Egyptian government blocking four international delegations to Gaza

[grassfed]

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.

more
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/blogs/philip_weiss_and_adam_horowitz/2009/05/egyptian-government-blocking-f.php