Israel Promises To Help

The EU monitors of the Gaza - Egypt border are afraid for their lives.

Fearing for their lives, European Union monitors stationed at the Rafah Crossing that connects the Gaza Strip and Egypt have asked the defense establishment for help in drawing up escape routes from Gaza in the event of an attack on the border terminal, The Jerusalem Post has learned.

The monitors, led by Italian Maj.-Gen. Pietro Pistolese, have raised concerns in recent weeks for their safety following a series of threats to their lives. An Israeli defense official told the Post that several weeks ago a large bomb was discovered on a route used by the monitors to drive through Gaza.

No worries mates. Israel has promised to help. They have accepted the third of three proposals.

The third proposal, which was accepted by the EU monitors, was to make a dash for the Gaza security fence that separates Israel from Gaza, where they would be rescued by the IDF.

"They want to know that we will help them escape if the need arises," the defense official said. "Their concerns are understandable if you take into account the large number of threats they face."

The increasing threats against the monitors have raised concerns in Israel that the EU would refuse to extend the monitors' mandate, leaving the Gaza-Egyptian border completely open. Diplomatic officials in Jerusalem rejected this possibility and said the agreement would be signed in the coming days as planned.

So there you have it. The Italian military is afraid of threats. Not of actual attacks carried out. Just threats. It looks like another case of the West being burdened by the Italians in a war. Winston Churchill said it best when asked about Italy's alliance with the Germans in the WW2 era. "It's only fair. We had to have them in the last war." My first mate is Italian. Wonderful people. However, their fighting spirit is nothing like it was 2,000 years ago. Well, you go to war with the allies you have...