Egypt arrests advocates for Palestinian causes prior to Gaza rally demonstration
Chaos at Cairo's Airport and Hotels: Foreign Activists Detained Amid Protests
It's all kicks off in Cairo, mate! Over 200 activists, hailing from Algeria, Australia, France, Morocco, the Netherlands, Spain, the United States, and more, found themselves in the thick of it, either detained at Cairo's airport or grilled at hotels across the city. That's what Saif Abukeshek, the march's spokesperson, told France's AFP news agency on Thursday.
These activists had aimed to join Friday's march, which is part of the global solidarity movement known as the Global March to Gaza. According to Abukeshek, plainclothes officers stormed hotels on Wednesday, armed with lists of names, and questioned activists. In some cases, phones were nicked and personal belongings were searched. After being interrogated, some were locked up, while others were given the heave-ho.
More than 20 French activists, who'd planned to join the march, were held hostage at the airport for a staggering 18 hours. Abukeshek described the situation as "completely unexpected".
Why the Crackdown?
Egyptian authorities claimed the measures were a consequence of failing to adhere to proper procedures, such as obtaining prior consent from embassies and securing visas. Cairo insisted that the march toward Rafah posed a threat not only to its own security but that of the participants.
Israel finds itself under increasing international pressure to allow more aid into Gaza, a place the United Nations has labeled "the hungriest place on Earth". In a statement, the organizing collective said, "We hope we can work with the Egyptian authorities... Our priorities are the same - calling for an end to the Palestinian genocide."
Convoy Blocked at Libya's Border
Egyptian authorities have stationed reinforcements at their border with Libya to block a convoy of around 1,500 people that took off from Tunisia. The caravan, called Soumoud, meaning "resiliance" in Arabic, set out with the intention of reaching Gaza to symbolically "break the Israeli blockade". After a grueling journey, the convoy found itself blocked in the city of Sirte, under the control of forces led by Marshal Khalifa Hafta.
According to one of the organizers, Wael Naouar, the convoy was prevented from proceeding at the entrance to Sirte. Despite the blockade, Naouar was adamant they wouldn't back down. The Global March to Gaza, which is coordinating with Soumoud, expected around 4,000 participants from over 40 countries to take part in Friday's event.
Israel has requested Egyptian authorities to stop the arrival of "jihadist protesters" at the Egypt-Israel border. Egypt's foreign ministry said it supports efforts to put pressure on Israel but warns that any foreign delegations visiting the border area must receive approval through official channels.
Previous Interceptions
Earlier this week, Israel intercepted a ship carrying Western pro-Palestinian activists and aid for Gaza. The vessel's passengers, including renowned climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, were hustled off the boat and deported. Rima Hassan, a French MEP from the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) party who is of Palestinian descent, was freed from solitary confinement in Israel and returned to France this week.
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- The detention of over 200 activists from Algeria, France, Gaza, Israel, and several other countries, who were planning to join the Global March to Gaza, has sparked controversy at Cairo's airport and hotels.
- During a conversation with France's AFP news agency, Saif Abukeshek, the march's spokesperson, revealed that plainclothes officers stormed hotels and detained activists, taking phones and searching personal belongings.
- The United States, along with other countries, have been involved in the global solidarity movement, as evidenced by the activists from these nations who were detained or questioned.
- Egypt's foreign ministry has warned that any foreign delegations visiting the border area to join the Global March to Gaza must receive approval through official channels, as international pressure mounts on Israel to allow more aid into Gaza, a place labeled "the hungriest place on Earth" by the United Nations.
