Philadelphia and Philadelphi
They – Hamas enablers – attacked us in Philadelphia this past Sunday because we – Israelis and Israel’s American Jewish supporters – defeated Hamas at Philadelphi.
The success at Philadelphi overshadows Philadelphia. I fear we have forgotten Philadelphi in our outrage over Philadelphia.
What we stand for: we are not perennial victims. Our history does involve persecution; it does involve genocide, and throughout, it evidences resilience. That is precisely what differentiates us in this “moment.” Victimhood is not our identity.
The Philadelphi Corridor is the name for a line that runs through the city of Rafah, splitting it in half between Egypt and Gaza.
In late December 2023 and early January 2024, the former Prime Minister of Israel declared that defeating Hamas required taking the Corridor back. Israel had controlled it from the Six-Day War until the 2005 Disengagement.
An under-discussed topic since 10/7/23 is the complicity of Egypt in the tunnel system that allowed Hamas to garrison Gaza. The architecture of the 1979 Egypt-Israel Peace Agreement, the first brokered between Israel and a neighbor, makes Egyptian accountability an extraordinarily tall order.
A recipient of $1.5 billion in assistance, like that given to Israel, Egypt can only use the funds to purchase American military hardware. Yet, Egypt is a cold, indifferent peace partner. Of course, that’s better than an active state of war.
Between the former PM’s statements and the incursion into Rafah to secure the Philadelphi Corridor from May 6 – May 24, 2024, perhaps the biggest hold-up was Egypt. Understandably concerned about being exposed before an American President and public from whom it receives so much monetary assistance, Egypt pressured President Biden to discourage Israel from securing Philadelphi.
By late August 2024 the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) controlled it. That success broke Hamas’ back, though not its neck. Israel holds Philadelphi until today.
Yes, line up for food at Jewish restaurants in Philadelphia, but remember our successes lest you feel beleaguered. Because we – Israel and her American Jewish supporters – won in Philadelphi, they – Hamas and its enablers – expand the fight to an American city such as Philadelphia. We are not perennial victims, for we are resilient.
