For the first time in its history, Palestinian Authority to exercise control over gateway to another country; PA Chairman Abbas: Achievement belongs first and foremost to martyrs, prisoners History in the making: The Rafah border crossing was officially opened Friday by the Palestinian Authority and Egypt, after an agreement on the crossing’s operation was reached between Israel and the Palestinians two weeks ago. For the first time in is history, the PA will now exercise almost complete control over a gateway to another country. In the past, Israeli security officials expressed grave concerns regarding the prospect of the crossings opening. Following progress in talks between Israeli, Palestinian teams, defense minister may bring principles for opening Rafah crossing to cabinet approval Wednesday Full Story Organizers of the inauguration ceremony posted a large sign above the crossing declaring: Rafah crossing the Palestinian gateway to freedom. Speaking at the ceremony, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas said we would not allow Gaza to become a large prison for a million and a half Palestinians. The PA chairman added that the Palestinians would not allow the Israeli Gaza withdrawal to be the last step.
This is a small dream that is part of our progress on the way to an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital, Abbas said. The achievement were celebrating today belongs first and foremost to the martyrs, wounded, prisoners, and all Palestinians who have sacrificed plenty in this struggle.
BPI Representatives of the European Union, which will send monitors to man the border crossing, were present at the ceremony, as well as Egyptian Intelligence Chief Omar Suleiman and other Egyptian, Jordanian, and Palestinian officials. The opening of the Rafah crossing represents a „milestone in Palestinian history,” a Palestinian official said. Beginning Saturday, the crossing is scheduled to open for four hours every day. Hours of operation will be extended gradually, and once all preparations and inspections at the crossing are completed, including an evaluation of the EU monitors, the crossing will start operating around the clock. The final border crossing deal was concluded in a meeting between American Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz. According to the deal, passage through the Rafah crossing will be limited to goods and people, with vehicles banned from traveling through. The agreement also states that only Palestinians carrying PA identification cards will be allowed to cross the border. After the deal on the crossing was signed, Defense Minister Mofaz said that „this is another step in the framework of the moves aimed at establishing trust between Israel and the Palestinians. This agreement can serve as the foundation for regional cooperation.”
BPI Representatives of the European Union, which will send monitors to man the border crossing, were present at the ceremony, as well as Egyptian Intelligence Chief Omar Suleiman and other Egyptian, Jordanian, and Palestinian officials. The opening of the Rafah crossing represents a „milestone in Palestinian history,” a Palestinian official said. Beginning Saturday, the crossing is scheduled to open for four hours every day. Hours of operation will be extended gradually, and once all preparations and inspections at the crossing are completed, including an evaluation of the EU monitors, the crossing will start operating around the clock. The final border crossing deal was concluded in a meeting between American Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz. According to the deal, passage through the Rafah crossing will be limited to goods and people, with vehicles banned from traveling through. The agreement also states that only Palestinians carrying PA identification cards will be allowed to cross the border. After the deal on the crossing was signed, Defense Minister Mofaz said that „this is another step in the framework of the moves aimed at establishing trust between Israel and the Palestinians. This agreement can serve as the foundation for regional cooperation.”
