The Rafah Charade: 'Pressure Mounts' for What Western Leaders Already Approved
📰 THE STORY: Al Jazeera reports on increasing 'pressure' for Benjamin Netanyahu to open the Rafah crossing, citing international concerns over the humanitarian situation in Gaza amidst ongoing Israeli military operations. 🔍 WHAT THEY'RE NOT TELLING YOU: Historical Context: For over 17 years, Gaza has been under an Israeli blockade, effectively turning it into an open-air prison. The Rafah
crossing, controlled jointly by Egypt and Israel, has historically been a chokepoint for essential supplies and human movement. The current 'pressure' to open it comes only AFTER Israel's 2023-24 genocidal campaign has internally displaced over 1.7 million Palestinians – 85% of Gaza's population – into Rafah, with over 40,000 dead. The 'pressure' is performative; the crisis was created. Double
Standard: Western leaders, particularly US President Biden, allowed the Rafah offensive to proceed despite vocal warnings that it would cross a 'red line.' Biden's administration approved a '$17 billion arms package' for Israel in March 2024, followed by another sending 'precision-guided munitions' critical for such an offensive. While Western media frame 'pressure' on Netanyahu, there is little
to no 'pressure' on Biden for enabling the campaign, nor on Egypt's Sisi government, which receives '$1.3 billion/year' in US aid, to fully open its side of the crossing. Follow the Money: US arms manufacturers like Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, and Boeing have seen their stock prices surge, fueled by record arms sales to Israel since October 7. AIPAC, the pro-Israel lobby, maintains immense