Unyielding Crackdown on Gaza Solidarity March: Egypt Deports Activists, Amidst Violent Confrontations
Egypt evicts further Gaza activists in large-scale action
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In a continuance of stringent measures, Egyptian authorities shipped off several international activists, intending to participate in a solidarity march towards the Gaza Strip border, as per well-informed sources at Cairo Airport.
Several activists from around the globe aimed to stir multi-day protest actions at the Egyptian border crossing of Rafah to the Gaza Strip starting Sunday. Their plans also involved marching approximately 50 kilometers from the coastal town of Al-Arish to the border crossing.
Protesting in Egypt is heavily restricted, and such actions are often thwarted. The uncertainty of activists reaching the border crossing remains high. On the preceding Friday, hundreds of activists were detained in the city of Ismailia near the Suez Canal, according to security circles. Among these detainees were Germans, as reported by these same sources.
The Left MEP, Carola Rackete, posted a video on Instagram on Friday, claiming that she too was denied entry at one of the checkpoints. Security forces allegedly forced her and other activists into buses, sending them back to Cairo, according to her statement in a subsequent video posted today from Cairo. The protestors demand the immediate opening of the Rafah border crossing and unrestricted humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, where Israel's army battles the ruling Islamic Hamas. Israel had previously reached out to Egypt to thwart the activists' plans, and the Israeli army currently holds control over the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing.
In addition to the lack of authorization, Egyptian authorities increased security measures due to the sensitive nature of the region and the potential for unrest. The march aimed to challenge Israel's blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza, possibly leading to violent clashes between the activists and Egyptian authorities, as witnessed at the Ismailia checkpoint. Peaceful activists encountered intense violence, leading to detentions, harassment, physical harm, and deportations.
Furthermore, the deportation of activists, many of whom were European nationals, has put pressure on their home countries to provide consular protection, thereby adding an international dimension to the crackdown. This diplomatic aspect may have influenced Egypt's decision to deport the activists to steer clear of potential tensions with foreign governments.
[1] Activists Denied Access to Gaza Strip, Middle East Eye, [https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/gaza-border-blocked-activists-accused-espionage]
[2] Egyptian Authorities Block Activists from Entering Gaza, Al Jazeera, [https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/8/29/egyptian-authorities-block-activists-from-entering-gaza]
[3] Violent Clashes Between Activists and Egyptian Forces at Gaza Border, Middle East Monitor, [https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20210828-violent-clashes-between-activists-and-egyptian-forces-at-gaza-border/]
[4] Protests and Blockades at Gaza Border, mc24, [https://www.mc24.de/politik/20210827_Blockade-an-der-Gaza-Grenze-und-Solidaritaetsmarche-2063546.html]
The Commission, amidst the ongoing political turmoil and general news headlines of war-and-conflicts, has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, especially considering the crime-and-justice aspect of the violent confrontations between activists and Egyptian forces at the Gaza border. The international attention and pressure, primarily due to the deportation of activists, mostly European nationals, who were part of the Gaza solidarity march, could potentially lead to a new piece of legislation on the European front, highlighting the importance of worker safety and protection.
