Jon Kyl: “In the 2 months since Hamas took control of Gaza, 40 tons of explosives have been smuggled from Egypt into Gaza. It is…”

“In the 2 months since Hamas took control of Gaza, 40 tons of explosives have been smuggled from Egypt into Gaza. It is estimated that 80 tons have been smuggled in the last 2 years. Rafah, in southern Gaza, has long been a key conduit for smuggling assault rifles, pistols, ammunition, explosive materials, grenade launchers and other munitions. While smuggling has long been a problem along this stretch of the border, the Israeli military has reported a surge in smuggling of anti-aircraft missiles, anti-tank rockets and bomb components when Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005. There has also been a clear loss of progress made with regard to democracy and the rule of law in Egypt. Prominent members of parliament like Ayman Nour who have criticized the regime have been jailed. Nour was the leading opponent in Egypt's 2005 presidential race and was arrested on dubious charges shortly after that election. According to Human Rights Watch, "Security forces and police routinely torture and mistreat detainees, particularly during interrogations. Torture in the past was used primarily against political dissidents, but in recent years it has been rife in police stations as well, affecting ordinary citizens." Cellphone videos posted on the Internet have shown the police sodomizing a bus driver with a broomstick and hanging a woman by her knees and wrists from a pole for questioning. The United States has provided substantial help to Egypt over the years.”