Foreign Activists Deported En Masse as Egypt Halts Solidarity March to Gaza
Egypt removes numerous protesters from Gaza region
Get ready for a hot take on the latest international drama: Egypt's authorities put the kibosh on a solidarity march to the Gaza Strip border by booting out countless activists from all around the world. That's right; they decked 'em, checked 'em, and sent 'em back on the plane they came in on!
This weekend, border guards refused entry to dozens of folks from various nations, dashing their plans to participate in a multi-day protest at the Rafah border crossing. And guess what? They're not exactly welcoming committee material, since protests in Egypt are typically met with regulation and suppression.
In case you missed it, a loony mob of activists wanted to put on a weeks-long demonstration at the Egyptian-Gaza Strip border crossing, starting Sunday. Their ultimate goal? To march a grueling 50 kilometers (that's 31 miles for us metric derps) from coastal town Al-Arish all the way to the border crossing. Sounds like a mountain of fun, huh? Not so much for the Egyptian authorities.
Now, it's no secret that Egypt takes its security seriously (understatement of the century, right?), so it's no wonder that they beefed up their measures to nix the march. The event was designed to highlight the poor living conditions in Gaza, so you can see why the Egyptians aren't jumping on that bandwagon. The Global March to Gaza, or Masirat Al Ahrar (March of the Free), was meant to unite thousands of pro-Palestine activists from across the globe[1][2].
The fun doesn't stop there, my friends. Upon arrival or just while hanging out in their hotels, plenty of activists found themselves under lock and key, only to be shipped back to Cairo[3]. The center of the action was the city of Ismailia near the Suez Canal, where hundreds of activists were cuffed, and even German passports were swiped by security forces[1].
MP Carola Rackete, a Left MEP, shared her own experience on Instagram. She claimed she was given the boot at one of the checkpoints and forced onto buses by security hounds[1][2]. Sound familiar? Yep, it's the same ol' story.
You'll be pleased to hear that Israel's forces aren't left out of this kerfuffle, as they requested Egypt to block the activists from carrying out their plans[1]. Oh, and just in case you were wondering who's in control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing, the Israeli army has got that covered[1].
So there you have it, folks. Another chapter in the book of international politics closes with a bang as Egypt displays its authority and thwarts a solidarity march to the Gaza Strip. Stay tuned for more exciting updates!
Sources:1. ntv.de2. dpa3. IHS Jane's 3604. The Jerusalem Post5. The Washington Post6. The New Arab7. Middle East Monitor
Amidst the current international politics and general news, the European Commission 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, in light of recent war-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice issues. It is interesting to note that while Egypt is dominating headlines for its action against foreign activists in the context of the Gaza solidarity march, international policymakers are still grappling with the need for stricter worker protection in various sectors.
