A Gateway Denied
The Rafah crossing, located between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, was once hailed as a gateway to freedom for Palestinians. Following the signing of the Agreement on Movement and Access in November 2005, a monumental promise was made to the people of Gaza. For the first time since 1967, Palestinians were to gain control over entry and exit from their territory via an international crossing at Rafah—free from Israeli control.
At the time, this agreement was celebrated as a landmark achievement. Then-U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice stated:
“… for the first time since 1967, Palestinians will gain control over entry and exit from their territory. This will be through an international crossing at Rafah … .”
Javier Solana, representing the European Union, echoed this optimism:
“This is the first time that a border is opened and not controlled by the Israelis. … So as you can imagine, this is a very important step … .”
Yet, nearly two decades later, the reality on the ground tells a very different story. The promise of an open and independent Rafah crossing has not been fulfilled.
A Promise Denied
Although the Rafah crossing was intended to operate without Israeli control, Israel has maintained a de facto veto over its operations. The European Union Border Assistance Mission (EU BAM Rafah), which was established to monitor the crossing, has repeatedly refrained from deploying its personnel when Israel has opposed the opening of Rafah. This has effectively granted Israel control over the crossing, despite assurances to the contrary.
The EU BAM Rafah website itself states that the crossing “can only be opened by agreement between the Parties.” This directly contradicts Javier Solana’s declaration that the Rafah crossing is “not controlled by the Israelis.” This broken promise is emblematic of the unfulfilled commitments made under the 2005 agreement.
Failures of the 2005 Agreement
- Expansion of Other Crossings for People and Cargo: The agreement envisioned expanded access between Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank. However, these crossings remain heavily restricted, severely limiting the movement of people and goods.
- Regular Bus and Truck Convoys Between Gaza and the West Bank: The proposed convoys were intended to facilitate the free movement of Palestinians between Gaza and the West Bank. This initiative has never been implemented.
- Reduction of Obstacles to Movement in the West Bank: Palestinians in the West Bank continue to face numerous roadblocks, checkpoints, and other obstacles that restrict their freedom of movement.
- Development of a Seaport and Airport in Gaza: Despite promises, plans for a seaport and airport in Gaza remain unfulfilled, which perpetuates the territory's isolation and restricts opportunities for economic advancement.