Israel: No Gaza Airport, Seaport Will Take Years, Only Leave Philadelphi Corridor After Set-Up Works

2005-08-04

Aaron Lerner

Israel Radio Diplomatic Correspondent Shmulik Tal reported on the noon news magazine today that official Israeli sources say Israel made no promises to the Palestinians about an airport in Gaza and that the opening of an airport is not in the offing. As for a sea port, construction is starting and it will take years before it is completed. Tal also reported that Israel will pull out of the Philadelphi Corridor at the end of the year if the Egyptians and Palestinians demonstrate that they are effectively preventing smuggling. Tal noted concerns that anti-aircraft missiles and other weapons will be smuggled from the Egyptian Sinai into Gaza.

In a live interview broadcast immediately after Tal's report, Brig.-Gen. (res.) Eival Giladi, [the Director of the Strategic Coordination Staff in the Prime Minister's Office handling disengagement and professional manager of the Israel office of Portland Trust - the office that is handling Portland Trust's Gaza investment projects] said that it was in Israel's interest that the Egyptians and Palestinians handle the border crossing.

The interviewer did not ask Giladi if it was also in the interest of the Portland Trust that the Egyptians and Palestinians handle the border crossing and to what extent the interests of his foreign employer play a role in his recommendations.

In point of fact, Israel Radio continued the policy of Israel Radio and almost all of the Israeli media of completely avoiding mention of Giladi's second "day job" and the conflict of interest issue.

Source: IMRA – Independent Media Review and Analysis