Emanuel, Berman Call on Egypt to Fulfill their Commitment to Peace in Gaza

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, U.S. Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-IL) and U.S. Rep. Howard Berman, senior member of the House Committee on International Relations released the following letter to Nabil Fahmy, Ambassador of Egypt to the United States of America. 

In the letter, Emanuel and Berman expressed their concern regarding Egypt’s actions following Israel’s withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and called on Egypt to uphold their formal commitment to secure the border and assist in ending terror in the region.

“We would have expected Egypt to make a much more vigorous effort to maintain security in the region.  For the peace process to move forward, all parties – including Egypt -- must make a concerted effort to abide by their commitments,” wrote Emanuel and Berman.

Emanuel and Berman pledged to continue to monitor Egypt’s vital role as a partner for peace in the Middle East.

Full text follows:

The Honorable Nabil Fahmy
Ambassador
The Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt
3521 International Court, NW
Washington, DC 20008

Dear Ambassador Fahmy 

As Members of Congress committed to a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, we are writing to express our concerns regarding Egypt’s failure to secure its border with Gaza in the immediate aftermath of Israel’s disengagement. 

To facilitate the withdrawal of the Israel Defense Forces from the Philadelphi corridor, Egypt and Israel recently signed an agreement providing for the deployment of 750 Egyptian military personnel along the Egypt-Gaza border.  As part of this agreement, Egypt made commitments to prevent arms smuggling and the infiltration of terrorists. 

We are pleased that Egypt has accepted these important responsibilities.  However, we are disappointed that the Egyptian deployment was not completed at the time of the Israeli withdrawal, and troubled by the reported inability or unwillingness of Egyptian troops on the ground to prevent Palestinians from making unauthorized border crossings. 

According to Palestinian and Israeli sources, this complete breakdown of authority resulted in the transfer of some weapons from Egypt into Gaza.  It may also have permitted terrorists to enter or exit the territory, a possibility that could have profound security implications for both Israel and Egypt.

Egypt is not solely responsible for the lawlessness in the border area.  Indeed, some of the blame can be attributed to the Palestinian Authority, which failed to deploy its security forces in a timely manner.  Nevertheless, in light of Egypt’s strong interest in a stable Gaza, and following the terror attacks at Sharm el-Sheikh, we would have expected Egyptian troops to take much more decisive action.  For the peace process to move forward, all parties – including Egypt -- must make a concerted effort to abide by their commitments.

It is our understanding that some semblance of order has been restored along the border, and that the full contingent of Egyptian troops has now been deployed.  We urge you to carefully monitor the situation – as we will – and do everything possible to prevent further arms smuggling and unauthorized border crossings.