Salem-News.com Egypt articles Page 45

Gaza Freedom Movement Remains Determined Despite Challenges

The convoy is trying to break the siege of Gaza that Israel, with the help of Egypt, has held fast since 2007.

(CAIRO/SALEM) - The Viva Palestina aid convoy to Gaza left London on December 6th and its tireless group of activists have received serious challenges on this journey - at every bend in the road.

All they want to do is deliver vehicles, food and medicine to the people of Gaza who were decimated during Israel's several week long attack one year ago that targeted schools, hospitals and thousands of people's homes. Israel used white phosphorous to start fires and over 1,400 people died while thousands received serious injuries.

Gaza: The Next 72 Hours are Critical

Tentative plans could see the group finally reach its destination, Gaza, by January 3rd.

(CAIRO, Egypt) - Last night the group of over a thousand activists from all over the world hoping to break the siege of Gaza by delivering vehicles and much needed aid, received further info about the next critical 72 hours.

Kevin Ovenden, leader of Viva Palestina and right hand man of British MP George Galloway who is a vocal and integral part of the Free Gaza Movement, says they have a cargo ship which, weather pending, should have set sail today on a 20-hour crossing to Al-Arish.

Shoeless in Cairo

Mary Hughes-Thompson is part of the GFM convoy that has been trying to get into Gaza.

(CAIRO, Egypt) - In about an hour the Gaza Freedom Marchers in Cairo will be meeting in Tahrir Square to celebrate the beginning of 2010. January 1st will be the fifth day of my hunger strike.

It was an eventful and exhilarating day for all of us here in Cairo. This morning we began to arrive in small groups at a couple of locations in downtown Cairo, intending to join and up and begin a solidarity march to Gaza. We didn't expect to get very far.

Gaza Freedom March Rumbles Into Egyptian Security Services

Security forces have sworn that they will not let the marchers enter Gaza.

(CAIRO, Egypt) - Lines of black-clad Egyptian riot police descended upon hundreds of French activists lining up in front of a rank of riot barriers separating the street and the sidewalk in front of the French Embassy in Cairo, locking the French activists into place.

Dozens of police troop carriers lined the far side of the boulevard. Red water cannons sat behind them - palpably menacing. The French activists are part of the European Palestine solidarity group, EuroPalestine. They number about 300.

Viva Palestina Still Blocked From Reaching Gaza

The Convoy, which is made up of more than 200 vehicles, planned to reach Rafah on December 27th.

(CAIRO, Egypt AL JAZEERA) - Al Jazeera's Sohail Rahman reports and discusses Egypt's decision to block the Viva Palestina Convoy from entering Egypt at Nuweiba.

The video includes commentary from Institute of Palestinian Studies' Mouin Rabbanu and a live phone interview with George Galloway at the Jordan/Syria Jaber border crossing.

Pink Floyd`s Roger Waters Issues Message of Solidarity with The Gaza Freedom March

"Today, hundreds of thousands, tomorrow, millions, soon, hundreds of millions. We Shall Overcome" -Roger Waters

(NEW YORK ) - I am writing to express my great admiration for and solidarity with the 1,360 men and women from 42 different countries around the World who are gathering in Egypt, preparing for The Gaza Freedom March.

We all watched, aghast, the vicious attack made a year ago on the people of Gaza by Israeli armed forces and the ongoing illegal siege.

Hedy Epstein Begins Hunger Strike to Open Gaza Borders

When Hedy Epstein was a young teen her parents smuggled her away, then perished in Auschwitz in 1942. No wonder she supports the people of Gaza.

(CAIRO, Egypt) - Hedy Epstein, the 85 year old Holocaust survivor and peace activist, announced that she will begin a hunger strike today as a response to the Egyptian government’s refusal to allow the Gaza Freedom March participants into Gaza.

Ms. Epstein was part of a delegation with participants from 43 countries that were to join Palestinians in a non-violent march from Northern Gaza towards the Erez border with Israel calling for the end of the illegal siege.

Gaza Freedom Marchers Maintain Pressure in Cairo for Border Opening

Activists are keeping up the pressure with the intent that Egypt should open the border and allow the convoy to go to Gaza.

(CAIRO, Egypt) - The Gaza Freedom March is being held up by the Egyptian government after all, in spite of word issued a few days ago that Egypt had changed its position on allowing entry into Gaza.

It has been one year since the Israeli military decimated the people of Gaza in retaliation for Hamas rocket attacks that killed a small number of Israeli people, approximately seven. In retaliation, Israel unleashed an attack involving illegal weapons and specific targeting of ambulance crews and schools.

Egypt Allows Humanitarian Viva Palestina Convoy to Enter Gaza

Government of Egypt changes policy to allow humanitarian group Viva Palestina to enter Gaza December 27, 2009.

(CAIRO, Egypt) - Members of the Gaza Freedom March are congratulating the Government of Egypt on its change of policy to allow international missions into Gaza during December.

The decision will allow the Viva Palestina convoy to go into Gaza on December 27, 2009.

Egypt Seeks to Halt Gaza Peace March

"The blockade of Gaza has brought death, destruction, pain and suffering to the people there. The international community must not ignore their cries for help" - Former US President Jimmy Carter

(JERUSALEM) - Using the pretext of escalating tensions on the Gaza-Egypt border, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry stated yesterday that the Rafah border will be closed over the coming weeks, into January.

The group behind the Gaza Freedom March responded, "We do not feel threatened, 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 1,300 delegates coming from over 42 countries to change their plans now. We both agreed to continue our exchanges."