Gaza Freedom March Hunger Strikers Vow to Continue and Call for Mass Participation

international | rights, freedoms and repression | press release Saturday January 02, 2010 16:10 by Kev - IPSC (pers cap)

(CAIRO) Gaza Freedom March hunger strikers released yesterday a statement to the world community at the steps of the Egyptian Syndicate of Journalists where they have congregated for the past week due to Egypt's refusal to allow them into Gaza. They renewed their commitment to the values of freedom for Palestine and appealed for a continued struggle until justice is achieved. They also called for an end to the Israeli siege of Gaza.

Hedy Epstein, the 85 year old Holocaust survivor and peace activist, was the first to announce that she would begin a hunger strike last Sunday in response to the Egyptian government’s refusal to allow the Gaza Freedom March participants into Gaza. She was joined by other activists. Her cause attracted wide coverage both in the Arab and Western press.

For quotes from hunger strikers please contact Nic Abrahamson – 0175509654 (Egypt) or Manijeh Saba 0191406963 (Egypt)

Press Statement of the Gaza Freedom March Hunger Strikers – January 1, 2010

We are thirty activists from around the world, inspired by Hedy Epstein, the 85-year-old Holocaust survivor, who initiated a hunger strike in Cairo for the opening of the borders of Gaza to the outside world.

We recognize that the Palestinians of Gaza continue to hunger for food, shelter, and most of all for freedom.

We continue to hunger for justice for Gaza and all of Palestine. At this time, we announce that we will feast when Gaza feasts.

Until that time, each of us will choose the time to end her/his fast and again take food.

Our pleasure in that food will always be mixed with the pain of Palestinians.

We call on all people of conscience from around the world to renew their resolve for peace and justice in Palestine

Contact: Ann Wright, Egypt (19) 508-1493
Ziyaad Lunat, Egypt +20 191181340
Medea Benjamin, Egypt +20 18 956 1919
Ehab Lotayef, Egypt +20 17 638 2628 (Arabic)