By Martin Sherman, IISS
Albert Einstein once said, “Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe.”
One cannot help but recall this given the attempts to resume the debate about the construction of a port for the Gaza Strip. What makes these initiatives worrying is the identity of their advocates: past and present IDF officers and even cabinet ministers.
In the past, this foolish idea focused on the construction of an artificial island about 1.5 miles from off the coast of Gaza, designed so it could be cut off from the mainland if necessary. This would cost billions of dollars and take years to build. This vision included setting up water desalination plants, power stations and even an airport – as if such projects had not been built already solely because of the absence of an artificial island, and as if their chances of success would be greater if they were built offshore rather than on Gaza’s coast. The island
Recently, a more delusional vision has surfaced, apparently promoted by Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, to build a Gaza port on a different island – Cyprus. According to this idea, Israel would build a dock in Cyprus for its longtime enemy, which would include “an Israeli monitoring mechanism” geared to prevent Hamas from exploiting the dock to smuggle weapons into Gaza.
But how would Israel monitor the use of dual-purpose materials, such as fertilizer (also used to make explosives), metals (used in rockets) and cement Even today, under strict supervision, about 90% of the cement delivered into Gaza is appropriated by Hamas for non-civilian purposes, such as the construction of terror tunnels.
The Palestinians have also greatly expanded the concept of “dual-purpose” to include kites, balloons, nails, fuel, kitchen knives and cars – all of which have been converted into means of destruction used against both property and humans.
Wouldn’t the problem worsen if they had a port of their own
With respect to the previous plan for an island, what fate would befall Israeli (or international) inspectors stationed on an isolated, artificial landmass if they were attacked by a Gazan mob
Also, what would be considered sufficient cause to detach the artificial island from the mainland Would that decision be left exclusively to Israel’s discretion If so, how would that diminish Israel’s control over the Palestinians in Gaza
And in the Cyprus version, how would we be able to prevent military equipment from being smuggled onto a vessel left unsupervised after it departs Cyprus and begins traveling to Gaza If we continue to oversee the voyage, would that not be considered the “continuation of the occupation”
What is truly troubling is that one reason offered in support of the idea is that the proposed Cyprus port would ease the economic hardship in Gaza and therefore would diminish the violence against Israel, and also that it would be contingent on the return of two Israelis and the remains of two IDF soldiers held by Hamas.
The first argument essentially validates the false Palestinian narrative that terrorism is the result of the “occupation” and therefore Israel is responsible for it. Nothing could be further from the truth. Arab hostility towards Israel is the cause of the Palestinians’ distress, not its outcome. If they want to improve their situation in Gaza, all they have to do is to stop trying to murder Jews and allow Israeli entrepreneurship and creativity to help Gaza prosper.
The second argument essentially fuels Palestinian extortion. If holding bodies and live captives gets the Palestinian a port, why wouldn’t they see it as a clear invitation to continue with this policy
What is really absurd is that Gaza already has a port: Ashdod, which is closer to Gaza than to most other Israeli cities. The Ashdod port can easily meet all of Gaza’s needs. Besides, in the event of war, does anyone really want the Palestinians to have access to a port
Martin Sherman is the founder and CEO of the Israel Institute for Strategic Studies.
almost a ready made deal, the s Arabians are digging a canal between themselves and Qatar to turn Qatar into an island. ISRAEL finances half and this would both save moola and have an island.
I have written a piece as a comment on an Irish article on Jihadwatch. It is not perfect but good. I did it quickly. Ted should publish it.
There is a tendency to you Jews waiting and see. I would be more proactive.
Nobody yet has cracked the idea of a gentle tourism and especially being very gentle on the earth which is called sometimes environmentalism.
I would definitely if in charge of Israel take the initiative. The idea would be a light to the nations. What would be your most loved Jewish Zionist Israeli wild animal? Mine is The Irish Hare. In Spain The Iberian Lynx, Incorporate it in your dreams.
Which means clearing Gaza totally and starting over. Beginning no Arab in sight but they can place for interview because what I have in mind is a heaven on earth which will be Gaza. Maybe a new name like “tranquility happiness balm for the soul” would be my “Gaza” of the future.
I guess they have not noticed the daily terror activity from Gaza. Naturally if they get a port they will not try and figure out how to smuggle weapons into Gaza.
Also working on making sure they have enough electricity so that the weapons workshops will never go without electricity for their equipment.
Stupidity does exist in abundance!
I agree with all above who say this is a stupid plan, but it should, be in Capitals STUPID. I’m, surprised at Lieberman, I really thought he was growing into his job and doing well. Such utter benighted NONSENSE with NO political benefit, but the contrary. We have to be wary of voting for a politician who can come up and press hard for such a monstrous boondoggle.
I thoroughly support every word in this article , not only because I had already thought about all the flaws mentioned there, and had come to the same conclusions instantly, but because Martin is absolutely right. All the posters are right and Lieberman is thoroughly WRONG. We use the same words to denote right and wrong,and I am satisfied with them because they describe our opinions exactly; Also I don’t want to encourage Martin to revert to his well known ability of using 5 words when one will do admirably.
This as NOT a criticism as in the past, just a little light humour,
With the Egyptian exit now open indefinitely, Everything Gaza needs can come through there. They are Arabs , the Egyptians are Arabs , they understand one another, and can interact successfully. We should leave it ALL to them, and stop our daily mammoth shipments to Gaza, through portals they have destroyed over and again.
Leave them to their own people to deal with. Why should Israel take on thankless burdens that only are received with Anti-Semitic diatribes from the whole civilised world. We are out of Gaza, and should completely disconnect from them. If they need more than they can get presently through Egypt, let the EU arrange it with Egypt, and leave Israel out of it.
If they attack us, we must destroy them. So either way, via Egypt, or military destruction, they will be in the past tense. The choice is theirs.
A wicked evil and stupid plan. In any new port, dedicated to Gaza, Israel ought to inspect what passes through and goes into the Gaza strip, exactly as they do already today at the Erez crossing, or at Israeli ports, accepting shipments for Gaza. And inspect you must. So then, what is the point to build a new different port?
What would change with a new port? Nothing. Except, it would cost a ton of money.
It would be more difficult to for Israel to control, which is what its enemies want. Should inspections be carried out by the UN or the EU, well we know what will happen. They will chicken out like U Thant did when he cleared the border before the Six Day War, or like the UNIFIL does in Lebanon today, or like the UN did in Rwanda.
There would be corruption as usually happens as construction funds are being doled out to cronies, overseen by failed supranational donors such as the IMF, World Bank, EU et.al
I guess the doling out favors to ‘personal’ constituents is the main motivation of feckless politicians hatching out this crazy idea. That includes Israeli politicians as well, by the way.
Guess those simple politicians came up with this idea, must be a slow Knesset day. What does cypress get in return? Sorry would this be greek or Turkish cypress? Maybe the e u would do the inspections, that would keep ISRAEL clean of what goes and what stays. Stupid is as stupid does. Could always float and tow Ireland, South could become part of Turkey north be greek. But then ISRAEL could win the world Cup! Ha