Demonstrators advocating for Palestine arrested after physically linking themselves to the Egyptian United Nations embassy in Midtown
In a show of solidarity, pro-Palestine activists gathered at the United Nation's Permanent Mission of Egypt in Midtown, New York, on August 1, 2023. The protest, organised by PAL-Awda NY/NJ, was focused on Egypt's decision to block aid from reaching the people of Gaza.
The protesters, holding signs in support of the Gazan people, chained themselves to the building and marched outside, chanting and clanging pots. This was not the first such demonstration; earlier this week, the group Within Our Lifetime held a similar protest at the same location.
The organization PAL-Awda NY/NJ posted a message on their platform, urging Egypt to open the Rafah Crossing and allow aid to enter Gaza. According to the organization's message, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians may die of malnutrition and famine if aid is not allowed to enter Gaza. Over 6,000 trucks filled with aid have been waiting to enter Gaza.
Egypt's move to block aid from reaching Gaza has been a contentious issue. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza as “systematic genocide” and emphasized the humanitarian crisis. However, Egypt has not fully opened its border to allow all aid into Gaza but continues to coordinate relief efforts and maintain a controlled flow of aid amid the ongoing conflict.
The Palestinian government has praised Egypt’s role in supporting Gaza’s relief efforts, consolidating ceasefire talks, and preparing for reconstruction after the war. Egypt continues to call for an end to the war and for international support to deliver aid to Gaza’s population while stressing the need to expedite reconstruction once a ceasefire is reached.
However, there is no indication that Egypt has unilaterally opened its border for unrestricted aid access to Gaza at this time. The latest information shows that Egypt's current position remains one of managing relief operations in coordination with international agencies while constrained by Israel's tight blockade on the Gaza side of the border.
Our platform has reached out to the Permanent Mission of Egypt for comment but has yet to receive a response. The NYPD's Strategic Response Group used saws to cut the chains of the protesters and took five people into custody.
This protest is a testament to the ongoing concern and solidarity of pro-Palestine activists worldwide. The situation in Gaza continues to be a pressing issue, and the international community's attention remains crucial in addressing the humanitarian crisis and ensuring aid reaches those in need.
The ongoing protest by PAL-Awda NY/NJ is a clear indication of the general public's involvement in war-and-conflicts, particularly the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, demonstrating the political stance of these activists. The international community's response to this issue, including Egypt's position on the aid blockade, is a significant part of the ongoing politics surrounding Gaza.