[HCCN] Egypt may interfere with Gaza Peace Delegation

[Judy Robbins]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 22, 2009
8:56 AM

[Carolyn Coe of Orland is a member of this delegation, leaving in a  
few days for Cairo and Rafah. -- JR]



CONTACT: CODEPINK

Medea Benjamin, CODEPINK co-founder, 415-235-6517 Pam Rasmussen,  
delegation coordinator, 301-518-0199 Jean Stevens, CODEPINK national  
media coordinator, 508-769-2138



Egyptian Government Attempts to Block Four Foreign Delegations From  
Reaching to Gaza Border
CODEPINK delegates say they will not turn back
CAIRO - May 22 - As more than 160 Americans and other citizens from  
around the world begin arriving in Cairo with the intent to cross  
into Gaza, the operators of Egyptian bus services say they been  
prohibited by the Egyptian government from transporting them to the  
border. The groups, made up of four delegations on the Egyptian side  
and one on the Israeli side, are part of a CODEPINK Women for Peace  
campaign to bring humanitarian supplies and build playgrounds for the  
children of Gaza.

"We had chartered a private bus company to take us from Cairo to Al- 
Arish, the closest town to the Rafah crossing into Gaza," explained  
Sandra Ruch, who is leading a delegation of Canadians on the  
humanitarian mission. "However, the operators tell us now that the  
government has prohibited them from taking us anywhere near the  
border. They obviously believe this tactic will keep us away, but we  
are determined. The Gazans are completely isolated and struggling to  
survive. We cannot abandon them."

The 10-member Canadian delegation is scheduled to be followed by a 14- 
member  group from New York and a contingent of 40 students. The  
largest of the CODEPINK delegations, numbering about 80, is scheduled  
to set off for the border on May 29 - just days ahead of President  
Barack Obama's landmark speech to the Arab world, planned for Cairo  
on June 4. The CODEPINK delegations are invited to the Gaza Strip by  
the United Nations Relief and Works Agency.

The delegations plan to enter Gaza to focus attention on the need to  
lift the 21-month blockade and to deliver medical supplies, toys and  
sports equipment to the children there, who make up more than half of  
Gaza's population. The groups are also bringing supplies for  
playgrounds, since many of the schools and playgrounds were bombed  
during Israel's invasion earlier this year, which killed more than  
1,400, displaced more than 50,000 people and destroyed approximately  
4,000 homes.

"The majority of Gazans are under 18, and many of the youth are  
traumatized and depressed," said delegation coordinator Pam  
Rasmussen. "Thousands are now living in rubble or cramped tents,  
while mourning the deaths of loved ones and struggling to support  
their families despite an unemployment rate in excess of 50 percent.  
It's important for us to go there to show that the international  
community cares about their plight."   The CODEPINK delegations are  
not alone. Three British medics began a hunger strike at the Egyptian  
border crossing on May 21 to protest being refused entry into Gaza to  
establish a cardiac surgery unit at al-Shifa Hospital, which  
currently has no such facility, and to help train medical students  
and junior doctors there. The British medics have been denied access  
to the Palestinian territory at the Rafah crossing since the  
beginning of May.   CODEPINK delegations say they are determined to  
get to the border and cross into Gaza.

"We call on the Egyptian government to facilitate our travel to Gaza,  
not create obstacles," said Medea Benjamin, co-founder of CODEPINK.  
"President Obama is coming to Egypt on June 4 to speak to the Arab  
world. He claims he wants to stand for peace and justice. We need to  
start by lifting the blockade of Gaza."

For more information, please contact Medea Benjamin, CODEPINK co- 
founder, at 415-235-6517, Pam Rasmussen, delegation coordinator, at  
301-518-0199, or Jean Stevens, CODEPINK national media coordinator,  
at 508-769-2138.

###

CODEPINK is a women-initiated grassroots peace and social justice  
movement working to end the war in Iraq, stop new wars, and redirect  
our resources into healthcare, education and other life-affirming  
activities. CODEPINK rejects the Bush administration's fear-based  
politics that justify violence, and instead calls for policies based  
on compassion, kindness and a commitment to international law. With  
an emphasis on joy and humor, CODEPINK women and men seek to  
activate, amplify and inspire a community of peacemakers through  
creative campaigns and a commitment to non-violence.

CODEPINK Links: Homepage CODEPINK (Press Center) CODEPINNK (Action  
Center)


Article printed from www.CommonDreams.org
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