Gaza Freedom March Wrap Up

I'm sure its going to take me some time to process everything that has happened in Cairo with the Gaza Freedom March over the past week or so but here are some of my initial thoughts and feelings. Bear in mind, these are my own opinions and reflections and they surely are not the same as the 1300 other people who were in Cairo. So for what its worth - here it goes:

This whole political experience here with CODEPINK, for me, has been honestly disappointing and angering. I'm going to be honest here, I did not participate in many of the protests that took place in Cairo because I had serious issues with the way everything was being handled and the way that the March really seemed to have fallen apart and unraveled once everyone realized that our chances of getting into Gaza were really slim to none. From the very first meeting that was held in Tahrir Square, the individuals who were going to be staying in Gaza longer (past January 2nd) were told to not participate in any of these demonstrations because if we did somehow come up with a way to get into Gaza, if we had any record or history with problems with the Egyptians - this would effectively eliminate any chance of us getting in. People told us to completely "disassociate from the March" and that because Egypt is not a democracy, "nothing we do will change their minds" - which sadly, ended up being quite true despite how often people demonstrated, were barricaded in by people, and some even beaten up. Moral of the story: This is not the U.S., they don't care that you're Americans, and we did not fly thousands of miles to protest in Egypt.

Aside from this though, there were so many critical problems with the way things were being done and decisions were being made that I really felt uncomfortable with doing anything that GFM was doing in Cairo.

I felt as though there was no insight to the way the Egyptian government works, or the greater public opinion in Egypt, at all. We cannot simply think that a country, who has religiously served the agenda of the U.S. and Israel, will do a complete 360 and open the borders when a group of activists show up, no matter how big. Anyone who has any familiarity with the politics of this conflict, know that Egypt's role in ensuring the Palestinian suffering is not a new or novel concept. Given that, the fact that CODEPINK did not prepare for the very unsurprising setback that Egypt delivered by closing its borders, really baffled me. When we got news on Monday, that the borders were going to be closed and no one would enter, I figured that this was a very expected move (especially after news of Egypt's steel wall just was released as well) and that the steering committee and whoever else also saw this coming and that surely back up plans and strategies were on hand now that Egypt played its cards. But after a couple days when everyone started arriving and it was time to figure out what we were going to do, it just seemed like these small fragmented actions (the hunger strike here, french sit-in there) were things that groups were doing on their own, hardly with any support from the mass collective. There was no unified message besides come out in the streets and protest. It felt like everyone kind of went their own way and that now instead of focusing on the occupation we were going to go after the Egyptian government - which as much as I have issues with that they are doing and how they add to the Palestinian suffering - that is not why I came here.

Lets clarify something here. As much as I hate Egypt, Egypt is NOT occupying the Palestinian territories. ISRAEL is. I mean, to a certain degree, by doing of all this, I feel, we took a lot of heat off of Israel b/c the press coverage just shows a bunch of people demonstrating in Cairo, which is giving the message that we have a problem with Egypt for what they are doing wrong when we were here to raise awareness of the ISRAELI OCCUPATION and Operation Cast Lead which was carried out by ISRAEL one year ago. Why are people shouting "Free Egypt" at the demonstrations? It makes no sense, we had no focus.

I want to believe that GFM tried to do the best that it could, given the circumstances, but honestly it just led to many people feeling as if they had to do something, anything, since we weren't being allowed in Gaza. Don't get me wrong, I am a firm believer in public resistance and demonstrating, even getting arrested when its necessary, etc - but you cannot do these things without tons of planning, proper escalation tactics leading up to massive direct action like that, and a solid SOLID solid foundation in Egypt (resources, connections, lawyers, etc) for the people that do take those risks. Otherwise, you just end up looking like a bunch of stupid foreigners (mostly Americans) who are protesting, sitting in, going on hunger strike - for what? We came here to deliver aid and stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people in Gaza - if that was not going to happen then we could have held all of these actions back in our home towns where we know how things work, we know what resources we have, and we can accurately assess what type of risk we are willing to take for this dire cause. After these past few days, I feel that all we've done is agitate Egypt for a brief period of time, spent a lot of money fueling this unjust country's economy, and made the daily lives of the Egyptian people harder.

When our plans fell through, and it did not seem like we were going to get in, there should have been a massive meeting/discussion with a vote with all of the delegates who have come from around the world as to what we think would be the best thing to do. But when people were told to figure it out and come up with ideas, you had serious fragmentation and people, like the French delegates, who were occupying the area in front of the Embassy feeling like they did not have support or instances like when the entire Japanese delegation just left after the first day for the West Bank. All I've been asking myself these past few days is "What the hell is going on?" and "What is all of this?". And to tell the truth, I still really don't know because I don't think GFM really even knows.

The "100 people to Gaza" stunt was also another fiasco that only further divided this group and our efforts. At first, CODEPINK accepts this offer and takes credit for it since the women went and talked to Suzanne Mubarak. They come up with a list in a very short time of these people who would get to go, not realizing what a bad mistake this is. After a few hour, they do realize its a bad idea, send out an official message saying how they have 'rejected' this offer, and yet, lo and behold people STILL got on the buses and went? Again, "What is going on?"

I realize that this has gotten really long already and these are just some of my preliminary thoughts from the past few days. As of right now this is how I feel: as much as I'd like to really blame fully the repressive Egyptian dictatorship for the Gaza Freedom March falling apart and not succeeding, I believe that CODEPINK, and the same old foreign arrogance/ignorance we have, has a lot to do with it this time as well. Sadly, the Palestinian people are still under occupation and I wish the best of luck to the VIVA Palestina convoys who seem to have a better grasp on how to deal with all this nonsense than we do.

Until later, free free Palestine,

-Sana

Gaza Freedom March Rejects Egypts Offer

http://english.aljazeera.net//news/middleeast/2009/12/2009123061947605152.html

So really late last night we got word that Egypt was going to allow two buses today of only 100 people to go to Gaza. Originally the GFM, said okay we'll accept and then tried to come up with a 'fair' list of people from the different countries within a short period of time. This really upset a lot of people (myself included) and one of the students said it best that "This is the Gaza Freedom March, not the Gaza Freedom Bus". A lot of delegations, from New York, Switzerland, etc, decided to completely relinquish their spaces on the bus because of how unjust this was. I agree with them that we should not accept this petty offering especially when 1300 people have come to Cairo to go to Gaza and that this seems like a slight offering to get Egypt off the hook.

Well, fortunately, GFM understood and agreed with these criticisms also and they have all refused to get on the buses and go because its not fair, its not what we came to do, and if 100 people can go then all 1300 should be able to go.

These next fews days are going to be insane so I'll keep you all posted as best as I can.

Peace,

Sana

Feteer Is Delicious.

So today I went to meet up with Matt and his mom Patty at the Extended Stay contingency meeting but it turns out that was cancelled, and my guess is its because of what was going down at the UN earlier in the morning. I guess I should have known it was going to turn out bad when my cab driver, Mohammed, got lost for like 45 minutes trying to find the Sun Hotel :/

So then the three of us went for a bit to Islamic Cairo and saw the Sultan Hassan Mosque which was just epic. I'll post pictures as soon as facebook starts cooperating w/ my computer here in Egypt but until then you'll have to believe me when I say I was at a loss for words.

I then went with Sherif and Rania to Khan el-Khalili and bought a few things. And they, being the super amazing people they are, bought me a birthday present which in fact turns out to be this ring that said "Allah" which we looked at in one of the stores/stands and the shopkeeper was being really difficult so I left it and it so happened that when Rania went to the "bathroom" she went and bought the ring for me. It was honestly the nicest thing ever, and I can understand now why the two of them are a couple because they are both such sweet people. I am so lucky to know people like that, alhumdulilah. They are really great :)

Afterwards we went to eat and I finally tried fateer/feteer (however you spell it) and it was sooo delicious. Oh my goodness. Its like this doughy pie but with different fillings like cheese or meat and we had one with cheese, one with meat, and another one with chocolate. Both the cheese and meat one were amazing but unfortunately the chocolate one had a fly in it so we didn't eat it haha

Maybe next time :)

I posted below the plan for tomorrow and I'm really excited for the day especially the Netanyahu protest. I've tried to keep a low profile in terms of political action so far but I think given that Netanyahu is coming and that Egypt needs to be held just as accountable as Israel for the suffering of Palestinians - whether by shutting out Viva Palestina in Aqaba or Gaza Freedom March in Cairo - I think its time to escalate.

I've been really confused as to what direction GFM is really going in because the wall (no pun intended) that we keep running into w/ Egypt has really fragmented the groups efforts. I'm sure you all have heard/read about the French delegates that are sitting in right now in front of the French Embassy, and the hunger strike led by the Ms. Epstein the 85 year old Holocaust survivor, but nothing as a solid group has been done yet. Well nothing until this Netanyahu protest so far. So I'm excited to show our numbers and stand our ground.

Bismillah.

This one's for Gaza,

Sana.

Don't Tell Me You Thought This Was Over -

Gaza Freedom March URGENT UPDATE

December 29, 2009

9:30 am - 12 noon: Embassy visits

11 am: Press Briefing including hunger striker Hedy Epstein

2 pm: Hunger Strikers Hold Candle Light Vigil


6 pm: Protest of Netanyahu's visit with Egyptian groups

This will be a demonstration against Netanyahu's visit to Cairo and Egypt's role in the siege on Gaza. Egyptian activists are calling for international solidarity, which is vital in showing those in power that we will not be deterred by their attempts to divide us and that we, Egyptians and internationals side by side with Palestinians, will stand fast in our opposition to the crippling Israeli siege on Gaza and Egypt's complicity in it.

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Here is a message of solidarity from Roger Waters of Pink Floyd:

A message of solidarity with THE GAZA FREEDOM MARCH

27 December 2009

My name is Roger Waters. I am an English musician living in the USA. I am
writing to express my great admiration for and solidarity with the 1360 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. The suffering wrought on the
population of Gaza by both the invasion and the siege is unimaginable to us
outside the walls. The aim of The Freedom March is to focus world attention
on the plight of the Palestinian people in Gaza in the hope that the scales will
fall from the eyes of all, ordinary, decent people round the world, that they
may see the enormity of the crimes that have been committed, and demand
that their governments bring all possible pressure to bear on Israel to lift the
siege.

I use the word 'crimes' advisedly, as both the siege and the invasion have
been declared unlawful by United Nations bodies and leading human rights
organizations. If we do not all observe international law, if some
governments think themselves above it, it is but a few short, dark, steps to
barbarism and anarchy.

The Gaza Freedom March is a beacon to all those of us who believe that
under the skin, we are all brothers and sisters, who must stand shoulder to
shoulder, if we are to make a future where all have recourse to law and
universal human rights. Where life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is
not just the preserve of the few. All the oil in The Middle East is not worth
one child's life. So to those of you who march, I tip my hat. It is a brave and
noble thing you do, and when you reach your goal please tell our Palestinian
brothers and sisters, that out here, beyond the Walls of their Prison, stand
hundreds of thousands of us in solidarity with them. Today, hundreds of
thousands, tomorrow, millions, soon, hundreds of millions. We Shall
Overcome.

Roger Waters

What's Going on in Cairo Tomorrow

Right NOW: "As we are writing this hundreds of French delegates are camped outside the French Embassy, pitching tents and sleeping bags on the sidewalk, chanting "Palestine Freedom!" The French Ambassador and his wife are outside negotiating with the delegates and the police and Egyptian authorities. It is a powerful action and the French invite solidarity and support - come wherever you can! This is a critical situation and the police are surrounding the group. Check it out if you can. We will send out an update when possible"

11 am - Press Conference

12 pm - Action @ UN / Beginning of Gaza Freedom March hunger strike

3 pm - Women's Contingency Delivers Letter to H.E. Suzanne Mubarak

A group of individuals from Anarchists Against the Wall were arrested for demonstrating the Occupation at the Erez border. They have since been released.

:::

Police detain 16 leftists on Gaza border

http://www.ynetnews.com/Ext/Comp/ArticleLayout/CdaArticlePrintPreview/1,2506,L-3825757,00.html

Activists marking one year since launch of IDF offensive protest Israeli blockade, prevented from entering Strip. Israel continues to perpetuate destruction, suffering,' one of them says
Anat Shalev

Police detained 16 left-wing activists as they were trying to cross into Gaza on Sunday to mark the one year anniversary of Operation Cast Lead.

Chief Superintendent Shimon Nahmani, commander of the Sderot police station, said the leftists held a rally without prior authorization.

United Nations

Ban: Year after war, sense of hopelessness in Gaza / Yitzhak Benhorin On one year anniversary of Operation Cast Lead, UN chief issues statement calling for end to 'unacceptable' Israeli blockade, says residents of coastal enclave denied basic human rights Full Story

"We detained them and had to employ a reasonable amount of force, but we didn’t beat anyone," he said. "They are currently being interrogated at the station, and may be charged with entering a closed military zone without a permit and holding an illegal demonstration."

Several dozen left-wing activists took part in the protest against the Israeli blockade on the Hamas-ruled territory, claiming it was hindering Gaza's rehabilitation.

Adar Grievsky of the "Anarchist against the Wall" group said, "We began walking southward on the beach towards Gaza, but near Zikim large police and IDF forces prevented us from crossing (into Gaza).

"A year after Israel killed 1,400 people during the Cast Lead war, Israel continues to perpetuate destruction and suffering by preventing rehabilitation and denying the transfer of construction materials to Gaza," said the activist.

According to Grievsky, the purpose of the march was to "convey the message that as citizens living in this country, we find the situation intolerable and we must resist it."

One of the protestors claimed that one of the leftists was beaten by police.

22nd Birthday in Cairo <3

If you haven't read already, I published a press release that was sent out earlier today notifying everyone that people affiliated with the Gaza Freedom March were put under house arrest temporarily in hotel in al-Arish and also several people who were trying to leave al-Arish were detained and were still in prison at least up until the afternoon.

The silent candle light vigil that was held today by the lawyers union ended in a really ugly way when the group of mostly local Egyptian nationals were not only surrounded by state security but then also beaten up for holding the memorial.

The 4:30 p.m. memorial that was supposed to take place in dozens of boats on the Nile also encountered many complications when we found out that we weren't allowed to rent or board any of the boats so that we could place the 1400 candles along the Nile. We ended up rallying in front of the Nile anyway, and of course tons of police came and within an hour we also saw these massive armored trucks starting to show up (kind of like the type the SWAT team in the U.S. use) and so pretty soon we dispersed because we clearly did not want to be rounded up and thrown into trucks and taken to jail.

At the 7:30 meeting at Al-Mogamma we also found out the news that the bus company who we had a reservation to take everyone in the March to al-Arish would not be able to any longer because the Egyptian government threatened to revoke their licenses and shut down their business entirely if they took us. So needless to say, we can no longer go. Also - this just might be my inner conspiracy theorist in me speaking - but I am convinced that this place has to be swarming with spies and the like. Its just too political to not be and some people have been super shady, too.

All of these things are so unreal to me right now. I knew that our political presence and demonstrating in Egypt were not really welcome, especially to a government that could care less about public opinion and freedom of speech, but seriously - beating people up? detaining them for hours? shutting down entire companies? Furthermore, we don't WANT to stay in Egypt any longer than we have to. Even though I have my issues with the Egyptian government, I did not come here this time for them and I'm sure as hell that neither did the rest of the 1300+ people. We came to stand with the Palestinians, deliver aid, and bring back their stories. Sigh.

It sounds like Egypt has taken a page out of Israel's book and is acting in an eerily familiar way when people that challenge the state and wish to exercise their "right" to free speech. Its so sad and outrageous at the same time.

As far as getting into Gaza is concerned, things aren't looking so well to be honest. The latest that I have heard is that Rafah will be opening on January 3rd, 4th, and 5th, for the Viva Palestina convoy and we're hoping that this generosity might be inclusive of all internationals as well. That is really the only hope that I really see remaining of us getting into Gaza because other than that everything is looking pretty bleak. I know that some of the other subdivisions within the March like the students group and the interfaith group might hold smaller solidarity actions in strategic locations in Egypt but I'm not really sure what those might be. I'm also uncertain to what the outcomes for those will be as well seeing as how some of the other, quite simple things, have taken such a bad turn.

So today it was my 22nd birthday :) I was honestly a bit homesick because its hard to celebrate when all your loved ones are away but it was still a good day, alhumdulilah.

So I slept in today and ended up missing the 11 a.m. vigil that was planned on the Nile Bridge. Turns out though, that police ended up breaking up the memorial anyway and removed what the people had put up there to commemorate those lives lost in the Gaza Massacre.

I later went to the 4:30 p.m. memorial on the Nile and luckily I ran into Matt and his mom, Patty, who are also from the DMV and so afterwards we grabbed a quick bite to eat before the 7:30 meeting at al-Mogamma.

After that I met up with Sherif and Rania, who are probably two of the nicest people in the world, and for my birthday we went to get some Koshary and mango juice from Farghali. I am so extremely stuffed right now even after eating like 4 hours ago. I love the food here :) I was also telling Efo, that Cairo really feels like a city where everyone is in love. You see couples all the time, sitting along the Nile, holding hands, "canoodling" lol, and just being super romantic - its really adorable.

I think Efo made a really good point though that people are this way because being in love or spending time with a significant other is really one of the few ways the people can escape briefly from a harsh reality of stark class structure/privilege and intense political oppression. It honestly makes a lot of sense too and in some ways its a beautiful surprise back to reality because even in countries or places, very much like Palestine, people still live and time goes on. So as strange as it might seem at first, even under occupation and repression, people fall in love, get married, give birth, and/or celebrate birthdays. At the end of the day, we all just to be normal and to be human, and love is one of the few things that survives amidst the most harshest of surroundings. So tonight, I'm sending lots of love your way. xox

Thinking of Gaza and Palestine, always.

-Sana J.

GFM & West Bank Solidarity :)

Peace peace,

Here is some great news of support and love from the West Bank for Gaza and the Gaza Freedom March.

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Together, We Will Break The Siege of Gaza!

International Call to Action from the Bilin Popular Committee

Egypt has announced that the Rafah border into Gaza will be closed over the coming weeks to the 1,300 international delegates attempting to march in solidarity with the people of occupied Palestine. A historic march will still take place on the anniversary of Israel’s horrific Cast Lead massacre that killed over 1,400 people one year ago. The powerful and diverse collaboration of international support must now choose its response to this horrific injustice. Will you stand waiting permission at the gates of Gaza? We say that you need not wait; if Egypt will not open their border, then the time for action is now. We encourage and support the escalation of non-violent direct action. It is up to you to take the next steps. It is no surprise that Egypt is not allowing the march to continue, so the natural progression towards a victory over this injustice is creative tactical escalation. If you cannot march on the roads then set up camp and sleep in them instead, fast in solidarity with the people who are dying of starvation, refuse to be stopped by their temporary boundaries. We can look to the lessons, the creativity, and the determination of our sister and brothers from historical resistance movements. We are the voice of the voiceless, the arms of those physically held captive, the eyes of those blinded by hate. There are those of us who resist because we have no choice, we resiist to live. And there are those of us who know that no one is free until we are all free, and we use our bodies and the privilege of out relative freedom to resist oppression in all its forms.
There is no time for words without action. Here in Bil’in, we will be demonstrating in solidarity with Gaza, and all those trying to enter. Do not stop at Rafah to break the siege of Gaza.

Thank you for you continued support,

Iyad Burnat- Head of Popular Commitee in Bilin
co-founder of Friends of Freedom and Justice - Bilin

القاهرة - Day 4! - Beeramids!!

So today after the super fun Christmas party we went to the one and only Pyramids in Giza! Rana, Amira, and I all left early in afternoon/late morning and we drove to Giza and it was seriously sooo much fun. Although very very touristy, I had such a blast. We had a really great tour guide named Ahmed (of course - like almost every other man in Egypt) and he was really nice took loads of fun pictures of us and told us neats things along the way.

I'm uploading the pictures to facebook as we speak (or as I type) so if we're not friends add me and you can see pictures not just from today's adventures at the Pyramids but also pictures from the past few days :)

We saw all 9 of the pyramids - 3 big ones and 6 little ones. We also saw the tombs for the workers who helped build the pyramids, too. It was so much fun though because we rode on horses and camels the whole way. On the way through everything I rode the camel whose name, very non-coincidentally was Ali Baaba lol (and apparently he loves the ladies), and Amira and Rana rode horses. On the way back, Rana and I switched and I rode a horse back and her name was Mish-Mish (aka the cutest thing ever). Amira's horse's name was Ghazelle and she was hilarious because she just did whatever the heck she felt like doing. I don't know if I liked the horse or the camel better, maybe the horse a little bit more since it didn't hurt as much haha, but they were both a ton of fun and soo adorable. We also got to see the Sphinx, a place that sold "original" Papyrus haha, and a lotus flower perfume place. The best part of our way back though had to have been the store that was called "Ankel Sam Store for Berfoume" hahaha :P

After the Pyramids, we were starving so we drove back and tried to go eat at this restaurant on the Nile but that didn't work because it was a military place and I was American and no foreigners were allowed so we ended up eating at Fridays on the Nile and it was really gorgeous. We got there around Maghrib so the sun was setting and it was just beautiful to be so close to the water, watching the sunset, and eating tons of food because Rana and I were literally starving since that was the first time we had eaten all day.

Afterwards we came home, I took a quick nap, and then Efo and Ranya picked me up and we were originally going to go to Khan el-Khalili but it ended up being later than we thought and it was going to close soon so we went to this rooftop place to just hangout and even though it had the shadiest elevator probably in the world (it had no door at all ahaha) it was really a great view of the Nile and the Cairo skyline.

Well tomorrow is actually my birthday :) and I'm both excited to celebrate it in Cairo and also slightly homesick and missing all my loves back in the States. If any of you are reading this - I am sending lots of love your way and hope you're doing the same :) At the same time, on a much sadder note, the 27th of December also commemorates the day that Israel began attacking Gaza last year and its been a really difficult year for the people of Gaza and there are no signs of anything improving at all right now either.

I know there are going to be several solidarity actions around Cairo tomorrow (I posted a press release of one earlier tonight) where 1400 candles will be lit and placed on the Nile to remember each one of the people that were killed during the invasion. We recently received some (cross your fingers) good news that Egypt *MIGHT* be opening the borders, of course nothing is confirmed and this just might be a rumor, but that means that we are going to try and bus over to al-Arish on Monday morning, the 28th, to see if we can get in.

These past few days in Cairo have been downright amazing, and I've got to make some amazing friends and see really beautiful things ranging from everything to funny signs in English to the grandeur of the pyramids - Cairo really has a unique essence and I doubt any other city could imitate it. It really is beautiful. With that said though, I'm really anxious to see Gaza and really do what I came here to do. I know that it might not be possible and I might have to stay in Cairo, which is perfectly fine because the people, the culture, and the city are absolutely great but this trip would really feel incomplete without setting foot in Gaza, without raising my voice, without taking a stand, and without showing the world that one year later we remember, and we still stand with the Palestinian people.

Please send all of your positive energy, prayers, thoughts, love, and wishes our way the next few days. We really need them, and the people of Gaza and Palestine really need them.

Inshallah Inshallah Inshallah Inshallah Inshallah Inshallah Inshallah Inshallah Inshallah Inshallah Inshallah I will be in Gaza in 2 days. Now that, would be the best birthday present. ever.

In struggle,

Sana

GFM Marks 1st Anniversary of Gaza Invasion

Gaza Freedom Marchers mark first anniversary of Gaza invasion

WHAT: Gaza Freedom Marchers Remember Gaza's dead by floating candles on the Nile

WHEN: Sunday, December 27, 4:30 pm gather at Cairo's Garden City Nile Cornice

(next to the Grand Hyatt and opposite the Four Seasons.) to take feluccas at sunset.

(Cairo) - On December 27^th, 2009, marking one year since the brutal Israeli invasion of Gaza, members of the Gaza Freedom March in Cairo will place 1,400 candles in the Nile River to commemorate the dead.

The Gaza Freedom Marchers had hoped to be in Gaza to commemorate the war, but access to Rafah is being denied by the Egyptian authorities. The Marchers, coming from 43 countries, have appealed to President Mubarak to allow them to proceed.

The delegation includes families of three generations, doctors, lawyers, diplomats, students, artists, rabbis, priests, imams, a women delegation, a Jewish contingent, a veterans group and Palestinians born overseas. The coalition spent seven months planning for their trip to Gaza. As they flood into Cairo with a longing to reach Gaza, they plan to remember the besieged strip while being trapped here.

"We mark this date, December 27, with great saddess for those killed and wounded, and we call on the world's leaders to hold Israel accountable," said Medea Benjamin of the Gaza Freedom March. "We also call on Israel and Egypt to lift the blockade that is causing so much suffering in Gaza."

يتذكراعضاء مسيرة الحرية لغزة ضحايا القطاع بالقاء الشموع في مياه النيل يوم الاحد ٢٧ ديسمبر في الساعة الرابعة و النصف مساء في كورنيش جاردن سيتي بالقرب من فندق جراند حياة و امام فندق الفور سيسونز حيث نقطة التجمع لاخذ مراكب شراعية في النيل. يوم ٢٧ ديسمبر ٢٠٠٩ يمثل مرور عام علي حرب اسرائيل علي غزة. سوف يلقي اعضاء مسيرة الحرية لغزة ١٤٠٠ شمعة في النيل في ذكري ضحايا الحرب. كان اعضاء المسيرة يتمنون ان يحيوا ذاكرة الحرب في غزة و لكن السلطات المصرية قد منعتهم من الوصول الي رفح. و قد طالب اعضاء المسيرة من الرئيس المصري محمد حسني مبارك تغيير موقف الحكومة. يضم الوفد اسر من ثلاث اجيال من دكاترة و محامين و دبلوماسيين و طلبة و فنانين و شيوخ و رهبان و وفد نسائي و وفد يهودي و فلسطنيين ولدوا بالخارج. تم التنظيم للمسيرة لمدة سبعة اشهر وبينما وصل الكثيرون بتطلع لدخول غزة فانهم سوف يتذكرون الحرب الاليمة و هم في مصر. تقول ميديا بنجامين من مسيرة الحرية لغزة: في هذا التاريخ ٢٧ ديسمبر نتذكر بحزن عميق ضحايا الحرب من جرحي و قتلي و نطالب زعماء العالم بمحاسبة اسرائيل. كما نطالب مصر و اسرائيل برفع الحصار المتسبب في معاناة الشعب الفلسطيني في غزة.

Gaza Freedom March Letter to President Mubarak

I'm not quite sure what the outcome of all of this will be with regards to us getting into Gaza or not. Honestly as the days go by, I feel like it is less and less of a possibility but I still have hope and I'm trying to be as optimistic as possible even when the Egyptian government is not cooperating with us at all.

Either way, I know there will be various actions and things done in Cairo in solidarity with the Palestinians but its sad to see that something as simple as a peaceful demonstration would be so over complicated. Ugh, Egypt...

-Sana

- - -

OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT MUBARAK FROM THE GAZA FREEDOM MARCH

December 25, 2009

Dear President Mubarak;

We, representing 1,362 individuals from 43 countries arriving in Cairo to participate in the Gaza Freedom March, are pleading to the Egyptians and your reputation for hospitality.

We are peacemakers. We have not come to Egypt to create trouble or cause conflict. On the contrary. We have come because we believe that all people -- including the Palestinians of Gaza -- should have access to the resources they need to live in dignity. We have gathered in Egypt because we believed that you would welcome and support our noble goal and help us reach Gaza through your land.

As individuals who believe in justice and human rights, we have spent our hard-earned, and sometimes scarce, resources to buy plane tickets, book hotel rooms and secure transportation only to stand in solidarity with the Palestinians of Gaza living under a crushing Israeli blockade.

We are doctors, lawyers, students, academics, poets and musicians. We are young and old. We are Muslims, Christians, Jews, Buddhists and secular. We represent civil society groups in many countries who coordinated this large project with the civil society in Gaza.

We have raised tens of thousands of dollars for medical aid, school supplies and winter clothing for the children of Gaza. But we realize that in addition to material aid, the Palestinians of Gaza need moral support. We came to offer that support on the difficult anniversary of an invasion that brought them so much suffering.

The idea of the Gaza Freedom March—a nonviolent march to the Israeli Erez crossing-- emerged during one of our trips to Gaza in May, a trip that was kindly facilitated by the Egyptian government. Ever since the idea emerged, we have been talking to your government through your embassies overseas and directly with your Foreign Ministries. Your representatives have been kind and supportive. We were asked to furnish information about all the participants—passports, dates of birth, occupations—which we have done in good faith. We have answered every question, met every request. For months we have been working under the assumption that your government would facilitate our passage, as it has done on so many other occasions. We waited and waited for an answer.

Meanwhile, time was getting short and we had to start organizing. Travel over the Christmas season is not easy in the countries where many of us live. Tickets have to be purchased weeks, if not months, in advance. This is what all 1,362 individuals did. They spent their own funds or raised money from their communities to pay their way. Add to this the priceless time, effort and sacrifice by all these people to be away from their homes and loved ones during their festive season.

In Gaza, civil society groups—students, unions, women, farmers, refugee groups—have been working nonstop for months to organize the march. They have organized workshops, concerts, press conferences, endless meetings—all of this with their own scarce resources. They have been buoyed by the anticipated presence of so many global citizens coming to support their just cause.

If the Egyptian government decides to prevent the Gaza Freedom March, all this work and cost is lost.

And that's not all. It is practically impossible, this late in the game, to stop all these people from travelling to Egypt, even if we wanted to. Moreover, most have no plans in Egypt other than to arrive at a predetermined meeting point to head together to the Gaza border. If these plans are cancelled there will be a lot of unjustified suffering for the Palestinians of Gaza and over a thousand internationals who had nothing in mind but noble intentions.

We plead to you to let the Gaza Freedom March continue so that we can join the Palestinians of Gaza to march together on December 31, 2009.

We are truly hopeful that we will receive a positive response from you and thank you for your assistance.

Sincerely

Tighe Barry, Gaza Freedom March coordinator
Medea Benjamin, CODEPINK, USA
Kawthar Guediri, Collectif National pour une Paix Juste et Durable entre Palestinens et Israeliens, France
Mark Johnson, Fellowship of Reconciliation
Alessandra Mecozzi, Action for Peace-Italy
Germano Monti, Forum Palestine, Italy
Ehab Lotayef, Gaza Freedom March, Canada
Ziyaad Lunat, Gaza Freedom March, Europe
Thomas Sommer, Focus on The Global South, India
David Torres, ABP, Belgium
Ann Wright, Gaza Freedom March coordinator
Olivia Zemor, Euro-Palestine, France

Why We Fight.

Amnesty International and several other human rights organizations and groups from the international community released a report today on how the world has failed the people of Gaza by not acting more strongly to shatter this brutal occupation.

I cannot believe how timely the release of such a strong report is, especially with the Gaza Freedom March. I hope this will answer the "why" and "what for" questions when people ask why it is not time for action - great action, to end this inhumanity. This is why the Gaza Freedom March is critical because while the diplomats and the Prime Ministers have stopped paying attention - we haven't. The people of Gaza have not forgotten their loved ones who were so ruthlessly murdered in the name of 'defense', their suffering has not lessened by any degree whatsoever, and the culprits behind all of this brutality are not only not being held accountable, their crimes against humanity are completely ignored. What kind of world is this?! While they all may have forgotten, the people of Gaza, of Palestine, have not and neither have we.

We have not, we will not, and we will not be silent by any measure.

It is time for this occupation to end, it is time for the inhumanity to stop, it is time, it is time, it is time.

Read the report and the articles here:

Aid agencies have strongly criticised the international community for failing to help bring an end to Israel's blockade of Gaza.

The charities made the accusation in a report published just ahead of the anniversary of Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip.

The aid agencies condemn not just Israel, but the world community.

In the words of Oxfam's director, Jeremy Hobbs, "world powers have failed and betrayed Gaza's ordinary citizens".

The charities call for more pressure to be exerted on Israel to end what they describe as its illegal collective punishment of Gazans.

Gazans despair over blockade Gaza voices: Life under blockade Guide: Gaza under blockade

Israel imposed a tightened blockade after the Islamist Hamas movement seized power two-and-a-half years ago.

That was bad enough, say the aid agencies.

Matters became that much worse after the destruction caused by the Israeli offensive in Gaza earlier this year.

The report points to an acute shortage, in particular, of building materials.

A spokesman for the Israeli prime minister told the BBC that Israel remains committed to humanitarian supplies of food, medicine and power.

But he said that sanctions will remain in place as long as Hamas is committed to destroying Israel and killing Israelis.

Finally Arrived in Cairo - Alhumdulilah!

Alhumdulilah (Thank God), I have finally arrived in Cairo! :D

I left D.C. Monday around 10:30 and have arrived in Cairo around Tuesday at 9 p.m. and needless to say that was the longest bit of travelling I have ever done. I took a bus to New York, then the shuttle to JFK, then a flight to Amman, Jordan, and then another flight to Cairo. Alhumdulilah nothing was delayed because of the massive snow storm on the U.S. east coast but it was still madness getting here. I am just grateful to have made it.

And many many many thanks to Hana and her sister Rana for opening their home and all of their hospitality. I have only been here a few hours and Rana is such a sweetheart. I am really lucky to have such caring people in my life.

I honestly still can't believe I am here. When we were driving to Rana's house it was just surreal seeing the Nile and the beautiful mosques just on a way here. I think the one thing that I automatically has made me fall in love with Cairo is the Muslim-ness of it all. When we got on EgyptAir we were greeted with "Salaam Alaikum" and before the plane took off they said the prayer for safe travelling and there was this beautiful sense of comfort in small things like that. Coming from the States where Islam is foreign and often feared, it is so nice, and such a relief, to not have to explain or defend anything and just enjoy the fact that you can say "salaam", or peace, to any and everyone on the street. Even seeing huge mosques in the middle of city is such a beautiful sight. I'm not going to lie, it makes me all really happy :)

I am excited to wake up early tomorrow and start exploring Cairo. I think I first might go to the Egyptian Museum with all the history (and mummies!). Rana said that to take it all in you might need all day so we'll see how that goes :-)

I'm also super excited, to practice the little Arabic I know while I'm here. Hopefully I won't make a big fool of myself, but if I do I think thats still part of the fun. Either way, I'll learn a lot, see beautiful things, eat loads, and of course, end the occupation.

Also to anyone reading this: please take a moment and call the Egyptian embassy and urge them to let the Gaza Freedom March into Gaza. Here is how you can help us :

Please call the Egyptian Embassy (in the US 202-895-5400) and tell them to let us into Gaza.

Contact your local consulate here:
http://www.mfa.gov.eg/MFA_Portal/en-GB/mfa_websits/

Contact the Palestine Division in Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cairo

Ahmed Azzam, tel +202-25749682 Email: ahmed.azzam@mfa.gov.eg

In the U.S., contact the Egyptian Embassy, 202-895-5400 and ask for Omar Youssef or email omaryoussef@hotmail.com

Possible text for emails:

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to express my full support for the December 31, 2009 Gaza Freedom March, and am in touch with my Member of the Congress on this issue.

I respectfully urge the Egyptian government to allow the 1,360 international delegates to enter the Gaza Strip through Egypt.

The aim of the march is to call on Israel to lift the siege. It is also humanitarian: the delegates will also take in badly needed medical aid, as well as school supplies and winter jackets for the children of Gaza.

Please let this historic March proceed. Doing so will do much to endear Egypt to both the marchers and their many friends and supporters.

Thank you

Okay so I'm exhausted and I don't want to sleep the day away!!

Ma'salaama and lots of love from Cairo,
Sana

Try And Stop Us.

So I'm on my way to New York to catch my flight to Cairo and news comes, unsurprisingly, of the Egyptian government's refusal to allow the March to occur and how those who break the law will be dealt with. If anyone is familiar with this conflict already, I think it is needless to say that I don't really care or respect the Egyptian governments views very much, because of their inhumane and heartless treatment of the Palestinian people.

The Egyptians have often denied access to Palestinians fleeing the Gaza Strip from outright bombings and starvation, to the point of even shooting innocent people and killing them. So given that, and the fact that Egypt just released news that they are building a steel wall on the Gaza border, I am not really surprised by this "news" coming from Egypt.

What I think is more important though than Egypt's lack of sympathy and humanity for Palestinians and those who are taking a stand on their behalf, is the press release from the Gaza Freedom March and how we are responding (read: disregarding) this denial from Egypt.

It says the following:

December 21, 2009

We are determined to break the siege

We all will continue to do whatever we can to make it happen

Using the pretext of escalating tensions on the Gaza-Egypt border, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry informed us yesterday 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, that 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.

Although we consider this as a setback, it is something we've encountered-and overcome--before. No delegation, large or small, that entered Gaza over the past 12 months has ever 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 march on December 31 against the Israeli blockade. We are continuing in the same direction.

Egyptian embassies and missions all over the world must hear from us and our supporters (by phone, fax and email)** over the coming crucial days, with a clear message: Let the international delegation enter Gaza and let the Gaza Freedom March proceed.

Contact your local consulate here:
http://www.mfa.gov.eg/MFA_Portal/en-GB/mfa_websits/

Contact the Palestine Division in Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cairo

Ahmed Azzam, tel +202-25749682 Email: ahmed.azzam@mfa.gov.eg

In the U.S., contact the Egyptian Embassy, 202-895-5400 and ask for Omar Youssef or email omaryoussef@hotmail.com

We look forward to seeing you all in the coming week.

The GFM Steering Committee

If any of you have a spare moment to send an e-mail or a phone call, please do so to ensure that this March can happen and Egypt is pressured to do the right thing and let this peaceful demonstration for the sake of humanity occur.

Wish me safe travels!

-Sana

Getting ready.

Peace everyone,

My name is Sana Javed, and I'm going to graduate this Sunday from the University of Maryland with a degree in Government and Politics and Spanish Languages and Literature. I'm a member of the Muslim Students Association and Students for Justice in Palestine.

I am from the DMV- (D.C./MD/VA) and in one week I will be leaving for Egypt. On December 26th I will be joining over 1300 activists and other human beings of conscious for the Gaza Freedom March. This march is to demand an end to the Israeli occupation of the Gaza Strip and to remember that exactly one year ago, Israel massacred 1400 Palestinians, where 900 of them were women and children.

I hope with this blog that I can describe and write the things I've seen, the people I've met, and relay what life under a brutal occupation is really like. I doubt this will be a fun blog with vacation like memories, but it will be real and honest and about the people living in the Gaza Strip.

Oh and the name of this blog, is in reference to what Palestinians use when they are gassed by Israeli soldiers. When gassed, they tie their keffiyeh on like a mask, and then cut onions and hold it up to their face to lessen the burning from the gas.

This one is for Gaza.

In struggle,
Sana.