Latest news with #GlobalMarch
Mail & Guardian
12 hours ago
- Politics
- 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.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Furious Americans for Palestine protesters get nasty shock after demanding Egyptians let them into Gaza
American protesters in Egypt demanding to march to Gaza were left furious after the country's authorities refused to let them cross its border into the war-torn area. The demonstrators travelled to the region over the weekend in a bid to cross the Egyptian border to Gaza and deliver aid. Dozen of protesters have been rounded-up onto buses and deported from Egypt, with activists claiming they have been 'violently dragged' and 'beaten'. But shocking footage captured before the chaos erupted shows how the stubborn protesters refused to abide by Egyptian law, which has regulatory controls for foreigners wishing to visit the Gaza Strip. Police begged the group to 'please respect our country and our law', but the activists continued to push authorities to let them march. An officer explains they will arrange for transportation back to Cairo, but an ignorant demonstrator yells out: 'We can do it in America, why can't we do it here?' 'What are you doing hear?' the officer hits back. 'Again, it's our law, okay?' Egyptian authorities previously stated that foreign protesters must coordinate with them and obtain permission prior to visiting the border. Thousands of people from 80 foreign countries began to arrive in the Egyptian capital on Thursday, with the intention of marching to the Rafah crossing in Gaza. The effort was part of the Global March to Gaza - a protest against Israel 's aid blockade on Gaza. Israel imposed a full 11-week humanitarian blockade on Gaza on March 2, cutting off food, medical supplies and other aid amid its ongoing conflict with the enclave. Footage captured on the ground in Egypt shows massive groups of demonstrators blocking the country's roads, in scenes reminiscent of marches held on home soil. Drivers furiously honked their horns as demonstrators filled the streets chanting 'Free Palestine' and waving the Palestinian flag. The group's actions frustrated locals, police and other western tourists who were on holiday and looking to experience Egypt's rich culture. Some clips showed protesters being dragged away from road blocks, with locals even accused of whipping them. It is unclear how long the self-described 'peaceful' protesters disobeyed direct orders from police before things turned violent. Egyptian authorities and civilians forcibly removed the Gaza aid activists from the road and violently dragged them onto buses, video shows. One protester, who spoke with an American accent, exclaimed: 'There's people in masks dragging people out.' Others can be heard chanting: 'Free Palestine '. Around 4,000 volunteers landed in Cairo last week, before taking buses to the city of Arish in the north of the country's Sinai Peninsula. From there, they hoped to start their planned march, on a roughly 30-mile route, to the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing on the Gaza border. But organizers said that several dozen activists were stopped on the edge of Cairo as they attempted to reach the Suez Canal city of Ismailia, which is around a three-hour drive from Arish. A protester posted a video to social media while on a bus heading there, saying: 'This is an emergency. 'We have just been violently dragged into the buses here at the first checkpoint on the way to Ismailia. 'We were sitting quietly and not doing anything. We were debating that we would leave soon, in taxis back to Cairo because we did not break any law. 'And all of a sudden, several people stormed in and they started to push people and drag them violently outside. 'They have beaten people. I have seen one woman that was beaten in her face in front of me. They didn't leave time to grab the luggage or anything. 'So, this is one of the Secret Service people that was just walking in here. I have to stop this livestream now - we are in danger. This is an emergency. We need to help.' Most of the activists were ordered onto buses back to the capital after several hours of questioning, but some remain in custody. 'We were blocked for six to seven hours before security forces violently dispersed our group,' one organizer said. At least one activist was expelled from Egypt, several sources said, adding to dozens more were denied entry or expelled in the run-up to the march. Egyptian authorities have not commented on the reported expulsions. Israel's defense minister told the Israeli military last Wednesday to prevent demonstrators entering Gaza from Egypt, and said the march was a threat to Israeli and regional security. The foreign ministry had warned that while Egypt backs efforts to put 'pressure on Israel' to lift its Gaza blockade, any foreign delegations intending to visit the border area must coordinated in advance with Egyptian embassies or government entities. Foreign ministry officials also underlined the need to follow official procedures to ensure safety and security. But organizers say they coordinated with Egyptian authorities, and have urged the government to release those detained. Groups of foreign participants were being held at checkpoints, and sit-ins had begun at two locations on the road leading to the Rafah crossing, organizers said. Officials at Cairo International Airport said new directives were issued to airlines requiring all passengers travelling to Egypt between June 12 and 16 to hold confirmed return tickets.
The Independent
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Irish politician detained by Egyptian authorities for the second time
Irish parliamentarian Paul Murphy was detained in Cairo after attempting to retrieve his phone, which was confiscated during a march to the Rafah crossing into Gaza. Murphy, along with other Irish citizens, was initially detained on Friday while participating in a demonstration to deliver aid to Gaza. After being released from initial detention, Murphy went to a Cairo police station on the advice of the Irish embassy to retrieve his phone, but his passport was taken, and he was prevented from leaving. Murphy's partner, Jess Spear, has urged Irish Deputy Premier Simon Harris to intervene and ensure the release of Murphy and other participants in the Global March to Gaza. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has confirmed they are providing consular assistance in this case, as the Global March to Gaza aims to deliver humanitarian aid and increase pressure to unblock vital supplies to the besieged region amid the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The National
5 days ago
- Politics
- The National
Foreign activists resist Egypt's attempts to block Global March to Gaza
Many participants in the Global March to Gaza have vowed to remain in Cairo and make another attempt to reach the Rafah border crossing, despite arrests, deportations and violent confrontations with Egyptian authorities who say they did not obtain permission for their show of solidarity with the war-battered Palestinian territory. Some activists posted videos on social media to urge others to stay in the Egyptian capital and continue their mission of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. 'If you're in Cairo, stay here. Do not leave," said one. "We came to Egypt with the promise that we would break the blockade and bring humanitarian aid to the border. Being stopped one time is not failure. We will be able to do what we have set out to accomplish." Another activist emphasised the symbolic importance of breaking through state barriers to show solidarity with Gazans, who are suffering daily Israeli attacks, starvation and displacement in the war between Israel and Hamas, now in its 21st month. 'The whole purpose of this march is to show Palestinians inside Gaza that they are not alone,' he said. 'People on the outside, ordinary people, are here for them. We are trying to break through these barriers to send a message: the war must end.' The march, known in Arabic as Masirat Al Ahrar (March of the Free), aimed to bring together thousands of pro-Palestine activists from 54 countries to deliver a message of solidarity with Gazans and demand an end to Israel's blockade of the territory. However, their efforts were met with significant resistance from Egyptian authorities, who intensified security measures and detained hundreds of participants. Egyptian security officials told The National on Sunday that nearly 500 foreign activists had been deported, of whom more than 200 were sent home on arrival at Cairo airport. The remainder were detained just outside the Suez Canal city of Ismailia before they were put on buses and taken to Cairo airport from where they left the country. The officials said authorities were investigating how security agencies failed to detect plans by the foreign activists to converge in Egypt to stage the march. "This apparent negligence has led to damaging scenes shared online of our policemen beating unarmed activists, dragging them to buses or just confiscating their passports," said one official. In a statement issued late on Saturday, the organisers reaffirmed their commitment to breaking the siege on Gaza while expressing gratitude to the Egyptian people for their hospitality and support. In their statement, the organisers described the challenges they faced, including what they labelled as acts of "thuggery" by prostate groups. These incidents occurred in Ismailia, about 120km from Cairo, where activists were attacked by individuals allegedly mobilised by the state to prevent their entry into the militarily sensitive region of North Sinai. "We thank the Egyptian people for their warm welcome and hospitality," the statement read. "What happened does not represent the will of the Egyptian people. Our only goal was to advance to Rafah, break the blockade on our Palestinian brethren in Gaza, and stop the war.' Footage widely circulated on social media shows activists at a checkpoint just outside Ismailia being assaulted by men described by the organisers as "thugs". Mandla Mandela, grandson of the late South African president Nelson Mandela, posted a video from the checkpoint in which he said his passport was confiscated by authorities. The activists involved were taken back to Cairo aboard buses and processed for deportation, the organisers said. Egyptian authorities have defended their handling of the situation, stating that the activists did not have the proper permissions required to cross Egyptian territory en route to Gaza. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said that while the government supports Palestinian activism, foreign visitors planning to travel to sensitive areas, such as the Rafah border, must adhere to strict protocols and secure prior approvals. Activists say they submitted formal requests to various Egyptian embassies but received no response, so they decided to gather in Egypt to ensure their voices were heard. The Egyptian state is sensitive to large demonstrations, which have been outlawed since 2013, when the military removed Mohamed Morsi from the presidency amid widespread protests against him. The march organisers said they were aware of this, which is why they did not ask Egyptians to take part. They said they were merely for the marchers to be able to reach the Rafah border crossing into Gaza. 'We want to remind everyone that the march is not aiming to cause any sedition or incite a revolution. On the contrary, this march is and will remain peaceful,' said one organiser. Meanwhile, another Rafah-bound group of activists travelling as the Qafelat Al Somood, or Convoy of Steadfastness, has been halted in eastern Libya after setting off from Tunisia on June 9 and passing through western Libya. The convoy, which includes activists, doctors, and journalists, was supposed to enter Egypt and join the Global March to Gaza. The convoy's organisers, including the Tunisia-based Co-ordination of Joint Action for Palestine, said it was blocked by forces loyal to the military commander Khalifa Haftar, who is aligned with the eastern-based rival administration to the Government of National Unity in Tripoli, as it attempted to pass through the city of Sirte. A representative of the co-ordination group said in a televised statement on Saturday night that the convoy's camp in eastern city had been surrounded by Mr Haftar's forces and that internet access in the area had been cut off. A negotiating team was reportedly sent to meet Mr Haftar's representatives. A spokesman for the eastern Libyan government said on Saturday that it was prepared to provide food and medical aid to the convoy but it would only be allowed through once the activists had obtained proper approvals from the Egyptian government.
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Gaza aid activist claims they were 'violently dragged' onto buses and 'beaten' as Egyptian authorities deported them
A Gaza aid activist has said they were 'violently dragged' onto buses and 'beaten' as Egyptian authorities deported them. Thousands have been arriving from more than 80 countries since Thursday to join the Global March to Gaza protest against Israel 's aid blockade on Gaza. Israel imposed a full 11-week humanitarian blockade on Gaza on March 2, cutting off food, medical supplies and other aid amid its ongoing conflict with the enclave. The some 4,000 volunteers landed in Cairo as planned, then taking buses to the city of Arish in the north of the country's Sinai Peninsula. From there, they hope to start their planned march, on a roughly 30-mile route, to the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing on the Gaza border. But organisers said today that several dozen activists were stopped on the edge of Cairo as they attempted to reach the Suez Canal city of Ismailia, which is around a three-hour drive from Arish. One posted a video to social media while on a bus heading there, saying: 'This is an emergency. 'We have just been violently dragged into the buses here at the first checkpoint on the way to Ismailia. 'We were sitting quietly and not doing anything. We were debating that we would leave soon, in taxis back to Cairo because we did not break any law. 'And all of a sudden, several people stormed in and they started to push people and drag them violently outside. 'They have beaten people. I have seen one woman that was beaten in her face in front of me. They didn't leave time to grab the luggage or anything. 'So, this is one of the Secret Service people that was just walking in here. I have to stop this livestream now - we are in danger. This is an emergency. We need to help.' Most of the activists were ordered onto buses back to the capital after several hours of questioning - but some remain in custody today, organisers said. 'We were blocked for six to seven hours before security forces violently dispersed our group,' one organiser said. At least one activist was expelled from Egypt, several sources said, adding to dozens more denied entry or expelled in the run-up to the march. Egyptian authorities have not commented on the reported expulsions. The foreign ministry had warned that while Egypt backs efforts to put 'pressure on Israel' to lift its Gaza blockade, any foreign delegations intending to visit the border area must obtain prior permission. Organisers of the protest have previously said activists do not plan to enter the war-torn Palestinian territory - but rather draw attention to Israel's blockade of it. Uzma Usmani, the sponsorship and logistics lead for the UK delegation of the march, explained to CNN: 'This is just another tool, another way [for] the people to raise their voices, to let governments know that we are not happy. 'We need to take things into our own hands, to raise awareness, to put pressure on all the different governments so that they start taking action.' But in a statement on Wednesday, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said allowing the activists through the border would 'endanger the security of IDF soldiers'. He added he expected Egypt 'to prevent the arrival of jihadist demonstrators to the border of Egypt-Israel and not to allow them to carry out provocations and to try to enter into Gaza'. Egypt is in an awkward position in the Israel-Palestine conflict, as a key mediator between Hamas and Israel, also trying to prevent conflict spilling into its own territory. It is also attempting to balance its ties with Israel and the United States with its own public condemnation of the war's brutal civilian impact on Gaza. The Global March to Gaza action comes just days after Israel intercepted Madleen, an aid ship bound for Gaza carrying activist Greta Thunberg on board. The 12 activists in the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) left Italy on June 1, aiming to bring awareness of food shortages in Gaza. The UN has called it the 'hungriest place on Earth', after 21 months of war, warning the territory's entire population is at risk of famine. But the Israeli government had vowed to prevent the 'unauthorised' Madleen from breaching the naval blockade of Gaza, urging it to turn back. Israel 'forcibly intercepted' the British-flagged vessel at 3.02am local time on June 9, some 100 miles from the coast of Gaza, the FFC said in a statement. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz argued the blockade - in place for years - was needed to prevent militants importing weapons into Gaza. He congratulated the military on its 'quick and safe takeover' of the ship after Israeli commandos seized the vessel. After diverting the boat, Israel's foreign ministry posted a picture of the activists all in orange life jackets being offered water and sandwiches. The activists said the ship was surrounded and sprayed with a 'white irritant substance' shortly before the IDF descended overnight Katz said the crew were safe and unharmed, and would be taken to the Israeli Port of Ashdod where they would be shown a video of Hamas's October 7 atrocities. The crew had spent the night on the Mediterranean Sea, shadowed by speedboats and drones, before being intercepted. The activists said the ship was surrounded and sprayed with a 'white irritant substance' shortly before the IDF descended overnight. 'Communications are jammed, and disturbing sounds are being played over the radio,' the coalition wrote on Telegram, assessing the Madleen had come 'under assault' in international waters. Images showed the deck splattered with an unidentified white liquid. One of the activists onboard, Yasmin Acar, said it had been deployed by Israel and was affecting her eyes.
