Citing escalating tensions on the Gaza-Egypt border, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry informed us on December 20 that the Rafah border will be closed over the coming weeks, into January. We responded that there is always tension at the border because of the siege and that if there are any risks, they are risks we are willing to take. We also said that it was too late for over 1,360 delegates coming from over 42 countries to change their plans now.
Although we consider this as a setback, it is something we've encountered -- and overcome -- before. No delegation, large or small, that has entered Gaza over the past 12 months has received a final OK before arriving at the Rafah border. Most delegations were discouraged from even heading out of Cairo to Rafah. Some had their buses stopped on the way. Some have been told outright that they could not go into Gaza. But after public and political pressure, the Egyptian government changed its position and let them pass.
Our efforts and plans will not be altered at this point. We have set out to break the siege of Gaza and to march in Gaza on December 31 against the international blockade. We are continuing the journey.
Egyptian embassies and missions all over the world will be hearing by phone, fax and email from delegates and the supporters of the Gaza Freedom March over the coming crucial days, with the clear message: Let the international delegation enter Gaza and let the Gaza Freedom March proceed.
Many delegates are already in Cairo and more are arriving daily. Delegates cancelled holiday plans months ago to come on the Gaza Freedom march and air tickets were purchased. We anticipate that virtually all of the 1,360 delegates will come to Cairo.
Because of the incredible humanitarian crisis in Gaza caused by the Israeli attack on Gaza a year ago and by the international siege on Gaza, we feel morally obligated to continue our mission to bring more international attention to the plight of the 1.5 million people imprisoned there.
I told the switchboard operator that Egypt would be performing a globally recognized humanitarian act by allowing these human rights advocates, who were congregating from around the world, to make this freedom march.
I expressed my concern for the people of Gaza and explained the overwhelming desire of people around the world that the blockade of Gaza be lifted and the people of Gaza be afforded their due dignity and human rights.
The woman working the Embassy switchboard was extremely receptive and told me their phone had been ringing off the hook from this campaign and they hadn't been able to conduct their regular duties. She shared this information with kindness, understanding and a genuine compassionate tone. It was clear to me the messages were getting through and were being well received. She said they were logging the messages and were instructed to pass them along.
I expressed my admiration for the Egyptian people and my certainty that Egypt would embrace this march and the marchers with the spirit of a nation committed to dignity, compassion, and human rights.
It is easy to march on the Israelis and Egyptians. They won't much to you.
Try marching on Hamas headquarters to protest to pretest their terrorism and oppression of Gazans.
Opps, sorry about injecting reality into conversation.....
Hamas are problematic, at least they held their end of the cease fire in the second half of 2008 - Israel never delivered on their part of the deal which was to ease the blockade. Instead they broke the cease fire and invaded Gaza in December, killing 1400 Gazans.
That's terrorism and oppression in my books. As is the blockade, which pre-dates Hamas coming to power.
* 18 mortars were fired at Israel in this period, beginning on the night of June 23.
* 20 rockets were fired, beginning on June 24, when 3 rockets hit the Israeli town of Sderot.
* On July 6 farmers working in the fields of Nahal Oz were attacked by light arms fire from Gaza.
* On the night of August 15 Palestinians fired across the border at Israeli soldiers near the Karni crossing.
* On October 31 an IDF patrol spotted Palestinians planting an explosive device near the security fence in the area of the Sufa crossing. As the patrol approached the fence the Palestinians fired two anti-tank missiles.
On Nov. 4 Hamas had dug another tunnel into Israel and was apparently about to execute an abduction plan when IDF soldiers penetrated about 250 meters into Gaza to the entrance of the tunnel, hidden under a house. Inside the house were a number of armed Hamas members, who opened fire. The Israelis fired back and the house exploded - in total 6 or 7 Hamas operatives were killed and several were wounded. Among those killed were Mazen Sa'adeh, a Hamas brigade commander, and Mazen Nazimi Abbas, a commander in the Hamas special forces unit.
It was when Israel aborted this imminent Hamas attack that the group and other Palestinian groups in Gaza escalated their violations of the ceasefire by beginning to once again barrage Israel with rockets and mortars.
Why don't they emulate Iran and march on the headquarters of their own religious police, Hamas and Islamic Jihad headquarters, throw out the Iranian spies and provocateurs in their midst . this is a much quicker road to freedom.