Members of the IDF General Staff are expressing their opposition to the handover of critical Gaza crossing points such as Erez, to the Palestinian Authority.

According to a Jerusalem Post report, quoting members of the IDF’s General Staff, they are adamantly opposed to turning over control of the Karnei and Erez Crossings to the PA. Two General Staff members mentioned in the report are Majors-General Southern District Commander Yoav Galant and Coordinator of Activities in the Territories Yosef Mishlav.

It is becoming increasingly apparent that in his recent talks with US Secretary of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice, Defense Minister Ehud Barak signaled a willingness to make major concessions, even at the cost of compromising the security of Israel’s citizens.

In addition to considering turning over control of the Rafiah Crossing from Gaza to Sinai to the Egyptians, Barak has given his approval to the deployment of 600 PA paramilitary troops in Jenin, as well as the distribution of AK-47 assault rifles, night-vision equipment and armored vehicles to the PA.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)