I am always interested to read the Gaza security briefings I receive daily. Today I read that the Erez checkpoint has been closed until at least January 21 for all but the most exceptional cases (and we all know that even then, it’s incredibly hard to get in or out of Gaza). Apparently the order came directly from Ehud Barak himself. But why should Erez be sealed? Certainly it is not off limits to the Israeli military; their unhinged presence in Gaza has become increasingly persistent and bloody.

In the wake of the horrific attacks now being prosecuted on a daily basis, it seems Israel is upping the ante further. This shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone familiar with modern history. After all, this is a tried and true method of avoiding peace and has almost become an Israeli tradition. The answer to peace talks? Bomb Gaza!

Bush is typically aloof (what else can we expect?) and the White House offered a pathetic call for restraint “encouraging” Israel to keep the loss of innocent life to a minimum.

Of course, it’s always worth noting that not everyone in Israel is content to see Gaza bombed into powder. The anti-Zionist orthodox faction Neturei Karta recently denounced what they perceive to be “ethnic cleansing” in Gaza.

I tend to be skeptical of a full-scale invasion of Gaza. Certainly, Barak was threatening such an operation long before I ever arrived in Gaza, but Israel really has no interest in seeing the current political rift between Hamas and Fatah bridged in solidarity against Israeli oppression. Already this week, Mahmoud Abbas called Mahmoud al-Zahar to offer his condolences for the loss of Zahar’s son in the attacks; given the virtual cessation of communication between Gaza and Ramallah, this is a major step. But Israel will not allow it to go forward by callously invading Gaza. The bombing will continue until the 21st and pause for a time… that is, until it seems the peace talks may actually go forwards.

If this happens, Israeli bombs will again begin to fall on the people of Gaza.

Tags: Israel, Palestine, Gaza, Ismail Haniyeh, IDF, Hamas, Fatah, Mahmoud al-Zahar, Mahmoud Abbas, Ehud Barak, George W. Bush, Kris Petersen