Dahab attack April 24, 2006
Today is Shem al Nessim, the Egyptian spring festival and tomorrow is the Sinai Liberation day, April 25, the 24th anniversary of Sinai being returned to Egypt. We don’t celebrate - we grief.
Many Egyptians headed to the Sinai and to Dahab for a long weekend vacation. Most of the people, who died and were wounded in the evening attack in Masbat Dahab are again Egyptians and those who despite terror warnings came to Sinai out of curiosity or out of love for the place.
These terrorists, whomever they are qaeda or smer’ida have done a perfect job. Within 2 years they succeeded to create instability and fear in Sinai. Those who will suffer again and again are the local communities, who earn their living from tourism.
I was paralyzed when the bomb hit Taba and it broke my heart, when the bomb went off in Ras el Shatein. I was miserable when it hit Sharm. Now Dahab.
What shall I say: Sinai is safe – no it is not! But where on this earth do we have one safe place left?
Sinai paid a tough price. The former peaceful place of paradise turned into a playground for brutal psychopaths and it turned into a prison of security controls, which in the end could sadly enough not prevent these mean acts of terror.
All I wish that the 25th anniversary of Sinai will celebrate the liberation from terrorism and the return to a more mature status of paradise. Enough is enough!
