Protest at Egyptian Embassy in Dublin today - and letter to ambassador refused

national | rights, freedoms and repression | news report Thursday December 31, 2009 16:59 by Fintan Lane - IPSC media officer 087 1258325

A letter of protest (see full text below) from the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) was brought this afternoon (3.30pm) to the Egyptian embassy in Dublin. A large peaceful picket simultaneously took place outside with people holding placards demanding an end to the siege of Gaza and chanting in protest at Egypt's recent efforts to frustrate international solidarity with the Palestinian people.

The embassy refused to accept delivery of the letter to the Egyptian ambassador, but Dr David Landy, chairperson of the IPSC, publicly read it out in front of the building. It will now be sent to the ambassador through the postal service.

Among those who addressed a short rally outside the embassy was a representative of the Palestinian Rights Initiative, who spoke strongly about the suffering of people in Gaza.

Earlier in the day, more than 100 people participated in a vigil on the Ha'penny Bridge in central Dublin in memory of the 1,400 Palestinians killed during the Israeli assault on Gaza at this time last year. The vigil was also held in solidarity with those involved in today's 'Gaza Freedom March' and with the Viva Palestina aid convoy that is making its way to Gaza. Similar vigils for Gaza were held across the country, including in Derry, Belfast, Scariff, Mullingar and Sligo. More will be held over the weekend in Cork and Galway, and other localities.

Over the Christmas period, the Egyptian government refused to allow the Gaza aid convoy - which includes 10 Irish people and three vehicles from Ireland - to make the final leg of its journey through Egypt to the Rafah crossing to Gaza. Similarly, in another move to undermine international solidarity with Gaza, Egypt refused to allow more than 1,300 international delegates to today's 'Gaza Freedom March' to cross into Gaza for the peaceful demonstration. Several Irish Palestine solidarity activists are among those forced to remain in Cairo today.

Speaking outside the Egyptian embassy this afternoon, Freda Hughes, spokesperson for the IPSC, said: "The behaviour of the Egyptian authorities has been shameful. They have frustrated efforts at international solidarity with Gaza and, even worse, they have wilfully obstructed the delivery of badly needed humanitarian aid. The people of Gaza are suffering dreadfully because of the Israeli siege and this is the last thing they needed. We are here today to stand in solidarity with the people of Gaza and to make it clear to Egypt that their disgraceful behaviour is unacceptable."

Text of Letter from the IPSC to Egyptian ambassador to Ireland:

Your Excellency -

Decent people throughout the world were horrified one year ago when Israel launched its merciless war against the imprisoned population of the Gaza strip. As you will recall, this onslaught resulted in the killing of over 1300 Palestinians, at least 300 of them children, and the wholesale destruction of homes and infrastructure including schools and hospitals.

Since the ceasefire on 18th January last, Israel has subjected the strip to an illegal siege, preventing the importation of foodstuffs, medicines, and educational materials as well as construction materials to enable the people of Gaza to rebuild their houses and their lives.

It is in this context that civil society has mobilised and made repeated efforts to break the siege and bring provisions, and perhaps a little hope, to the beleaguered Gazans.

The most recent of these attempts have been the Gaza Freedom March and the Viva Palestina convoy, bringing together contingents from France, Scotland, Ireland, Sweden, South Africa, Canada, Italy, the USA, and elsewhere. It had been hoped that these humanitarian convoys would enter Gaza through the Rafah Crossing on 27th December, one year to the day after Israel launched its murderous assault.

However, your government has so far prevented the Viva Palestina convoy from crossing into Egypt by ferry from Aqaba in Jordan, and barred the Freedom March from entering Gaza. In explanation, President Mubarak cited "tensions" at the border, while first lady Suzanne Mubarak offered to allow 100 delegates to enter Gaza. Surely this offer suggests that the "security" argument is bogus?

It is difficult to escape the impression that the government of Egypt is helping Israel maintain its siege of Gaza by denying freedom of movement to these concerned human beings seeking to bring much-needed provisions to the people of Gaza while demanding - from within the strip itself - an end to the criminal Israeli siege.

You will recall that last June the Israeli navy kidnapped a boat on its way to Gaza, captained by an Irishman and bearing among its passengers an Irish Nobel Peace Prize laureate. This frail vessel was called The Spirit of Humanity. It is in this spirit that we - Irish peace activists dedicated to the cause of justice for the Palestinians - call on your government to play its part in lifting the siege of Gaza. As a first step we ask you, Mr Ambassador, to urge your government to allow Viva Palestine and the Freedom march to enter the Gaza strip through the Rafah Crossing.

We believe that in making this request we are speaking for all concerned Irish people, and we believe that a positive response would greatly enhance Egypt's status as a defender of the rights of its Palestinian sisters and brothers - rights that have been denied for more than sixty years.

Yours sincerely

___________________
Dr. David Landy
Chair
Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign