PrintDecember 31, 2007
Palestinian alchemy: Sugar becomes potassium nitrate
So, the Arabs in Gaza whine that the cruel Israelis won't allow vital medicines and goods through their border with Israel. And the oh-so-generous Europeans grandly toss millions upon millions in aid to purchase these vital supplies for these poor, poor people and then join the Gazan chorus condemning the cruel Israelis. But the chorus suddenly hit a deafening silent note upon the Israeli announcement that:
it had recently seized a truck carrying chemicals used to make explosives hidden in bags marked as European Union aid for the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.The army said 6.5 tonnes of potassium nitrate were in bags marked as sugar from the European Union for Palestinians in the coastal enclave.
The Europeans did eventually manage to squeak out a sour note though.
"We are looking into this report," said an EU official in Israel. "If it is found to be accurate, this is an illegal act that should be condemned."
Ah yes, condemning the Arabs for disguising explosive chemicals as sugar ought to frighten the Arabs enough to go back to shipping sugar. Sure. And then the Europeans and Arabs will then continue to condemn the Israelis. So much for the peace process.
