In the political sphere, however, courage is less evident. Despite pledges to the contrary, the Gazan border remains virtually impenetrable, stifling the economy and starving the population of life's staples. As David Miliband says: "Gaza has gone off the political agenda, and that is dangerous." Despite his lack of any formal role, Miliband, who left Gaza to meet young activists in Egypt, remains an influential figure, able to command the attention of foreign leaders at a time when the US Congress is threatening to cut $200 million in aid to the Palestinians as a rebuke for President Mahmoud Abbas's call for statehood.