Egypt stops Global March on Gaza in its tracks
Protest: About 4 000 people from about 80 countries met in Cairo and had planned to walk 45km from el-Arish in Egypt's North Sanai Governorate to Rafah on the southern border of the Gaza Strip. But they were stopped before even reaching the border. Photo: Jimi Matthews
The day started with fear and uncertainty. We had arrived in Cairo two days before amid rumours of detentions, assaults, and deportations. A former colleague of mine had warned, 'Watch your back, the authorities are hectic.'
I was in Egypt to join the Global March on Gaza scheduled for Friday 13 June. About 4 000 activists from more than 80 countries had responded to the call to go to the border of Egypt and Gaza, set up a camp and demand the opening of humanitarian corridors into Gaza and an end to the siege.
The idea was to meet in Cairo, board a convoy of buses and to travel to the town of el-Arish in the Sinai Peninsula. Carrying rucksacks, sleeping bags and tents, the participants would then march 45 kilometres on foot to the Rafah border.
Arriving in Cairo as tourists, we would be informed where the pick-up points for the buses would be. We had also been informed that the Egyptian authorities had been approached for permission to proceed to el-Arish. Even before leaving South Africa, we had heard that people were being turned back at the airport in Cairo or that some who had cleared customs were being rounded up and deported.
The atmosphere was reminiscent of those old spy movies set in the Eastern Bloc. 'Be careful who you speak to, try not to attract any attention, don't venture out on your own, beware, even the walls have ears.'
Stories of the notoriety of Egyptian prison conditions and the 'disappearance' of people were rife. There were also stories of people who had been attacked by locals opposed to our presence. And above all, that the march would not be allowed.
And so we spent Thursday night huddled in our hotels like fugitives. Surreptitiously we were instructed to be ready to leave at 7am. Directions to the pick-up points would be issued just before we leave the hotel. Later on, the departure time was changed to 12.30.
In the reception area our cohort was informed of a further change in plans. For security reasons we would no longer be travelling by bus. We needed to divide ourselves into groups of three and call for a taxi or an Uber and head off to an address provided. We were instructed to leave the hotel one group at a time, to be followed by the next, only if the previous group had informed the others that they were in their respective vehicles and on their way.
We (myself and two other South Africans) were the first to leave. With rucksacks on our backs and the best wishes of our fellow travellers, we stepped into the blinding midday sunlight and made our way to the street corner where our Uber would pick us up.
Muhammed, our driver, a pleasant affable chap, offered us a cigarette, as we set off on the highway out of Cairo. About an hour out of Cairo we reached the Kamphashir toll station. It was chaos. Cars, tourist buses and minicabs were being held up by dozens and dozens of law enforcement types, some in uniforms, others in plain clothes, all of them armed. There was also a military presence. People were being asked for their passports and told to step out of their vehicles and wait on the side of the road.
Amid it all, we concocted a story that we were heading to a youth hostel just beyond the toll gate to spend a few days at the ocean. After handing over our passports and having our phones scrutinised, we were told to join the masses on the side of the road. Nobody seemed to know what was going on except that it was quite obvious that the authorities were onto us. We speculated that we would probably be forced onto the police transport vehicles and either taken directly to the airport to be deported or, worse, taken to a detention centre.
Some of the organisers tried to negotiate our safe passage to continue. After about an hour the authorities offered back our passports on condition that we returned to Cairo. And because most of the taxis and Uber drivers had understandably left the scene, we would have to make use of the transport provided by the police.
A few 'delegates' took up the offer but the majority of the roughly 250 people chose to stay put, determined to continue on our mission. The decision was also taken that if we were not allowed to proceed then we would set up camp right there on the side of the road. The rejection of the offer seemed to infuriate the officers present.
After almost three hours in the scorching heat, we were penned in a confined space and told to wait as more military and crowd control vehicles rolled up. Men armed with Kalashnikovs and other weaponry surrounded us.
About 4 000 people from about 80 countries met in Cairo and had planned to walk 45km from el-Arish in Egypt's North Sanai Governorate to Rafah on the southern border of the Gaza Strip. But they were stopped before even reaching the border. Photo: Jimi Matthews
We were informed that we would not be allowed to proceed with our journey and that if we did not board the buses that had now replaced the police vehicles we would not get our passports back.
During the standoff we made the most of the solidarity inspired by comrades rallying around a common cause. There were activists from around the world, sharing what food and water that they had. Young people chanting the now universally known slogans in support of Palestine. A small group of Turkish musicians, playing traditional instruments and singing soulful songs, kept us entertained. Despite the oppressive heat, our spirits were high, united in our determination not to be moved.
And then, unannounced, a bunch of large burly men, bouncer types, descended on us. Senior activists advised the group to sit down, remain calm, interlock our arms and offer no resistance. In the face of barked commands and threats, a group of young people started singing freedom songs in support of Palestine. On command, the men suddenly started grabbing at those on the fringes. Any resistance was met by hard body blows and kicks. Some people also suffered baton blows to the body. In the ensuing panic we were forced to board the buses. Still shook up, I realised I was on the wrong bus. In the bus alongside singing broke out and the young people were rocking again, undaunted by the threats of violence.
We were kept waiting on the buses until our passports were returned to each of us. In the dark we headed back to Cairo. And then on the outskirts of Cairo we were unceremoniously dropped off, two or three at a time, at random intervals. Still shook up we made our way back to the hotel.
As I reflected on the day, I realised we had won. We were not cowered. We did not make it to Rafah but we did not capitulate. Our demand for the humanitarian aid corridors to Gaza to be opened and an end to the siege remain.
Jimi Matthews is a writer, photographer, editor, cameraman and producer. He covered the First Intifada in 1989 and has visited the Occupied Territories many times since then. His work included a major photo exhibition of his visit in 2023.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mail & Guardian
a day ago
- Mail & Guardian
Egypt stops Global March on Gaza in its tracks
Protest: About 4 000 people from about 80 countries met in Cairo and had planned to walk 45km from el-Arish in Egypt's North Sanai Governorate to Rafah on the southern border of the Gaza Strip. But they were stopped before even reaching the border. Photo: Jimi Matthews The day started with fear and uncertainty. We had arrived in Cairo two days before amid rumours of detentions, assaults, and deportations. A former colleague of mine had warned, 'Watch your back, the authorities are hectic.' I was in Egypt to join the Global March on Gaza scheduled for Friday 13 June. About 4 000 activists from more than 80 countries had responded to the call to go to the border of Egypt and Gaza, set up a camp and demand the opening of humanitarian corridors into Gaza and an end to the siege. The idea was to meet in Cairo, board a convoy of buses and to travel to the town of el-Arish in the Sinai Peninsula. Carrying rucksacks, sleeping bags and tents, the participants would then march 45 kilometres on foot to the Rafah border. Arriving in Cairo as tourists, we would be informed where the pick-up points for the buses would be. We had also been informed that the Egyptian authorities had been approached for permission to proceed to el-Arish. Even before leaving South Africa, we had heard that people were being turned back at the airport in Cairo or that some who had cleared customs were being rounded up and deported. The atmosphere was reminiscent of those old spy movies set in the Eastern Bloc. 'Be careful who you speak to, try not to attract any attention, don't venture out on your own, beware, even the walls have ears.' Stories of the notoriety of Egyptian prison conditions and the 'disappearance' of people were rife. There were also stories of people who had been attacked by locals opposed to our presence. And above all, that the march would not be allowed. And so we spent Thursday night huddled in our hotels like fugitives. Surreptitiously we were instructed to be ready to leave at 7am. Directions to the pick-up points would be issued just before we leave the hotel. Later on, the departure time was changed to 12.30. In the reception area our cohort was informed of a further change in plans. For security reasons we would no longer be travelling by bus. We needed to divide ourselves into groups of three and call for a taxi or an Uber and head off to an address provided. We were instructed to leave the hotel one group at a time, to be followed by the next, only if the previous group had informed the others that they were in their respective vehicles and on their way. We (myself and two other South Africans) were the first to leave. With rucksacks on our backs and the best wishes of our fellow travellers, we stepped into the blinding midday sunlight and made our way to the street corner where our Uber would pick us up. Muhammed, our driver, a pleasant affable chap, offered us a cigarette, as we set off on the highway out of Cairo. About an hour out of Cairo we reached the Kamphashir toll station. It was chaos. Cars, tourist buses and minicabs were being held up by dozens and dozens of law enforcement types, some in uniforms, others in plain clothes, all of them armed. There was also a military presence. People were being asked for their passports and told to step out of their vehicles and wait on the side of the road. Amid it all, we concocted a story that we were heading to a youth hostel just beyond the toll gate to spend a few days at the ocean. After handing over our passports and having our phones scrutinised, we were told to join the masses on the side of the road. Nobody seemed to know what was going on except that it was quite obvious that the authorities were onto us. We speculated that we would probably be forced onto the police transport vehicles and either taken directly to the airport to be deported or, worse, taken to a detention centre. Some of the organisers tried to negotiate our safe passage to continue. After about an hour the authorities offered back our passports on condition that we returned to Cairo. And because most of the taxis and Uber drivers had understandably left the scene, we would have to make use of the transport provided by the police. A few 'delegates' took up the offer but the majority of the roughly 250 people chose to stay put, determined to continue on our mission. The decision was also taken that if we were not allowed to proceed then we would set up camp right there on the side of the road. The rejection of the offer seemed to infuriate the officers present. After almost three hours in the scorching heat, we were penned in a confined space and told to wait as more military and crowd control vehicles rolled up. Men armed with Kalashnikovs and other weaponry surrounded us. About 4 000 people from about 80 countries met in Cairo and had planned to walk 45km from el-Arish in Egypt's North Sanai Governorate to Rafah on the southern border of the Gaza Strip. But they were stopped before even reaching the border. Photo: Jimi Matthews We were informed that we would not be allowed to proceed with our journey and that if we did not board the buses that had now replaced the police vehicles we would not get our passports back. During the standoff we made the most of the solidarity inspired by comrades rallying around a common cause. There were activists from around the world, sharing what food and water that they had. Young people chanting the now universally known slogans in support of Palestine. A small group of Turkish musicians, playing traditional instruments and singing soulful songs, kept us entertained. Despite the oppressive heat, our spirits were high, united in our determination not to be moved. And then, unannounced, a bunch of large burly men, bouncer types, descended on us. Senior activists advised the group to sit down, remain calm, interlock our arms and offer no resistance. In the face of barked commands and threats, a group of young people started singing freedom songs in support of Palestine. On command, the men suddenly started grabbing at those on the fringes. Any resistance was met by hard body blows and kicks. Some people also suffered baton blows to the body. In the ensuing panic we were forced to board the buses. Still shook up, I realised I was on the wrong bus. In the bus alongside singing broke out and the young people were rocking again, undaunted by the threats of violence. We were kept waiting on the buses until our passports were returned to each of us. In the dark we headed back to Cairo. And then on the outskirts of Cairo we were unceremoniously dropped off, two or three at a time, at random intervals. Still shook up we made our way back to the hotel. As I reflected on the day, I realised we had won. We were not cowered. We did not make it to Rafah but we did not capitulate. Our demand for the humanitarian aid corridors to Gaza to be opened and an end to the siege remain. Jimi Matthews is a writer, photographer, editor, cameraman and producer. He covered the First Intifada in 1989 and has visited the Occupied Territories many times since then. His work included a major photo exhibition of his visit in 2023.
Mail & Guardian
3 days ago
- Mail & Guardian
In a world of injustices, be Greta Thunberg
Even as a schoolgirl Greta Thunberg has stood up for environmental and human rights. Greta Thunberg continues to engrave her name for eternity, this time with her trip to war-torn Gaza in a bid to deliver humanitarian aid. What is so heroinic about the 22-year-old Swedish climate and human rights activist is her uncompromised courage, determination and resilience to confront injustice in all its forms. Greta and 11 other people boarded a yacht, the Madleen, which is part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, carrying aid for Gaza to draw global attention to the plight of people under siege and being killed. The Israeli forces intercepted the vessel and Greta was later deported. Many superstars and philanthropists with bigger audiences remain mute about Israel's fullscale war in Gaza for fear of being labelled antisemitic and Zionists, but Greta traded it all to speak out. She defied this intimidation. What she wants the world to know is in the world of injustices is, don't be silent but rise, speak out and take action. Silence may be the safest way from danger and prejudicial accusations but it's a fertile ground upon which the tyranny of injustice thrives. In this whole Greta Gaza saga, what touched me as a parent was the moment she displayed a placard reading 'Bombing kids is not self-defence'. This was an act of demanding justice from the perpetuators. Greta advocating for the safety of children and innocent lives resonates with the United Nations Children's Fund that civilians and children should not be the targets in Israel's war in Gaza and the West Band and Russia's war in Ukraine. In the interviews after Israel deported Greta, her facial expression was one of sadness about the ongoing injustices in Gaza, reflecting a critical question. Where is ubuntu? Where is humanity? Greta, the founder of Fridays for Future, reminds the world of Charles Bukowski's words: 'I guess the only time most people think about injustice is when it happens to them.' The fearless Thunberg is not waiting for children in Sweden to be bombarded or denied food, safe drinking water and homes; she is taking action with conviction knowing that injustice in one part of the world is injustice everywhere. To deny people their basic needs such as food, water and shelter denies them their very basic human rights and existence. In August 2018 Greta started her skolstrejk för klimatet (school strike for climate) outside the Swedish parliament demanding something be done to deal with climate change. Her lone protest spread around the world. In 2024 she joined the Georgian election protests for a rerun of the 26 October elections after the ruling Georgian Dream party was declared the winner amid claims of vote-rigging. Greta has also publicly condemned environmental injustices regarding Russia's ecocide, calling it an atrocity against people and planet. This followed Russia's blowing up of Ukraine's Kakhovka Dam. Many of her fellow climate activists remain mute about the ongoing gross injustices in Uganda and East African region such as state abductions, torture, arbitrary arrests and fraudulent elections. We hope they can use their global status to draw attention to these. Greta is consistently using her status to speak truth to power and push back political, social, economic and environmental injustices. My call is for activists, celebrities and other famous people to use their voices to protest against injustices in the world. Robert Kigongo is a sustainable development analyst.
IOL News
4 days ago
- IOL News
Pro-Palestinian activists detained in Cairo while marching for Gaza aid
South African delegation at the third checkpoint with global activists from 80 different countries. Image: Jimi Matthews Over 200 international pro-Palestinian activists, including notable figures like Mandla Mandela, were arrested in Cairo, while attempting to march to the Rafah border crossing to demand increased humanitarian aid for Gaza. Among the detainees were activists from Algeria, Australia, France, Morocco, the Netherlands, Spain, the United States and South Africa. Mandela, Chief of the Mvezo Traditional Council and grandson of former South African president Nelson Mandela, was among the activists who were detained at a checkpoint for over six hours on June 13. Basheerah Soomar, the head of the South African delegation for Global March to Gaza, was among 53 South Africans, who travelled to Cairo, Egypt, as part of the delegation. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ 'About half of us left South Africa for Cairo on June 11 and the remainder left on June 12. Seven South Africans were detained at the airport upon arrival. They were kept for a few hours without being told why they were there, along with activists from other countries, including Greece and Spain. 'Our embassy put immediate pressure on the authorities to demand reasons for their detention and release. The authorities could not give a clear answer and eventually allowed them into Cairo where they rejoined the bigger group,' said Soomar. She said after the issue at the airport, none of their delegates were detained again but most of them had their passports forcibly removed at various tollgates as they were leaving Cairo to travel to Ismailia, a city in north-eastern Egypt. 'We were travelling in small groups of two to four people via taxis and Ubers when they trapped us into a large group at the tollgates. We were stranded without our passports and they forced us into a group to make it seem as though we were gathering illegally. 'We were held at these points for up to six hours before our passports were returned. Some people from our delegation were violently thrown into buses and others peacefully complied. We were then dropped off at random points across the city. "Half of the delegates have since returned to South Africa, while the other half have flights booked to return to the country by the end of this week. They are all safe and all 22 of them will return home this week. They are able to return whenever they want but they are not there under duress." Soomar, who returned home to Johannesburg on Sunday, said she was not surprised by the treatment meted out in Cairo. 'I was prepared for this scenario and worse scenarios as the head of the delegation. It was stressful, of course, because I felt responsible for others. But I managed to remain level-headed and I kept emotion out of it. "I put the Palestinian people at the centre of every decision that we made as we were purely there for them. We had a great support team at home, who we were liaising with us 24/7; such as lawyers, coordinators, and media liaisons." Hasina Kathrada, an activist and journalist from Johannesburg, also returned home on Sunday. She said she left for Egypt on June 11 and faced challenges at the final checkpoint. 'My passport was taken at Kamphasheer tollgate, an hour away from Cairo. We were heading to Arish, from where we were going to walk to Rafah. There were 3 checkpoints. My passport was held at the third checkpoint along with about 250 other activists from around the world. 'Through it all, there was great camaraderie among activists. We shared food and water and supported each other during the six hours that we were together. The march to Rafah may have been stopped but the solidarity continues. The people of Gaza know they are not alone. The world has not forgotten them,' said Kathrada. In a video that has been circulating on social media, Mandela explained with a large crowd behind him facing the same issue, that he was being detained. 'We are about an hour out of Cairo and our passports have been confiscated. We are held here at one of the checkpoints without being permitted to proceed,' said Mandela on Saturday. Mandela, in another video highlighted the issues he and other activists faced while trying to get through Egypt. 'Those who managed to come into Cairo, such as myself, had no problems entering Egypt and coming through the airport but we have had immense challenges with going through each and every tollgate. We have been subjected, just like how Palestinians are in the Westbanks in checkpoints, where they have to produce their identity documents. We have been subjected to that in the second checkpoint that we are in. Our passports were taken away and we were held here for over six hours."
