Egypt an accomplice in anti-Palestinian policies – Graffitti
Leftist organisation Moviment Graffitti yesterday staged a press conference outside the Egyptian embassy in Ta’ Xbiex, in order to draw the public’s attention to the recent violent crackdown on peaceful demonstrations held in Egypt by international activists in solidarity with Palestine.
Graffitti activist Lana Turner has just returned from Egypt, where she joined 1,400 other activists with the intention of joining the people of Gaza in a solidarity march to mark the Israeli bombardments which took place a year ago.
However, notwithstanding the fact that the organisers of this march had been working for months on gaining the necessary permits for the activity, on arrival to Egypt the activists found awaiting them hundreds of Egyptian police and soldiers who, through threats and violence, tried to stop them from showing any signs of solidarity with Palestine.
On their arrival in Cairo, the activists were informed that they would not be allowed to demonstrate or to join the march in Gaza.
The police also stopped symbolic expressions of solidarity, such as the placing of floating candles and flowers in the river Nile. Some activists, including Lana Turner, tried to go to Rafah and Al Arish, the towns bordering Gaza. Those at Al Arish were even prevented by the Egypt authorities from leaving their hotels.
Together with other activists, Turner managed to arrive in Rafah but, at a military checkpoint, they were forced to come out of the car, had their passports confiscated and were kept for a whole night under arrest in the middle of the desert.
Egyptian soldiers also used violence on some of the activists. Back in Al Arish, the activists staged a spontaneous protest in favour of Gaza. Many Egyptians came out of their homes and shops to show their support for the protest. However, police started beating and threatening all those who were making signs of support. Meanwhile, those who remained in Cairo also gathered and staged a peaceful protest, but again, this was stopped by physical violence and abuse against the activists and supporters.
“We fully condemn this behaviour from the Egyptian government,” Moviment Graffitti said yesterday. “The fact that freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly were blatantly violated clearly shows that the government led by Hosni Mubarak is nothing but a dictatorship. Maybe the only difference from some of the other dictators is that the Egyptian government has the support of many Western countries, first of all the United States. We are also requesting that the Maltese government files an official complaint with the Egyptian government over the treatment of international activists in Egypt.”
Graffitti also expressed concern at the fact that Egypt is constructing a wall along the border with Gaza, apparently in order to stop the entry of basic necessities in this area. “Since 2005, Gaza has endured a siege, from both the Israeli and the Egyptian side. This means that the people of Gaza have continuously to endure incredible suffering, lacking the most basic necessities for a decent living such as food and medicine,” the NGO said. “The situation in Gaza became tragic after the Israeli bombardments one year ago that left hundreds of civilians dead, thousands injured and complete destruction. Even after these bombardments the Gaza blockade continued, meaning that persons who have gone through such an experience still have to live without the most basic necessities. Presently the few things that enter Gaza go through the Egyptian side. However, if this wall is built it can mean that even these things might stop from reaching this area, with the result that the people of Gaza will be left without any means for survival. It is shameful that the government of Hosni Mubarak is not caring about the lives of the people in Gaza, only to keep his political and military power through the provision of financial and military aid from Israel and the United States.”
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