palestinians do to the Israelis and what they do in return. Things could rapidly grow worse or, miracles might happen and things will open up for a permanent state of peace between both sides.

They can be shut again you know, those OPEN DOORS . . . . . . . . .

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