IDF: Army unequipped to deal with infiltrations from Egypt
Commander of division entrusted with sealing Israel-Egypt border says lacking infrastructure, absence of fence and adherence to strict moral codes undermine forces' ability to curb infiltrations
"The State of Israel has lost it deterrence because it is unequipped to deal with infiltrations (from Egypt)," Brig.-Gen. Yoel Strik, commander of the Edom Division stationed on the Israel-Egypt
border admitted recently.
According to Strik, the Egyptian security forces are perceived by infiltrators as "much tougher" than the Israeli forces. "This infiltrator fears the Egyptians much more. He knows that if he is not killed on the Egyptian side – in Israel he will be safe and sound," Strik explained.
Strik made the statements in his testimony to the Southern Command Military Court during a hearing in the trial of a soldier convicted of assaulting a Sudanese infiltrator about a year and-a-half ago.
Dangerous route for terror
The border between Israel and Egypt has long ago become an almost-open passage for refuge seekers, drug smugglers, women traffickers and worst of all – a dangerous route for terror from the Gaza Strip and Sinai.
More than 5,600 infiltrators have been nabbed on the southern border in 2007, and the trend continues in 2008. For the security forces, each infiltrator is a potential suicide bomber.
Strik's rare confession revealed the difficulties faced by his division in dealing with those border breaches, in view of the strict ethical codes practiced by the IDF. "I, as a division commander, cannot fulfill my mission because of the tension between my desire to fulfill my mission and protect the State of Israel, and the moral principles that guide me… the State of Israel has turned into a refuge state," he said.
According to Strik, the forces on the border had to deal with lacking operational infrastructure and the absence of a border fence. "The country's safety is entrusted with these officers. The tools we provide our forces with are not always sufficient to allow them to handle any situation."
Government's weakness 'infecting army'
Responding to Strik's statements, MK Yuli Edelstein (Likud) said that “this clearly illustrates a trend we had warned about for a long time.”
Edelstein noted that “the lack of resolve and weakness at the political ranks is infecting the military and leading to idleness, lack of determination and an inability to take decisive action.”
MK Uri Ariel (National Union-NRP) said that “this admission highlights Israel’s vulnerability with respect to its borders. We need to erect a massive fence at the Egyptian border as soon as possible.”
