[E-rundbrief] Info 880 - Gaza Freedom March Egypt blockade

[Matthias Reichl]

E-Rundbrief - Info  880 - Gaza Freedom March

Bad Ischl, 22.12.2009

Begegnungszentrum für aktive Gewaltlosigkeit

www.begegnungszentrum.at

================================================

PLEASE FORWARD TO ALL YOUR CONTACTS!!!

Call the Egyptian government for the Gaza Freedom March!

Gaza Freedom March

http://www.gazafreedommarch.org/article.php?id=5242

  URGENT UPDATE

December 21, 2009

Dear Supporters,

We are determined to break the siege

We all will continue to do whatever we can to make it happen

Using the pretext of escalating tensions on the Gaza-Egypt border, the 
Egyptian Foreign Ministry informed us yesterday that the Rafah border 
will be closed over the coming weeks, into January. We responded that 
there is always tension at the border because of the siege, that we do 
not feel threatened, and that if there are any risks, they are risks we 
are willing to take. We also said that it was too late for over 1,300 
delegates coming from over 42 countries to change their plans now. We 
both agreed to continue our exchanges.

Although we consider this as a setback, it is something we've 
encountered-and overcome--before. No delegation, large or small, that 
entered Gaza over the past 12 months has ever received a final OK before 
arriving at the Rafah border. Most delegations were discouraged from 
even heading out of Cairo to Rafah. Some had their buses stopped on the 
way. Some have been told outright that they could not go into Gaza. But 
after public and political pressure, the Egyptian government changed its 
position and let them pass.

Our efforts and plans will not be altered at this point. We have set out 
to break the siege of Gaza and march on December 31 against the Israeli 
blockade. We are continuing in the same direction.

Egyptian embassies and missions all over the world must hear from our 
supporters (by phone, fax and email)** over the coming crucial days, 
with a clear message: Let the international delegation enter Gaza and 
let the Gaza Freedom March proceed.
Contact your local consulate here:
http://www.mfa.gov.eg/MFA_Portal/en-GB/mfa_websits/

Contact the Palestine Division in Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cairo 
Ahmed Azzam, tel +202-25749682 Email: ahmed.azzam at mfa.gov.eg

Ägyptische Botschaft in Wien:

Botschafter Ehab Fawzy
Hohe Warte 50-54
A-1190 Wien
Tel: +43 1 370 81 04
Fax: +43 1 370 81 04 - 27
E-mail: egyptembassyvienna at egyptembassyvienna.at


You signed on to support the the Gaza Freedom March, that was the first 
step. Now call the Egyptian embassy and ask your elected official to 
call on your behalf. Then, hit the streets and join a solidarity action 
in your community: www.gazafreedommarch.org/solidarity

Thank you for being part of a global movement.

The Gaza Freedomo March Steering Committee

* * Sample text

I am writing/calling to express my full support for the December 31, 
2009 Gaza Freedom March. I urge the Egyptian government to allow the 
1,300 international delegates to enter the Gaza Strip through Egypt.


The aim of the march is to call on Israel to lift the siege. The 
delegates will also take in badly needed medical aid, as well as school 
supplies and winter jackets for the children of Gaza.

Please, let this historic March proceed.

Thank you.

-- 

Matthias Reichl, Pressesprecher/ press speaker,
Begegnungszentrum fuer aktive Gewaltlosigkeit
Center for Encounter and active Non-Violence
Wolfgangerstr. 26, A-4820 Bad Ischl, Austria,
fon: +43 6132 24590, Informationen/ informations,
Impressum in: http://www.begegnungszentrum.at
Spenden-Konto Nr. 0600-970305 (Blz. 20314) Sparkasse Bad Ischl,
Geschäftsstelle Pfandl
IBAN: AT922031400600970305 BIC: SKBIAT21XXX