The Zionist Organization of America urged members of Congress not to sign a letter commending Condoleezza Rice for brokering a deal that opened the Gaza Strip-Egypt border. “The ZOA feels that the border agreement is deeply flawed and has clearly increased the ability of terrorists to strike against Israel,” says a letter sent this week to legislators. Rep. Henry Hyde (R-Ill.), chairman of the House’s International Relations Committee, and Rep. Lois Capps (D-Calif.) are circulating the letter commending the U.S. secretary of state and urging her to maintain her involvement in the region. Americans for Peace Now has led lobbying on behalf of the letter. Israel acceded to the deal last month only after Rice stepped in and pressured the sides to come up with a deal. The border crossing, between Gaza and Egypt, is the first international border under Palestinian control. Israel resisted the deal because it felt the Palestinians had not done enough to secure the border from arms smugglers and terrorists since Israel left Gaza in September.
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