Gaza march will go ahead

Despite an announcement by the Egyptian government that it will not allow protesters to cross the Rafah Crossing - the border crossing between Egypt and Gaza - organisers say the international march will proceed, and South African participants are determined to be there. The South African delegation, numbering close to 20 activists, will be led by former Intelligence Minister Ronnie Kasrils, and will include trade unionists, professionals, journalists, and solidarity activists.


Hundreds of activists are expected to descend on OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on Sunday at 7pm to give the South African delegation what is expected to be a rousing and emotional send-off. "We have prepared for this trip, and we are going to Cairo; we will not be stopped by such announcements," a March spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, the Media Review Network said on Wednesday that the African Union's silence on the wall being built between Gaza and Egypt is "a huge betrayal". The group, which aims to dispel myths and stereotypes about Islam and Muslims, called on the South African government to intervene and pressure the Egyptian government into stopping the erection of the wall.
"The MRN finds it unacceptable that the AU's inaction will contribute to the suffering of the Gaza populationWe therefore view this as a huge betrayal of the Gazan population and moral failure on the part of the AU leadership," it said in a statement. The MRN accused Egypt of participating in "crimes against humanity" in its policy towards Gaza.
Negotiations are ongoing with Egyptian authorities in order to convince them to allow marchers through the border. The almost 1,400 protesters from all over the world are expected to cross en masse into Gaza on the 29th December and, on the 31st December, to join Palestinians from Gaza in a massive march to the Erez Crossing - the border between Gaza and Israel.
"The purpose of the march is to show Palestinians that the world does care. People in Gaza have been living under a strangulating siege for about two years. No food, medicines, medical supplies, fuel, or reconstruction material is allowed to go through. We are calling for an end to this blockade, and for international law to apply. Under international law, such collective punishment is illegal. But the world stands by as Gaza starves. We are marching on Erez to tell the Israeli government and the world that Erez must be opened, that crucial supplies must be allowed through, that sick people should be allowed to receive medical treatment," the spokesperson said.
She added that the second reason for the march was to commemorate the Israeli attacks on Gaza in December 2008-January 2009, when about 1,400 people - mostly civilians were killed in Gaza by the Israeli Occupation Forces. ‘Those attacks were a violation of international law and of human rights. According to the Goldstone Report, commissioned by the United Nations, Israel committed war crimes and crimes against humanity during those attacks. The world must remember, and the perpetrators must be brought to book,' she added.
The South African delegation will leave OR Tambo International Airport on the night of Sunday, 27th December. Activists will meet at the airport to meet the delegation at 7pm in the international departures section. The South African response is being spearheaded by the Palestine Solidarity Alliance, Palestine Solidarity Committee, Palestine Solidarity Group and Media Review Network. VOC