LEO Magazine - Guest Commentary "A Crime Against Humanity"
Read the whole article, signed by all our local Gaza Freedom March participants here:
http://leoweekly.com/guest-commentary/crime-against-humanity#comment-form
http://leoweekly.com/guest-commentary/crime-against-humanity#comment-form
New video from Stephon: The Wall
Mateo's blog and The Cairo Declaration
Mateo Bernal has stayed in Cairo, waiting to enter the West Bank
and continue his important work with acupuncture. While in Cairo
he has met with other organizers of the international Free
Gaza movement.
Read his blog here.
http://www.acupuncturetheoccupation.blogspot.com/
The following is an article Mateo wrote shortly after the Gaza
Freedom March event. It is an important reflection on the "Cairo
Declaration" and the need to organize international pressure on
Israel in form of boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS)
8 January 2010
Cairo, Egypt
by Mateo Bernal
The Cairo Declaration Ignites a Spark: Building a Unified Movement
What has transpired over the past two weeks in Egypt could
possibly be the biggest contribution to a global, unified
movement that bridges issues of economic, social, and political
justice in generations.
Over 1,300 international activists gathered in Cairo to attempt
to enter Gaza, break the military siege and show the world the
brutal reality of the de facto prison that 1.5 million
Palestinians experience as their daily reality. We were
forcefully prevented by the Egyptian government from even leaving
Cairo to travel to the Egypt-Gaza border, under intense pressure
from the United States and Israel. The massive demonstration
morphed into a sort of international convergence, and it’s no
surprise that when you pen organizers in together, they
organize!
Throughout the long days spent in Cairo, powerful and radical
conversations took place among representatives from nearly 40
countries, and an international movement has been reborn, guided
by new principles. As in any mass movement, particularly
visionary forces emerge; in this case, the most astute vision
came from a delegation from South Africa. The document resulting
from their vision and the contributions of many others, called
the Cairo Declaration, has real potential to give serious
political definition to our movement, now focused around “Israeli
Apartheid.” The language comes directly from COSATU, the Congress
of South African Trade Unions (whose motto is “An injury to one
is an injury to all”). Drawing on their long history of struggle
in South Africa, they brought the courage and clarity to use very
definite language around the fact that the predominant ideology
that guides Israeli policies, Zionism, is inherently racist, and
is at the root of the conflict, occupation, oppression, and
violence in Palestine. According to the declaration, it is
through workers, and not just consumers, that we must organize a
global campaign of boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS). The
framers of the declaration believe that a boycott must come at
all points of intersection of the economy where Israeli goods are
introduced; workers involved in shipping, handling, retail, and
advertisement must all be organized for maximum effect.
The Cairo declaration and the movement of which it was born was
distinctly influenced by the participation of South African trade
unionists, some of whom describe Israeli apartheid in Palestine
as even more vile than the Apartheid regime in South Africa. The
organizing around this issue, now framed in the new and more
appropriate light of racism and apartheid, is a clear plea for
international labor solidarity. As global citizens committed to
justice around the world our participation is paramount in an
international struggle against a hegemonic regime in historic
Palestine, which is causing astonishing levels of oppression and
suffering. This is an extraordinary opportunity to educate and
organize across borders and across industry lines to create ever
more profound worldwide connections. Above all, we are compelled
to come to the aid of the members of our global community who
have requested our assistance.
What can surely be said of this time in Cairo is that a fire has
been ignited, and day by day the signatories of this declaration
are growing by the thousands. We invite you to join us in signing
the Cairo Declaration and standing in solidarity with
Palestinians fighting for their liberation and their allies
around the world. As Nelson Mandela said, “…our freedom is
incomplete without the freedom of Palestinians.” From those of us
who were gathered in Cairo last week to activists in Palestine,
South Africa, France and around the world, emanates a belief that
this is a common struggle and that now is the time to organize.
You can sign the document at www.cairodeclaration.org and
together we can organize locally in a globally coordinated effort
to end Israeli Apartheid in Palestine.
and continue his important work with acupuncture. While in Cairo
he has met with other organizers of the international Free
Gaza movement.
Read his blog here.
http://www.acupuncturetheoccupation.blogspot.com/
The following is an article Mateo wrote shortly after the Gaza
Freedom March event. It is an important reflection on the "Cairo
Declaration" and the need to organize international pressure on
Israel in form of boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS)
8 January 2010
Cairo, Egypt
by Mateo Bernal
The Cairo Declaration Ignites a Spark: Building a Unified Movement
What has transpired over the past two weeks in Egypt could
possibly be the biggest contribution to a global, unified
movement that bridges issues of economic, social, and political
justice in generations.
Over 1,300 international activists gathered in Cairo to attempt
to enter Gaza, break the military siege and show the world the
brutal reality of the de facto prison that 1.5 million
Palestinians experience as their daily reality. We were
forcefully prevented by the Egyptian government from even leaving
Cairo to travel to the Egypt-Gaza border, under intense pressure
from the United States and Israel. The massive demonstration
morphed into a sort of international convergence, and it’s no
surprise that when you pen organizers in together, they
organize!
Throughout the long days spent in Cairo, powerful and radical
conversations took place among representatives from nearly 40
countries, and an international movement has been reborn, guided
by new principles. As in any mass movement, particularly
visionary forces emerge; in this case, the most astute vision
came from a delegation from South Africa. The document resulting
from their vision and the contributions of many others, called
the Cairo Declaration, has real potential to give serious
political definition to our movement, now focused around “Israeli
Apartheid.” The language comes directly from COSATU, the Congress
of South African Trade Unions (whose motto is “An injury to one
is an injury to all”). Drawing on their long history of struggle
in South Africa, they brought the courage and clarity to use very
definite language around the fact that the predominant ideology
that guides Israeli policies, Zionism, is inherently racist, and
is at the root of the conflict, occupation, oppression, and
violence in Palestine. According to the declaration, it is
through workers, and not just consumers, that we must organize a
global campaign of boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS). The
framers of the declaration believe that a boycott must come at
all points of intersection of the economy where Israeli goods are
introduced; workers involved in shipping, handling, retail, and
advertisement must all be organized for maximum effect.
The Cairo declaration and the movement of which it was born was
distinctly influenced by the participation of South African trade
unionists, some of whom describe Israeli apartheid in Palestine
as even more vile than the Apartheid regime in South Africa. The
organizing around this issue, now framed in the new and more
appropriate light of racism and apartheid, is a clear plea for
international labor solidarity. As global citizens committed to
justice around the world our participation is paramount in an
international struggle against a hegemonic regime in historic
Palestine, which is causing astonishing levels of oppression and
suffering. This is an extraordinary opportunity to educate and
organize across borders and across industry lines to create ever
more profound worldwide connections. Above all, we are compelled
to come to the aid of the members of our global community who
have requested our assistance.
What can surely be said of this time in Cairo is that a fire has
been ignited, and day by day the signatories of this declaration
are growing by the thousands. We invite you to join us in signing
the Cairo Declaration and standing in solidarity with
Palestinians fighting for their liberation and their allies
around the world. As Nelson Mandela said, “…our freedom is
incomplete without the freedom of Palestinians.” From those of us
who were gathered in Cairo last week to activists in Palestine,
South Africa, France and around the world, emanates a belief that
this is a common struggle and that now is the time to organize.
You can sign the document at www.cairodeclaration.org and
together we can organize locally in a globally coordinated effort
to end Israeli Apartheid in Palestine.
Videos from Stephon
From the streets of Cairo
Videos from Louisville-based march participant and videographer, Stephon Barbour
Ira
Videos from Louisville-based march participant and videographer, Stephon Barbour
Ira
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vXId5bD2AIMateo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mz467DwxHwY
Ibrahim
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ld01gXf8iWs
Various messages to Obama and Netanyahu from the Gaza Freedom March (Cairo)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBBHQeZsLq4
These are also linked directly in the Video section below along with other
related videos about the Gaza Freedom March
Viva Palestina Starts Entry to Gaza following brutal attack
VIVA! VIVA! PALESTINA!
Viva Palestina Starts Entry To Gaza
Viva Palestina Starts Entry To Gaza
Report by George Galloway
The Viva Palestina Convoy, and after facing ongoing Egyptian rejection and violent attacks by the Egyptian security forces, started on Wednesday evening to roll into the besieged Gaza Strip.
An explanation of why Egypt supports the blockade of Gaza - Uri Avnery
Cairo Declaration 1/1/2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 1, 2010
Gaza Freedom Marchers issue the "Cairo Declaration" to end Israeli Apartheid
(Cairo) Gaza Freedom Marchers approved today a declaration aimed at accelerating the global campaign for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) against Israeli Apartheid.
Roughly 1400 activists from 43 countries converged in Cairo on their way to Gaza to join with Palestinians marching to break Israel's illegal siege. They were prevented from entering Gaza by the Egyptian authorities.
As a result, the Freedom Marchers remained in Cairo. They staged a series of nonviolent actions aimed at pressuring the international community to end the siege as one step in the larger struggle to secure justice for Palestinians throughout historic Palestine.
This declaration arose from those actions:
End Israeli Apartheid
Cairo Declaration
January 1, 2010
We, international delegates meeting in Cairo during the Gaza Freedom March 2009 in collective response to an initiative from the South African delegation, state:
In view of:
o Israel's ongoing collective punishment of Palestinians through the illegal occupation and siege of Gaza;
o the illegal occupation of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the continued construction of the illegal Apartheid Wall and settlements;
o the new Wall under construction by Egypt and the US which will tighten even further the siege of Gaza;
o the contempt for Palestinian democracy shown by Israel, the US, Canada, the EU and others after the Palestinian elections of 2006;
o the war crimes committed by Israel during the invasion of Gaza one year ago;
o the continuing discrimination and repression faced by Palestinians within Israel;
o and the continuing exile of millions of Palestinian refugees;
o all of which oppressive acts are based ultimately on the Zionist ideology which underpins Israel;
o in the knowledge that our own governments have given Israel direct economic, financial, military and diplomatic support and allowed it to behave with impunity;
o and mindful of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (2007)
We reaffirm our commitment to:
Palestinian Self-Determination
Ending the Occupation
Equal Rights for All within historic Palestine
The full Right of Return for Palestinian refugees
We therefore reaffirm our commitment to the United Palestinian call of July 2005 for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) to compel Israel to comply with international law.
To that end, we call for and wish to help initiate a global mass, democratic anti-apartheid movement to work in full consultation with Palestinian civil society to implement the Palestinian call for BDS.
Mindful of the many strong similarities between apartheid Israel and the former apartheid regime in South Africa, we propose:
1) An international speaking tour in the first 6 months of 2010 by Palestinian and South African trade unionists and civil society activists, to be joined by trade unionists and activists committed to this program within the countries toured, to take mass education on BDS directly to the trade union membership and wider public internationally;
2) Participation in the Israeli Apartheid Week in March 2010;
3) A systematic unified approach to the boycott of Israeli products, involving consumers, workers and their unions in the retail, warehousing, and transportation sectors;
4) Developing the Academic, Cultural and Sports boycott;
5) Campaigns to encourage divestment of trade union and other pension funds from companies directly implicated in the Occupation and/or the Israeli military industries;
6) Legal actions targeting the external recruitment of soldiers to serve in the Israeli military, and the prosecution of Israeli government war criminals; coordination of Citizen's Arrest Bureaux to identify, campaign and seek to prosecute Israeli war criminals; support for the Goldstone Report and the implementation of its recommendations;
7) Campaigns against charitable status of the Jewish National Fund (JNF).
We appeal to organisations and individuals committed to this declaration to sign it and work with us to make it a reality.
Please e-mail us at cairodec@gmail.com
January 1, 2010
Gaza Freedom Marchers issue the "Cairo Declaration" to end Israeli Apartheid
(Cairo) Gaza Freedom Marchers approved today a declaration aimed at accelerating the global campaign for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) against Israeli Apartheid.
Roughly 1400 activists from 43 countries converged in Cairo on their way to Gaza to join with Palestinians marching to break Israel's illegal siege. They were prevented from entering Gaza by the Egyptian authorities.
As a result, the Freedom Marchers remained in Cairo. They staged a series of nonviolent actions aimed at pressuring the international community to end the siege as one step in the larger struggle to secure justice for Palestinians throughout historic Palestine.
This declaration arose from those actions:
End Israeli Apartheid
Cairo Declaration
January 1, 2010
We, international delegates meeting in Cairo during the Gaza Freedom March 2009 in collective response to an initiative from the South African delegation, state:
In view of:
o Israel's ongoing collective punishment of Palestinians through the illegal occupation and siege of Gaza;
o the illegal occupation of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the continued construction of the illegal Apartheid Wall and settlements;
o the new Wall under construction by Egypt and the US which will tighten even further the siege of Gaza;
o the contempt for Palestinian democracy shown by Israel, the US, Canada, the EU and others after the Palestinian elections of 2006;
o the war crimes committed by Israel during the invasion of Gaza one year ago;
o the continuing discrimination and repression faced by Palestinians within Israel;
o and the continuing exile of millions of Palestinian refugees;
o all of which oppressive acts are based ultimately on the Zionist ideology which underpins Israel;
o in the knowledge that our own governments have given Israel direct economic, financial, military and diplomatic support and allowed it to behave with impunity;
o and mindful of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (2007)
We reaffirm our commitment to:
Palestinian Self-Determination
Ending the Occupation
Equal Rights for All within historic Palestine
The full Right of Return for Palestinian refugees
We therefore reaffirm our commitment to the United Palestinian call of July 2005 for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) to compel Israel to comply with international law.
To that end, we call for and wish to help initiate a global mass, democratic anti-apartheid movement to work in full consultation with Palestinian civil society to implement the Palestinian call for BDS.
Mindful of the many strong similarities between apartheid Israel and the former apartheid regime in South Africa, we propose:
1) An international speaking tour in the first 6 months of 2010 by Palestinian and South African trade unionists and civil society activists, to be joined by trade unionists and activists committed to this program within the countries toured, to take mass education on BDS directly to the trade union membership and wider public internationally;
2) Participation in the Israeli Apartheid Week in March 2010;
3) A systematic unified approach to the boycott of Israeli products, involving consumers, workers and their unions in the retail, warehousing, and transportation sectors;
4) Developing the Academic, Cultural and Sports boycott;
5) Campaigns to encourage divestment of trade union and other pension funds from companies directly implicated in the Occupation and/or the Israeli military industries;
6) Legal actions targeting the external recruitment of soldiers to serve in the Israeli military, and the prosecution of Israeli government war criminals; coordination of Citizen's Arrest Bureaux to identify, campaign and seek to prosecute Israeli war criminals; support for the Goldstone Report and the implementation of its recommendations;
7) Campaigns against charitable status of the Jewish National Fund (JNF).
We appeal to organisations and individuals committed to this declaration to sign it and work with us to make it a reality.
Please e-mail us at cairodec@gmail.
December 31 - reports of attacks on GFM protesters
Gaza Freedom March: Reimagining Change
By Bernardine Dohrn
http://theragblog.blogspot.com/2009/12/bernardine-dohrn-gaza-freedom-march.html
Under International Pressure, Egypt Yields Ground to Gaza Freedom March
By Robert Naiman,
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-naiman/under-international-press_b_406630.html
Egyptian Security Forces Attack Gaza Protesters
By Max Ajl
http://www.truthout.org/1231098
By Bernardine Dohrn
http://theragblog.blogspot.com/2009/12/bernardine-dohrn-gaza-freedom-march.html
Under International Pressure, Egypt Yields Ground to Gaza Freedom March
By Robert Naiman,
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-naiman/under-international-press_b_406630.html
Egyptian Security Forces Attack Gaza Protesters
By Max Ajl
http://www.truthout.org/1231098
December 31 update - Louisville delegates
I have finally updated some 28 pictures from todays demonstration in Cairo.
I will comment on them in Jordan in the next couple of days.
Aljazeera has an article:
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009/12/200912319314796808.html
Ali Abuneimah's estimates are very conservative we estimated the crowds at
about 400.
There was a massive presence of riot police and the march was "corralled"
and not permitted to move out onto the street. There was some confrontations
but the Louisville group is OK.
Viva Palestina Caravan to Proceed Through Syria - Update
George Galloway gives a statement (one minute video) explaining a deal that has been reached between the Turkish side of the Viva Palestina Convoy and the Egyptian Government allowing the convoy to proceed to Gaza. Aired 12/30
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article24287.htm
(There are a lot of Viva Palestina related videos on YouTube)
Update on the Viva Palestina 3 Convoy that was stuck in Jordan due to Egyptian issues. Now back on the move and onwards to Gaza. Aired on December 31, 2009
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article24294.htm
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article24287.htm
(There are a lot of Viva Palestina related videos on YouTube)
Update on the Viva Palestina 3 Convoy that was stuck in Jordan due to Egyptian issues. Now back on the move and onwards to Gaza. Aired on December 31, 2009
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article24294.htm
Real News Network - Footage from Cairo
Gaza Freedom March
Paul Jay from the Real News Networkk talks to Sam Husseini in Cairo, Egypt. Good coverage up to today (Wednesday)
http://therealnews.com/t2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=74&jumival=4669
Protesting with Egyptian Activists and Marching for Gaza
Last night we joined Egyptian activists to protest Netanyahu's visit to Cairo. First we gathered at 2:00PM at the steps fo the Journalists Union building to protest the Egyptian refusal to let us continue to Gaza. At 6:00PM we were joined by Egyptians to protest Netanyahu's visit. We created a strong space of protest in spite of being surrounded by a rings of young police, flanked by the head honchos in brass and the plain clothes guys.....We chanted in several languages, but the Egyptians lead most of the protest in Arabic and English. Several members of the security ring told us they supported our protest. I was in front of the police line and as we chanted "FREE, FREE PALESTINE" I heard the police chanting behind me, "FREE. FREE PALESTINE." When an Egyptian climbed the police metal fencing to be above the protesters to chant, the police held his legs so he maintained his balance. We know, of course, that our presence as foreigners changes the outcome of protests here. While we are, for the most part, being treated with kid gloves-Egyptians activists are at risk of harassment, detention, beatings and torture. Political prisoners have died at the hands of the security forces. Egypt is a police state-and as we have all observed, that is an understatement-if it is possible. However, right now the Egyptian government does not want "an international incident."
Today was a day of meetings. Long term and immediate plans were made and are in the making, and will be made into the night. Through out the day we supported activists at the French Embassy who are now on their third night of encampment. Their spirits are high and they plan to spend this night at the Embassy.
Tomarrow we will march-in Occupied Palestine, Cairo, at the Eretz Checkpoint in Israel and elsewhere. We have, after much confusion and discussion, come together to agree on tomarrow's action. We will send you an update upon our return......Sharon
Today was a day of meetings. Long term and immediate plans were made and are in the making, and will be made into the night. Through out the day we supported activists at the French Embassy who are now on their third night of encampment. Their spirits are high and they plan to spend this night at the Embassy.
Tomarrow we will march-in Occupied Palestine, Cairo, at the Eretz Checkpoint in Israel and elsewhere. We have, after much confusion and discussion, come together to agree on tomarrow's action. We will send you an update upon our return......Sharon
Wednesday - Activists reject deal
It appears that the 100 activists have decided to reverse their decision on the "brokered deal" with the Egyptian government and not go as a "token" delegation to Gaza. Instead they will regroup in Cairo.
For more detailed descriptions of the fluid, hour-to-hour developments, check out the following:
For more detailed descriptions of the fluid, hour-to-hour developments, check out the following:
Updates from the Fellowship of Reconciliation delegates are be posted on the FORPeace blog. For more accounts, see author and activist Starhawk, Pace e Bene leader Fr. Louie Vitale, Just Foreign Policy national coordinator Robert Naiman, Voices for Creative Nonviolence leader Joshua Brollier; and many more updates, Tweets, videos, and links on the Gaza Freedom March website.
Wednesday Update #1 - Al Jazeera
The latest from Cairo. More to come. We are safe and sound but we will write more about what is happening on the grounds here in Cairo in more details later. We are getting coverage.
Below is an article from Aljazeera English.
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009/12/2009123061947605152.html
Many of the activists in Cairo are rejecting the offer to allow 100 into Gaza
Tuesday update
Friends,
Louisvillians were all fine as of 4 hours ago and none were part of the group detained at the U.S. Embassy. The 50 who were were released, after being roughed up.
Check out this article in the Irish press for the most recent deal "brokered" allowing 100 delegates into Gaza . . . Stay tuned for more on this.
Also check out the lacerating report published today of the impact of the '09 assault on Gaza . . . complete with pictures.
PALESTINE : HUMAN RIGHTS:
REPORT: THE IMPACT OF CLOSURE AND ATTACKS ON THE GAZA STRIP
Report, Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, 28 December 2009
The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) has
released a report highlighting the reality of life in the
occupied Gaza Strip, and illustrating the dramatic
deterioration in the human rights situation brought about
by 928 days of continuous illegal closure, as well as
numerous offensives, incursions and attacks.
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article10973.shtml
REPORT: THE IMPACT OF CLOSURE AND ATTACKS ON THE GAZA STRIP
Report, Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, 28 December 2009
The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) has
released a report highlighting the reality of life in the
occupied Gaza Strip, and illustrating the dramatic
deterioration in the human rights situation brought about
by 928 days of continuous illegal closure, as well as
numerous offensives, incursions and attacks.
http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article10973.shtml
Courier Journal Story on Gaza march
An excellent article appeared online today by Chris Kenning and Sean Rose
http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20091228/NEWS01/912280361/1008/rss01/Louisvillians-among-Gaza-supporters-blocked-in-Egypt
http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20091228/NEWS01/912280361/1008/rss01/Louisvillians-among-Gaza-supporters-blocked-in-Egypt
Update - Monday, December 28th
Friends,
Pat
Mid-afternoon (Louisville time) I spoke with Sharon, Ibrahim, Russ and Ira. I tried but was unable to reach Mateo and Stephon. Everyone is fine, though frustrated and disheartened at not getting into Gaza. Russ, Ira, Ibrahim, Sharon and her mother are now all in the same hotel. Mateo and Stephon are staying in downtown Cairo.
The situation remains tense and the Egyptian government is not budging on allowing the delegates or the convoy to move into Gaza as hoped. Sharon and Ibrahim decided not to go to El Arish today because it was clear that there was no hope of getting there or to the border. There are demonstrations going on continuously and today our group protested with the Italian delegation at their embassy, at the UN which contains the World Trade Center, and at the French Embassy where 300 French citizens slept in the street last night, corraled by Egyptian riot police ("3 deep") without access to food, water or bathroom facilities. No one is allowed into or out of the police corral. They French protesters will be sleeping in the streets again tonight.
Some comments from our folks:
Ibrahim: "I've never felt so helpless in my life . . . this is what being in a police state does to you."
Sharon: "We've heard so many stories of life in Gaza . . . it is beyond desperate there . . . we are being watched all the time here . . . today we took a taxi to another demonstration and a plainclothes security officer asked out taxi driver where we were going."
Ira: "It's scary here . . . but I believe it's important for us to be here. Good things will come of this."
Hedy Epstein, 85 year old Holocaust survivor, has begun her hunger strike and our group spent some time with her today. Tomorrow Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu arrives in Cairo and there will be further demonstrations.
Egyptian security forces have widespread control. A condition of CodePink being allowed to organize the march was that they could not have any contact with Egyptian activists who have been beaten and detained for any connection to the march and demonstrations. Demonstrations are always physically corraled, sometimes by police and often by security forces in riot gear. Ibrahim said that on several occasions he has been able to speak with the lower rank and file of police and "you could tell they are sympathetic to us and want to help the Gazans."
Please post your comments and especially your support on the website so our friends know we are with them.
Update from Louisville Support Team
Friends,
Minutes ago I spoke with Ibrahim Imam . . everyone of the
Louisville delegation has arrived in Cairo and they have all met
with each other. Everyone is safe and healthy.
According to Ibrahim, the Egyptian government is making it
impossible for people to get to the border, though there will be
many attempts to do so. Buses will leave Cairo tomorrow in an
effort to reach Al Arish which is a few hours from Cairo, I
think. Al Arish is fifteen miles from Rafah, the border. Buses
going to Al Arish have been turned away and directed back to
Cairo. Ibrahim, Sharon and her mother will attempt to travel by
taxi tomorrow morning to Al Arish and stay there (Sharon had
already made a reservation there) with the hopes of finding a way
to Rafah and into Gaza. Ira and Russ will stay in Cairo and
participate in as many plans there as they can. It is not
certain yet what Stephon and Mateo will do.
The Egyptian government has told the convoy (Viva Palestina)
that they can enter from a port on the Mediterranean, which is
very far away and impossible to get to. This is their way of not
looking like they are denying the convoy entry into Gaza while
they are making it logistically impossible to do.
The Egyptian government is also changing their tactics by
the hour to keep people confused. So far, there have not been
any reported acts of violence toward the delegates but the
situation is tense.
The most important thing we can do stateside is to create a
"buzz" and keep calling, calling, calling!!! See numbers and
message below
Please keep everyone in your thoughts and prayers. Pray
with your fingers and make those calls, please.
Pat Geier from the Louisville Support Team
CALL!!!
Egyptian embassies and missions all over the world must hear from
our supporters (by phone, fax and email)** over the coming
crucial days, with a clear message: “Open the border for the
humanitarian convoy and let the nonviolent march proceed.”
If you are in the U.S., contact the Egyptian Embassy,
202-895-5400 and ask for Omar Youssef. Or, you can send an
email to him here. This is a very simple online action that will
take less than a minute!
Call the EgyptDesk, U.S. Department of State, Rebecca Struwhe, 202-647-4261
Contact the Palestine Division in Ministry of Foreign Affairs in
Cairo, Egypt, Ahmed Azzam, tel +(20) (2) 2574-9682 Email:
* Sample text/message
I am writing/calling to express my full support for the Viva
Palestina humanitarian convoy and Gaza Freedom March. I urge the
Egyptian government to allow these delegates to enter the Gaza
Strip through Egypt.
The aim of the march is to call on Israel to lift the siege and
the caravan will take in badly needed medical aid, as well as
school supplies and winter jackets for the children of Gaza.
Please open the border for the humanitarian convoy and let the
nonviolent march proceed. Thank you!
Most of us are in Cairo now
Hello Friends. I got into Cairo last night around 11 p.m. I met with Sharon the later on with Ira and Russ. Mateo and Stephon should be in Cairo by now and we hope to meet up with them later this afternoon at the Candle float tonight when we (GFM delegates) will float 1400 candle in memory of the 1400 Palestinian martyrs who died at the hands of Israeli army last year in its brutal attack on Gaza last year. As far as GFM it is not an exaggeration to say that things are fluid and very unpredictable. Last night we thought that we are facing an uphill battle with the Egyptian government to find out this morning that the Rafah Crossing may be open starting the 29th for a couple of days but this was never confirmed by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry who still insist that they are not aware of such decision from the Crossings Management Agency.
In spite of this confusion we are not being deterred and we are forging ahead to Al-Areesh tomorrow morning. We have a couple of actions to participate in tonight and this afternoon such as the gathering for the candles float on the Nile this afternoon and possibly a meeting with the Lawyers Guild (Union?) and then the main gathering is supposed to be tomorrow morning at 7:00 am at the bus garage. We will write more and update the pictures as soon as we start our progress to wards Al-Areesh.
In Solidarity from all of us.
Gaza Freeedom Marchers Arriving From Around the World
This week and in the next two days, over 1, 300 marchers with the Gaza Freedom March will arrive in Cairo. The Egyptian Government has not only declared on national TV that our march is not permitted, they have also forbidden our meeting scheduled for tomarrow night and the press conference. They even denied permission to rent the buses we were going to use to get to Gaza. In spite of these setbacks we will continue with our plans....though somewhat altered.
This morning we met, as may as we could gather, to discuss our next moves. Ira, Russ and I met people from Spain, Scotland, Japan, Greece, the US, Great Britain and other countries. It was quite a lively meeting. Now is when we all must remember the suggestion to be as flexible and patient as possible!
By noon Sunday, our Louisville delegation will be reunited in Cairo. The Viva Palestina Convoy is stuck in Jordan, the marchers are being barred from reaching the border-please continue to call and e-mail the Egyptian Embassy to let the people and the aid through!
The Gaza Freedom March appeals directly to President Mubarak
In what has become a major rallying point for the Gaza Freedom March, Egypt has continued to deny permission for the march to proceed. In addition, Egypt, following US/Israeli pressure, has blocked the Viva Palestina caravan of 500 people/200 vehicles from its humanitarian mission to Gaza. Please read this letter to Egyptian President Mubarak.
Follow the events relating to the Viva Palestina effort. Participants have called for a hunger strike.
The main site for the Freedom March
Follow the events relating to the Viva Palestina effort. Participants have called for a hunger strike.
The main site for the Freedom March
The Journey to Gaza, From Sharon
I arrived in Cairo Wednesday night, after spending twelve days in Beirut, Lebanon. While in Beirut I visited Shatila camp and other Palestinian refugee camps. My last visit to the camps was in March of 2007. The conditions of the camps have deteriorated significantly. There is an effort to pass a civil rights act for Palestinians who are denied rights of Lebanese, including the right to work in Lebanon. If a civil rights act is passed it will impact the lives of 1000s of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon.
I had the honor of meeting with Mai Masri, film maker and Franklin Lamb, activist and writer and founder of the Sabra-Shatila Foundation and editor/owner of the newly republished Middle East International. My mother and I stayed with Anni and Laila Kanafani (Who run the Ghassan Kanafani Cultural Foundation) and through them I was able to access the media to spread the word about the Gaza Freedom March. I was interviewed by Assafir, Al-Akhbar and the Daily Star.
In the morning of our last day in Beirut I went to find a copy of the Daily Star to read the story about the Gaza Freedom March. The little Kiosk on Hamra Street, where I found the paper, was run by an elderly Lebanese man. When he saw me coming he asked (in Arabic and "sign language") if I was the one pictured in the story about Gaza. Although I was a bit hesitant to say yes, when I did answer that it was me, he snatched the paper from my hands and kissed the picture. This gesture of support meant everything to me.
The links to the news stories:
As you may have read already, the Egyptian Government is allowing the Viva Palestina Convoy from Great Britian into Gaza. They have also communicated that they will NOT let the Gaza Freedom Marchers through, YOU NEED TO KEEP PUTTING PRESSURE ON THE EGYPTIAN GOVERNMENT BY CALLING THE EMBASSIES WORLDWIDE. We will not know if we will be able to enter Gaza until we are at the Rafah border with Gaza.
I will be meeting up with the other members of the Louisville delegation this weekend. Ira and Russ are already in Cairo and I have spoken to them by phone. Ibrahim, Mateo and Stephon will arrive this weekend. The first and only meeting of GFM in Cairo will take place on December 27 at 7:00PM. The plan, to date, is to travel to Al Arish (close to the border with Gaza) on the 28th. We hope to enter Gaza December 29.
I had the honor of meeting with Mai Masri, film maker and Franklin Lamb, activist and writer and founder of the Sabra-Shatila Foundation and editor/owner of the newly republished Middle East International. My mother and I stayed with Anni and Laila Kanafani (Who run the Ghassan Kanafani Cultural Foundation) and through them I was able to access the media to spread the word about the Gaza Freedom March. I was interviewed by Assafir, Al-Akhbar and the Daily Star.
In the morning of our last day in Beirut I went to find a copy of the Daily Star to read the story about the Gaza Freedom March. The little Kiosk on Hamra Street, where I found the paper, was run by an elderly Lebanese man. When he saw me coming he asked (in Arabic and "sign language") if I was the one pictured in the story about Gaza. Although I was a bit hesitant to say yes, when I did answer that it was me, he snatched the paper from my hands and kissed the picture. This gesture of support meant everything to me.
The links to the news stories:
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=1&article_id=110043
http://www.assafir.com/Article.aspx?ArticleId=1934&EditionId=1417
http://al-akhbar.com/ar/node/17048
As you may have read already, the Egyptian Government is allowing the Viva Palestina Convoy from Great Britian into Gaza. They have also communicated that they will NOT let the Gaza Freedom Marchers through, YOU NEED TO KEEP PUTTING PRESSURE ON THE EGYPTIAN GOVERNMENT BY CALLING THE EMBASSIES WORLDWIDE. We will not know if we will be able to enter Gaza until we are at the Rafah border with Gaza.
I will be meeting up with the other members of the Louisville delegation this weekend. Ira and Russ are already in Cairo and I have spoken to them by phone. Ibrahim, Mateo and Stephon will arrive this weekend. The first and only meeting of GFM in Cairo will take place on December 27 at 7:00PM. The plan, to date, is to travel to Al Arish (close to the border with Gaza) on the 28th. We hope to enter Gaza December 29.
