- Every time that Israel finds itself backed into a political
corner it immediately attacks Egypt, which it considers the biggest threat
to its existence. It is Egyptâs continued support and backing of
the Palestinian struggle for independence and refusal to normalize relations
with Israel that irks the Jewish state. To make matters worse, Cairo stands
by President Arafat. An Israeli general in the army of occupation threatened
to bomb the Aswan Dam if Egypt doesnât back down from its pro-Palestinian
stand.
-
- Ever since the public opinion poll that revealed that
most Europeans thought Israel was the greatest threat to world peace and
security, Israeli-European relations have been strained. Israel decided
that its best way out was to attack Egypt. Numerous plots have been hatched
to destroy Egyptâs economy. Israel is hoping for a reckless reaction
on the part of Egypt that would help it overcome its current crisis with
the EU.
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- Israel concentrated on finding alternatives to the Suez
Canal; first to reduce its importance and then to phase it out completely.
It wants to do so by digging a new canal that links the Red Sea with the
Mediterranean from Eilat on the Gulf of Aqaba to the area that separates
Gaza from the port of Asqalan on the Mediterranean. Since such a project
would be difficult to implement, it proposed to build a railway line to
transport goods and containers from Eilat to Ashdood Harbor on the Mediterranean.
-
- Not content with announcing such plans, Israel went ahead
and reactivated the oil pipeline that begins in Eilat and ends at Asqalan
in order to threaten Egyptâs Sumeed pipeline.
-
- These Israeli plots are threats, not economically viable
projects ÷ they have met with much reservation from specialists
in the field of transport in general and sea transport in particular. Some
have described them as pressure cards that are being applied to Egypt and
the Arabs to make them change their position on Israel, accept the status
quo and back off from demanding an independent Palestinian state.
-
- Others see a more ominous objective.
-
- These projects in fact correspond with Binyamin Netanyahuâs
theory that the best war that can be launched against Egypt is a limited
economic war, not a political or military war, because Egypt is poor. If
Israel succeeds in reducing the value of the Suez Canal or abolishing its
strategic role in global trade, he believes, that will be a deathblow to
Egypt.
-
- Netanyahu is quite ignorant of the nature of the Egyptian
people and their boundless ability to confront dangers, especially those
of economic blockade. It is the only nation on earth that during harsh
times ate ãblack breadä without complaint. Egyptians made it
clear to the whole world that economic pressure on Egypt will not shake
them, and this forced their enemies to change their tactics and follow
the policy of understanding and dialogue instead of pressure and economic
blockade.
-
- Let Netanyahu ask the Jewish clergy why they have a special
prayer every day wishing illness, ruin, death and destruction upon the
Egyptians. If they answer sincerely, he will find that Egypt and Egyptians
will never stand silent in the face of Israeli aggression, that they are
capable of withstanding any danger and will not kowtow anyone politically,
economically or militarily.
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- http://www.arabnews.com/?page=7§ion=0&article=35756&d=1&m=12&y=2003
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