http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/editorials/egypt-helps-to-restrain-hamas/story-e6frg71x-1226518416174
The Oz Editorial 17/11/12
- The Australian
- November 17, 2012
NOT since 1991, when Saddam Hussein launched Scud missiles, have air raid sirens sounded in Tel Aviv, Israel's bustling second city.
Their emergency reactivation now to warn of incoming rocket attacks from Gaza should leave no doubt about the extreme gravity of the escalating crisis caused by Hamas's mindless aggression. Events since Israel began its military operation to end the attacks from Gaza -- that pose a daily threat to a million of its citizens -- have shown that the extremists who run Hamas and its Islamic Jihad, Salafist and al-Qa'ida-affiliated allies remain undaunted. Their assaults have continued, their audacity in targeting Tel Aviv with an Iranian-supplied Fajr-5 missile a clear indication that they have no intention of retreating from their belligerence, unless forced.
In such circumstances there is a heavy responsibility on Egypt, and yesterday it sought to exercise that burden wisely. The country's new Muslim Brotherhood President Mohammed Morsi urged a ceasefire, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed, so long as there is a corresponding halt in rocket attacks from Gaza. Mr Morsi has passed his first test in this crisis, and given his reliance on US financial and military support, Barack Obama must leave him in no doubt about the degree to which Egypt needs to play a conciliatory role. Unfortunately, a downside of the Arab Spring has been to bolster organisations like Hamas, with the rise to power in Egypt of its close ally and ideological comrade the Muslim Brotherhood fuelling its belligerence. It is time for a reality check for Hamas and a reminder of what it faces. Mr Morsi is the critical outside influence who can exert pressure on Hamas to halt its aggression. Only this can remove the need for Israel to defend its people from constant targeting. There is, as well, a need for a longer-term solution to the crisis, and that will come only when Hamas and other Palestinian groups follow the lead of their Muslim Brotherhood patrons now running the government in Cairo and recognise Israel's right to exist.
Both Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott have joined the chorus of world leaders condemning Hamas for its aggression and backing Israel's right to defend its citizens. It is early days but Mr Morsi seems to have grasped that without restraint it is the hapless Gazans who will pay a heavy price for the enduring folly of their Hamas rulers.
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