Linking the Gaza Strip with the West Bank: - Jerusalem Center For ...

ֿpage 50The fifth and final cause ofthe war was the impact of amajor hurricane that affectedEast Pakistan. The apathy ofthe West Pakistani leadershipand their failure to aid EastPakistan only aggravated analready tense situation. 284Clearly, while Pakistan had been non-contiguous, itsnon-contiguity had not caused its dissolution. In fact, itplayed no role in its dissolution. Calls for a sovereignterritorial link between the West Bank and Gaza Stripand therefore, contiguity cannot point to the Pakistaniexperience.A further example that could perhaps be cited by thosein favor of the creation of a safe passage is that of theDanzig Corridor.However, when examined carefullythis example also fails to support the creation of safepassage. Indeed, it demonstrates the threat that suchpassage could pose.The Polish Corridor was a strip of territory transferredfrom Germany to Poland by the Treaty of Versaillesin 1919. The transfer of the territory was said to bejustified on historical, ethnographic, economic, andpolitical grounds. Historically, the territory had beenPolish from the tenth century till the fourteenth century,and from approximately 1453/66 till 1772, when it wastransferred to Prussia. Ethnographically the majorityof the population was Polish, or Kashubian (a peoplewho consider themselves Polish). Only a minority of thepopulation was German. Economically and politicallythe Poles were able to convince Britain and France thatif the new Polish state did not have an outlet to the BalticSea, it would be economically and politically dependenton Germany. Wanting a strong Polish state, Britain andFrance accepted this argument. 285The corridor ranged from 20-70 miles wide. It separatedEast Prussia from the rest of Germany. Although freeGerman transit was permitted across the corridor, therewas great resentment in Germany, with all post-WorldWar I German governments refusing to recognize theborders agreed to at Versailles. 286 The important seaportof Danzig was made the ‘Free City of Danzig’ and placedunder the control of the League of Nations. 287In 1933, the Nazi Party, led by Adolf Hitler, came topower in Germany. Initially, Hitler adopted a policy ofrapprochement with Poland, even concluding the Polish-German Non-Aggression Pact of 1934. Following theannexations of Austria and Czechoslovakia, Hitler turnedhis attention to Poland. In early 1939, the Germangovernment intensified demands for the annexation ofDanzig, as well as for construction of an extra-territorialroad (under German sovereignty) through the Corridor,connecting East Prussia with the rest of Germany.Poland, with the support of Britain and France, rejectedthese demands. This was to no avail, as in September,1939, Germany invaded Poland, and after Poland wasunder German control, Danzig and the Polish Corridorwere re-annexed to Germany. 288Although some might see the case of the DanzigCorridor as a justification for safe passage, and arguethat had there been safe passage Germany would nothave invaded Poland or re-annexed the Corridor, in theauthors’ opinion this is clearly not the case. Germany hadin fact enjoyed free transit across the corridor. The statewas therefore contiguous, even though the territory usedfor transit was not sovereign German territory. Therewas no need for the German invasion based on calls forcontiguity. Germany attacked not because she was noncontiguousbut because Hitler’s government had adoptedan aggressive expansionist policy.Therefore, this example does not support the call forsafe passage between Gaza and the West Bank. In fact,it militates against such passage. The Palestinians,like the Germans, have adopted an expansionist policy,in the form of their ‘phased approach.’ This calls for