After serious clashes broke out between apparent aid workers and local police, Egypt has now banned supply caravans bound for Gaza from passing through its territory. Under the circumstances, it is difficult to put too much onus on Egypt for the ban since rare is the situation in which any country should be expected to put up with violent reactions by foreigners within its borders to governmental decisions. The ban stems from an incident last Tuesday night when activists with the Viva Palestina convoy clashed with police in the Egyptian port town of El Arish, 45 km from the Gaza border. The activists were protesting a decision to send some of the convoy's trucks to Gaza through Israel, a decision they rejected apparently on moral grounds as Israel is primarily responsible for the deprivation that currently prevails in Gaza. The protests, however, ultimately went far beyond what could be termed acceptable, with seven protesters arrested and four policemen being captured by the so-called aid workers. In a disturbing echo of Israeli-Palestinian prisoner swaps, the two sides traded their prisoners. From now on, according to the Egyptian foreign minister, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, all supplies destined for Gaza must be handed over to the Red Crescent at El Arish who will turn it over to the Palestinian chapter of the Muslim relief organization in Gaza. The Red Crescent has performed admirably in the face of natural and manmade catastrophes for many years and if there is a reliable partner for Gaza in the midst of its turmoil, the Red Crescent it is. But there must be no credit given to Israel even if it does facilitate in any way the transport of food or medical supplies. The deprivation in Gaza is wholly the result of Israeli blockades which have precipitated what credible agencies around the world have called a humanitarian disaster. Even the conflict in El Arish should be laid to blame at Israel's door. __
