Report From Rafah: Doctors Stopped at Borders

[DogPoundPup]

Dr. Nicolas Doussis-Rassias and many other volunteer doctors have been waiting in Rafah, Egypt, for days. Nicolas and the other physicians came to Rafah to go through the border into Gaza to help the 3,000 people wounded by Israeli bombs and heavy weapons. Rafah is a heavily armed Egyptian border crossing into Gaza, a four-hour drive away from Cairo. Sonic booms of highflying jets cut through the stark blue sky. Military drones hover over the border, as the air smells of burning.

"Three thousand victims of bombs and gunfire would overwhelm the medical system of New York City," Nicolas said. "Gaza now has no functioning medical system at all. Most of it has no electricity or running water. These people are in crisis - they need medical help, so we are here to help them."

But today, instead of helping the thousands of wounded, Nicolas and other doctors are holding up a hand-lettered red and blue banner outside the Egyptian border station saying, "Let the Doctors Through!"

Why? Doctors of Peace and numerous other doctors from around the world have been prevented from entering Gaza for seven days. They cannot get in to help through Israel or Egypt.

http://www.truthout.org/011209C

[scarletwoman]

1. Words fail... I defy anyone to defend this. (nt)

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

2. In my local newspaper's LTTE, yesterday...

There were letters, from the usual right-wing nutbars, stating that any criticism of Israel and its tactics, whatsoever, made you an anti-Semite.

I love reasoned discourse.

[scarletwoman]

4. All I can say is that they cannot be allowed to prevail. They've had their way for far too long.

They're nothing but bullies.

[Behind the Aegis]

6. Egypt is a bully? There's a new one.

[madeline_con]

3. This must have flown under the radar, and gone unnoticed.

Crickets are still chirping in the apologists' corner.

[azurnoir]

7. Yes I am surprised too

this seems like a Pro Israeli wet dream now it can be all Egypt's fault

[Behind the Aegis]

8. I figured it would be a nightmare for the anti-Israel brigade...can't blame Israel.

Though it seems some here may not seem to realize the Rafah crossing is in Egypt, not Israel.

[azurnoir]

10. Not really oh well huh

[Behind the Aegis]

11. Must suck for y'all. Though I did see your apologist post.

[azurnoir]

12. which one dear n/t

[Vegasaurus]

5. Egypt, oh Egypt

why do you erect ten foot concrete walls, shoot at your Arab brethren, and not let in medical aid?

Egypt, what kind of friend to Palestine are you?

(Israel is at war, so is not expected to be friendly)

[azurnoir]

9. Yes Israel is at war which is why Israel is required

to allow aid to civilians to enter nice of you to point that war part though thanks
Oh and Egypt well yes they are acting in a despicable manor but being a neutral country are not actually required to do anything

[Vegasaurus]

13. So, you are OK with Egypt not allowing in foreign doctors

or opening the gates for food and medical supplies?

You are OK with their ten foot concrete wall, and the fact that their police officers shoot at Palestinians who get too close?

When Israel does any of the above, there is much screaming.

Let's get rid of the double standards.

[bunnies]

14. Is Egypt bombing the hell out of people?

Destroying hospitals and clinics? Starving the Gazans? Double standard indeed. Israel is the one destroying the lives - Israel should be the one to help them.

[Vegasaurus]

15. That's not how it works in war, in case you haven;t noticed nt

[bunnies]

16. No? So we shouldnt do anything about the carnage we left in Iraq?

Absurd.