RSS Feeds
The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil,    but because of the people who don't do anything about it    
Occupation magazine - Activism

Home page  back Print  Send To friend

1300 internationals arriving - Egypt getting cold feet
Gaza Freedom March
UPDATE
December 21, 2009

We are determined to break the siege. We all will continue to do whatever
we can to make it happen

Using the pretext of escalating tensions on the Gaza-Egypt border, the
Egyptian Foreign Ministry informed us yesterday that the Rafah border will
be closed over the coming weeks, into January. We responded that there is
always tension at the border because of the siege, that we do not feel
threatened, and that if there are any risks, they are risks we are willing
to take. We also said that it was too late for over 1,300 delegates coming
from over 42 countries to change their plans now. We both agreed to
continue our exchanges.

Although we consider this as a setback, it is something we`ve encountered
-and overcome- before. No delegation, large or small, that entered Gaza
over the past 12 months has ever received a final OK before arriving at the
Rafah border. Most delegations were discouraged from even heading out of
Cairo to Rafah. Some had their buses stopped on the way. Some have been
told outright that they could not go into Gaza. But after public and
political pressure, the Egyptian government changed its position and let
them pass.

Our efforts and plans will not be altered at this point. We have set out to
break the siege of Gaza and march on December 31 against the Israeli
blockade. We are continuing in the same direction.

Egyptian embassies and missions all over the world must hear from us and our
supporters (by phone, fax and email)** over the coming crucial days, with a
clear message: Let the international delegation enter Gaza and let the Gaza
Freedom March proceed.

Contact your local consulate here:
http://www.mfa.gov.eg/MFA_Portal/en-GB/mfa_websits/

Contact the Palestine Division in Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cairo
Ahmed Azzam, tel +202-25749682 Email: ahmed.azzam@mfa.gov.eg

In the U.S., contact the Egyptian Embassy, 202-895-5400 and ask for Omar
Youssef or email omaryoussef@hotmail.com

The GFM Steering Committee

* * Sample text

I am writing/calling to express my full support for the December 31, 2009
Gaza Freedom March. I urge the Egyptian government to allow the 1,300
international delegates to enter the Gaza Strip through Egypt.

The aim of the march is to call on Israel to lift the siege. The delegates
will also take in badly needed medical aid, as well as school supplies and
winter jackets for the children of Gaza.

Please, let this historic March proceed.

Thank you.
Links to the latest articles in this section

Settlements still occupying minds in the West Bank
Silwan Archaeological conference Demo Sep. 1st 2010 , Video
`Solidarity tastes different inside prison` : Ameer Makhoul writing from Gilboa prison