A Fence Might Be a Good Thing

Here's an idea for an Israeli-built barrier that everyone can get behind. From Bloomberg View:

"...(T)he probability of another crisis between Egypt and Israel is high. Each side is suspicious of the other, partly because it is still relatively easy for Gaza-based terrorists to enter Israel from Sinai. Hamas and its Iranian patrons would like nothing more than to precipitate an Israeli-Egyptian confrontation that would embarrass moderates in the region and end any hope of reviving the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

The "Quartet" -- the U.S., the European Union, Russia and the United Nations -- has taken the lead on peace-process issues on behalf of the international community. If terrorists' infiltrating Israel from Sinai is the most likely cause of another confrontation, the Quartet should act now to help seal the border. Israel has begun building a security fence along its boundary with Egypt that would make it much more difficult to enter from Sinai, but construction has been slowed by budgetary constraints. The Quartet should help the Israelis finish the fence as quickly as possible.

The Israelis also need to be told that they must do more to accommodate the new reality in Egypt. An immediate and sincere Israeli apology might have nipped this crisis in the bud.