By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
DailynewsegyptDailynewsegypt
  • Home
  • Business
    BusinessShow More
    Public Enterprise Minister discusses cooperation with Aluminium Bahrain
    Public Enterprise Minister discusses cooperation with Aluminium Bahrain
    May 28, 2023
    First Abu Dhabi Bank Egypt launches ‘Access’ portal for electronic payments
    First Abu Dhabi Bank Egypt launches ‘Access’ portal for electronic payments
    May 28, 2023
    Sorouh partners with RICON Construction to establish new projects with EGP 30bn investments
    Sorouh partners with RICON Construction to establish new projects with EGP 30bn investments
    May 28, 2023
    Egyptian property sales increase 7% in April: Aqarmap
    Egyptian property sales increase 7% in April: Aqarmap
    May 28, 2023
    Africa needs 10 million housing units annually to meet increasing demand:AFCCA
    Africa needs 10 million housing units annually to meet increasing demand:AFCCA
    May 28, 2023
  • Politics
    PoliticsShow More
    Irrigation Minister reviews preparations for upcoming Cairo Water Week
    Irrigation Minister reviews preparations for upcoming Cairo Water Week
    May 28, 2023
    Al-Sisi affirms Egypt's keenness on security, stability of Iraq
    Al-Sisi affirms Egypt’s keenness on security, stability of Iraq
    May 28, 2023
    Biden, Republican House Speaker reach ‘preliminary agreement’ on debt ceiling
    Biden, Republican House Speaker reach ‘preliminary agreement’ on debt ceiling
    May 28, 2023
    Erdoğan wins third presidential term in Turkey after tough run-off
    Erdoğan wins third presidential term in Turkey after tough run-off
    May 28, 2023
    Map of alliances affects second round of Turkish presidential election
    Map of alliances affects second round of Turkish presidential election
    May 28, 2023
  • Interviews
    InterviewsShow More
    I changed my artistic path to create ‘state of wonder’: Tarek Lotfi
    I changed my artistic path to create ‘state of wonder’: Tarek Lotfi
    May 25, 2023
    I adore Ramadan drama, ‘Telt Al-Talata’ series achieved great success: Ghada Abdel Razek
    I adore Ramadan drama, ‘Telt Al-Talata’ series achieved great success: Ghada Abdel Razek
    May 8, 2023
    We aim to establish Egypt as nearshore centre for Software AG for MET region: Rami Kichli
    We aim to establish Egypt as nearshore centre for Software AG for MET region: Rami Kichli
    April 29, 2023
    Egypt-Spain relations witness remarkable development in recent years: Spanish ambassador in Cairo
    Egypt-Spain relations witness remarkable development in recent years: Spanish ambassador in Cairo
    April 18, 2023
    "Al-Asly" series saw my first leading role in TV drama: Reham Abdel Ghafour
    “Al-Asly” series saw my first leading role in TV drama: Reham Abdel Ghafour
    April 16, 2023
  • Culture
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
Reading: A country of walls: An interview with Talal Okal
Share
Notification
Latest News
Public Enterprise Minister discusses cooperation with Aluminium Bahrain
Public Enterprise Minister discusses cooperation with Aluminium Bahrain
Business
Irrigation Minister reviews preparations for upcoming Cairo Water Week
Irrigation Minister reviews preparations for upcoming Cairo Water Week
Politics Egypt
Al-Sisi affirms Egypt's keenness on security, stability of Iraq
Al-Sisi affirms Egypt’s keenness on security, stability of Iraq
Politics Egypt Region
Biden, Republican House Speaker reach ‘preliminary agreement’ on debt ceiling
Biden, Republican House Speaker reach ‘preliminary agreement’ on debt ceiling
Politics World
Erdoğan wins third presidential term in Turkey after tough run-off
Erdoğan wins third presidential term in Turkey after tough run-off
World Politics
Aa
Aa
DailynewsegyptDailynewsegypt
  • Home
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Interviews
  • Culture
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
  • Home
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Interviews
  • Culture
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
  • Advertise
© 2023 DNE News. All Rights Reserved.
Dailynewsegypt > Blog > Politics > A country of walls: An interview with Talal Okal
Politics

A country of walls: An interview with Talal Okal

DNE
Last updated: 2012/07/17 at 11:49 PM
By DNE 5 Min Read
Share
SHARE

After 13 attempts to blow up pipelines supplying fuel to Israel and to Jordan from Egypt, a worsening security situation in Sinai, Gaza-based political commentator Talal Okal explains that it’s become difficult to maintain control over the area. In an exclusive interview with Bitterlemons International, Okal relays how this has affected residents of the Gaza Strip.

BI: What do the conditions in the Sinai Peninsula have to do with you and others in the Gaza Strip?

Okal: The border that separates Sinai in Egypt and the Gaza Strip is the only border that is open for our use. The town of Rafah [where the main crossing is located] is actually split across the border between the two sides and many of Egyptian Rafah’s residents are relatives of those who live on the Gaza side of the town. The connections there are extensive. Moreover, the tunnel network operating out of Gaza opens onto the Sinai.

In general, one can say that the Sinai area has not been under control for a long time. Recently, there have been additional security officers allowed into the area to police it [on the Egyptian side] but this has not really made a difference. Egypt has still not been able to control the area and conditions there appear to be worsening.

The region is vast and the trade that takes place there is largely elicit. The Bedouin tribes that live in the Sinai are mostly armed and have played a role in the worsening situation. Even a wide security operation in the area would likely not be able to bring the area under control.

How has the situation changed since the fall of the regime of Hosni Mubarak?

Actually, there hasn’t been a great change. The new government hasn’t been able to bring the area under its control and this is apparent through the 13 different explosions that have taken place on pipelines supplying fuel to Israel and to Jordan from Egypt.

Israel is building a barrier along the Israel-Egypt border. How do you think this will affect the situation, both for Israel and in general?

This is one of Israel’s security misconceptions. Through its concentration on security answers, Israel has become a country of walls. But the truth is that walls don’t create security.

Israel is building the wall in part to try to stop the flow of immigrants from Sudan and Somalia, which is really a civilian issue. It might be successful at doing this. But then what? The wall will not solve the general security problem. Using security methods to control any other field, whether it is economic or otherwise, is doomed to fail.

In your view, is the problem in the Sinai a security problem or a human rights problem?

It is difficult to sort this out, but in this situation, I would say that the security perspective has totally failed.

What is the relationship between the Sinai area and the power outages that Gaza is facing at this time?

The relationship is extensive. The tunnels open onto the Sinai, where the Egyptian government is not the main party in control. The entire region is built on the illicit trade connected to the tunnels.

The Egyptian authorities – although we should say that they are not the party that is really backing this policy – want to close these tunnels. They want to create a formal, legal relationship where the goods that flow through the tunnels [including fuel] are trafficked legally.

The problem is that those materials that are trafficked through the tunnels are essential to the daily lives of Gazans, who need them to build, to cook, to run their power plant. –This interview was first published by Bitterlemons International on March 29.

 

 

 

You Might Also Like

Irrigation Minister reviews preparations for upcoming Cairo Water Week

Al-Sisi affirms Egypt’s keenness on security, stability of Iraq

Biden, Republican House Speaker reach ‘preliminary agreement’ on debt ceiling

Erdoğan wins third presidential term in Turkey after tough run-off

Map of alliances affects second round of Turkish presidential election

TAGGED: Gaza, Sinai, Sinai security
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Email Print
Previous Article Kempinski Hotel Spa: A zen spot in the city
Next Article Cairo to host first Global Voice Hall forum in Mideast
Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Ad image
Ad image

Stay Connected

Facebook Like
Twitter Follow
Instagram Follow
Youtube Subscribe

Latest News

Public Enterprise Minister discusses cooperation with Aluminium Bahrain
Public Enterprise Minister discusses cooperation with Aluminium Bahrain
Business
Irrigation Minister reviews preparations for upcoming Cairo Water Week
Irrigation Minister reviews preparations for upcoming Cairo Water Week
Politics Egypt
Al-Sisi affirms Egypt's keenness on security, stability of Iraq
Al-Sisi affirms Egypt’s keenness on security, stability of Iraq
Politics Egypt Region
Biden, Republican House Speaker reach ‘preliminary agreement’ on debt ceiling
Biden, Republican House Speaker reach ‘preliminary agreement’ on debt ceiling
Politics World
//
Egypt’s only independent daily newspaper in English. Discuss the country’s latest with the paper’s reporters, editors, and other readers.

Quick Link

  • Home
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Interviews
  • Culture
  • Opinion
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

© 2023 DNE News. All Rights Reserved.

Join Us!

Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss our latest news, podcasts etc..

Zero spam, Unsubscribe at any time.

Removed from reading list

Undo
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?