Mordecai Vanunu was an Israeli under-cover agent who blew the whistle on Israel’s nuclear programme to the world. He was whisked away from the streets of London in broad day-light by Mossad agents and served a very long term in solitary prison confinement. He was recently released but now again is under house arrest in Israel. Vanunu is an old man now. Israel treats him ruthlessly, and then one can easily imagine what lies in store for enemies. And now accusations have arisen that Israeli soldiers are helping in smuggling operations in the Middle East and especially in the contended territories of Gaza and Jerusalem. Egypt has circulated a white-paper detailing the collusion of Israeli armed forces with Hamas terrorists amongst US congressmen. This has disturbed once again the delicate balance between Israel and the Islamic nations; especially Egypt. In a face saving gesture Israel has immediately denied the reports and also expressed suspicion against Egypt for simply making up the whole thing.
Israel has always seen itself as a cohered nation, united against its fight against Islamic fundamentalists. The whole societal structure of Israel is based on a readiness to go to war. They have the collective kibbutz where young people are compulsorily made to serve; they have a highly trained espionage network, one of the best in the world. Stephen Spielberg in his movie Munich brought out the superb self-sacrificing spirit that informs the Jewish people. Now this confident society has been hit in its strongest point, its own military.
For that matter, thorough investigation will have to be done by Israel not merely to quite the international community but to restore the confidence of ordinary Israelis in their own military personnel. The Jewish people have been able to survive so long, through the times of the Pharaohs and the Holocaust because they could believe in themselves. But now this faith has been shaken. Either Egypt is playing a dirty hand or Israel is in terrible hands.
Egypt has always played hardball while accepting aid from the US. Israel is a staunch ally of US and international diplomats believe that US aid to Egypt has been stalled by Israel. Though there are no official records directly implicating Israel.
So, Egypt will gain if Israel is shown to indirectly help Islamic terrorists. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has already discussed this issue in her meeting with her Egyptian counterpart Ahmed Aboul Gheit. An interesting point to note, as the Hareetz reports, is that Israel going on record in spite of these allegations that it does not consider Egypt an enemy at all.
Like politicians everywhere in the world, the Egyptian foreign minister has been prompt to promise full cooperation stemming terrorist incursions into Israel and Gaza strip.
The whole politico-diplomatic atmosphere in the Middle East has become murkier after this report. Egypt is up against an ancient rebel. The pharaohs still chase the Jews.
Via: The Hareetz.
Image: The Refugees.
