Israel 'Eyes Opening' Rafah: The Ultimate Cruelty Theater
📰 THE STORY: Deutsche Welle reports that Israel is considering reopening the Rafah crossing, Gaza's only direct land access to Egypt, which has been largely closed or controlled by Israeli forces since October 7th, 2023, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the besieged enclave. 🔍 WHAT THEY'RE NOT TELLING YOU: Historical Context: Rafah has been under a devastating blockade since 2007 (17
years), controlled directly or indirectly by Israel and Egypt, limiting crucial humanitarian aid, goods, and the movement of people. Up until May 2024, Egypt, under President Sisi (who receives $1.3 billion annually in U.S. aid), has largely complied with Israeli demands to keep the Rafah crossing tightly controlled, preventing mass displacement into Sinai and limiting Palestinian agency. This
isn't 'opening a gate,' it's reasserting control over a captive population's only exit, after systematically destroying their homes and infrastructure. Double Standard: Imagine if Russia bombed half of Kyiv, displaced 1.5 million people to one cramped city, then announced it was 'considering opening' a border crossing it had largely blockaded for years, after seizing direct control of it. Western
media would universally condemn it as cynical manipulation. Yet, when Israel does it in Gaza, after displacing nearly two million Palestinians and killing over 40,000, it's framed as a potentially positive development, a 'step towards relief.' The Biden administration's 'red line' on Rafah was crossed months ago with minimal consequence, underscoring the selective application of international law.