Joe Higgins MEP condemns harrassment of Palestine Solidarity Activists

international | rights, freedoms and repression | press release Tuesday December 29, 2009 10:26 by Michael O'Brien - Socialist Party michaelobrien at socialistparty dot net 150 Pearse Street, Dublin 2 087 2400331

Responding to the news of 23 Palestine solidarity activists, among them two Irish women - Zoe Lawlor and Hilary Minch, being taken off a bus yesterday at al Areish by the Egyptian authorities Joe Higgins MEP of the Socialist Party commented:

"These activists were on their way to the Gaza Freedom March due to take place on Thursday 31st December. This march is intended to remember the first anniversary of the slaughter unleashed on the people of Gaza by the Israeli state resulting in many hundreds dying horrifically as a result of a merciless ariel bombardment that lasted a fortnight.

"Since then the Israeli state has hindered efforts by aid agencies and solidarity activists to reconstruct Gaza's decimated infrastructure. Any talk of peace efforts by the Israeli government has to be seen as pure cant in this light.

"The Egyptian authorities have surpassed any other regime in the region in the co-operation they have given the Israeli state in preventing the free movement of people and aid across its border into Gaza, yesterday's arrest being the latest episode. The protesters had their passports taken from them and were brought back to Cairo under police escort. However after staging an impromptu sit down protest the activists had their passports returned and the police escort abandoned them in Cairo.

"I salute the dedication of the international activists and condemn the Egyptian authorities. I will register my disgust with yesterday's occurrence with Ambassador Amr Helmy in Dublin who unfortunately I have had occasion before to raise the issue of the repression of political opponents in Egypt.