European supporters of Gaza ask their embassies in Cairo for help to get to the Strip

Free Gaza activists are being prevented by the Egyptian authorities from travelling to El-Arish, from where they had hoped to go to Gaza through the Rafah crossing on the first anniversary of Israel’s assault on the Gaza Strip. A source close to the solidarity group, which is against the illegal separation wall, the inhuman blockade and the brutal war on Palestinians in Gaza, has said that the Egyptian security forces seek to humiliate those of the group who speak Arabic, but back off when they realise that they are in fact European nationals speaking European languages; they then treat them with a modicum of respect.

The head of the delegation from the Conference of Palestinians in Europe, Amin Abu Rashid, told Quds Press, “We try to avoid speaking in Arabic to the security services, because they humiliate us, although such contact is limited.” He confirmed that members of the Gaza solidarity group are seeking diplomatic help to achieve their peaceful aim. “There has been an agreement that each activist will turn to his or her embassy in Cairo and demand assistance to get to Gaza,” he said. French activists have been holding a constant vigil outside their embassy since Sunday, with tents and sleeping bags. So, according to Mr. Abu Rashid, will the Americans, the Dutch, the Italians, the Greeks and others, outside their respective embassies.

Abu Rashid also said that more than two thousand Europeans in solidarity with Gaza intended to organize a hunger strike in Liberation Square as part of the protest against the visit to Cairo by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Source: Quds Press