Israel can put an end to this phenomenon of death in the desert immediately by hermetically closing the border with Egypt, because when it is not possible to cross the border, the whole smuggling industry from Sinai will freeze automatically, and all of these horrible phenomena that come with the uncontrolled movement of Africans into Sinai will stop.The hermetic closing of the border will also reduce the infiltration of terrorists from Sinai into Israel.
Additionally, Israel must repatriate the tens of thousands of illegal immigrants back to Africa, so that she will stop being a target for immigration for all of the unemployed of the world. This does not relate to political refugees, who are protected by the UN Conventions, but only to those who seek work.
Was Israel can do for Eritrea and other third-world countries is to help them develop economically, in a way that will endow to their citizens work, education, health and a reason to stay in their homeland. That is how Israel can best help these unfortunate people in a better and more effective way, so that they will not fall as prey for the beasts of the desert.
Israel must also check the claim of the al-Mashhad regarding the accusation that Israelis are involved in the organ-smuggling market in Sinai, and if there are organs that are smuggled from Sinai into Israel. Are there are Israelis who cross into Sinai or Egypt in order to receive transplant organs? Israeli involvement in this issue is against the law, and it is possible and important to put an end to actions like this of Israelis, if indeed it exists.
Sinai has turned into “The Desert of Death”, among other reasons, because Israel has neglected the “border of Peace” between her and Egypt. The time has come for Israel to take the necessary steps in order to put an end to the industry of death that operates in Sinai.
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The author is the director Center for the Study of the Middle East and Islam (under formation), Bar Ilan University, Israel.
