(Washington Times) Claude Salhani - The Palestinian Authority took its first step toward nationhood last week, when it assumed control of the Gaza Strip's Rafah border crossing with Egypt, nearly three months after Israel closed it. The reopening of Rafah is the result of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's intervention during her visit to the region earlier this month. For Israel, the border reopening is bad news because of fears Islamist militants will take advantage of it. Israeli security officials were concerned the Palestinian border reopening would give a free hand to Islamist militants from Hamas and Islamic Jihad.
2005-12-02 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive