We got word this morning, that, despite the organizers' tireless efforts to work with the Egyptian government to make the passage of our delegation of 1,360 internationals from 43 countries into Gaza as smooth as possible, Egypt has decided to ban the Gaza Freedom March. They have informed us that the border will be "closed" until some time in January due to "escalating tensions." You can read the official Code Pink press release here.
Of course, the border was technically "closed" the last time we were there, too, and isn't it nice how tensions always seem to escalate so conveniently when international solidarity delegations want to cross?
This is far from the first time Egypt has tried to intimidate a group of activists out of crossing into Gaza. A Canadian delegation was surrounded by riot cops and held at gunpoint on the road across Sinai; the July Viva Palestina convoy was physically stopped on the bridge over the Suez Canal and turned back to Cairo. Both of these delegations got into Gaza by being calm, persistent, and calling on international support.
The only way to deal with intimidation is to refuse to be intimidated. We are not backing down. We are still going. But we need your help!
If you are in the US, please call the Egyptian Embassy in DC or your nearest Egyptian consulate. Hey, call all of them while you're at it. You can (calmly) ask them to allow the Gaza Freedom March to proceed into Gaza. Let them know we are bringing medical aid and school supplies, and wish only to nonviolently express our solidarity with the besieged people of Gaza. Ask them to have the same courage we do: to stand with the people of Gaza against US and Israeli threats and pressure.
Here are the numbers:
Egyptian Embassy in DC: 202-895-4500 (ask for Omar Youssef)
NYC: 212-759-7120, 212-759-2171
Chicago: 312-828-9162
Houston: 713-961-4915
San Francisco: 415-346-9700
If you are outside the US, you can find a complete list of Egyptian diplomatic posts here.
VIVA PALESTINA! WE WILL BREAK THE SIEGE!
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