Former Egyptian official: Closure of Rafah crossing violates Camp David Accords

The Camp David peace treaty provides for the opening of the Rafah crossing 24 hours a day throughout the year except for on the first day of Eid Al-Adha and 6 October, which is a national holiday in Egypt, a former Egyptian official said.

In an interview with Masr Al-Arabia, the first Egyptian Ambassador to the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Karim said: “After Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip, an access and movement agreement was signed by US Secretary of State at that time, Condoleezza Rice, on behalf of Israel” stressing that Egypt was party to the agreement.

“Israel has demanded an agreement be signed which stipulates the Egyptian crossing not be opened except when Israeli or European troops are present, similar to when it was under the European Union’s control after the Israeli withdrawal and before Hamas took over the enclave in June 2007.”