Egyptian authorities have recently deported multiple foreign nationals who traveled to Egypt to participate in a pro-Palestinian march, with many more facing potential deportation, according to organizers as well as sources from the airport and security teams.
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This week, hundreds gathered in Egypt for the Global March to Gaza, a notable international initiative designed to advocate for an end to the Israeli blockade of the Palestinian enclave and to raise awareness of the ongoing humanitarian crisis there. As one organizer aptly noted, “We are here to amplify the voices of those who are often silenced.”
Participants from 80 different countries were scheduled to march towards Egypt’s Rafah Crossing into Gaza, which is approximately 48 kilometers away. However, reports confirm that some individuals have already been deported or detained upon arrival at the airport.
Among those attending the march were around 50 people from Ireland, including mother-of-four Helen Lawlor from County Laois.
As for the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, they have yet to respond to inquiries regarding these events. Previously, they emphasized that visits to the Rafah border area must be coordinated in advance with Egyptian embassies or governmental entities, stressing the importance of adhering to official procedures for the sake of safety and security.
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In a statement released late last night, the organizers confirmed that they had followed all stated requirements. They asserted, “In the lead-up to the march, we coordinated directly with Egyptian embassies in over 15 countries and with the Foreign Ministry, ensuring transparency at every step.” They are now calling for the immediate release of those detained.
In response, Israel’s defense minister directed the military to prevent demonstrators from entering Gaza from Egypt, labeling the march a threat to both Israeli and regional security. Egyptian officials highlighted that the Rafah crossing remains closed on the Gaza side, urging for international pressure to be applied on Israel to allow aid into the enclave.
A young Irish woman caught up in the detentions shared her unsettling experience after arriving in Cairo this morning. She recounted, “I was pulled aside without any explanation at the final security barrier before exiting Cairo International Airport. My bags were searched, and I was interrogated about any flags or protest materials, none of which I had.”
After some time in a holding area, she was grouped with three unknown passengers and detained. The authorities confiscated their phones and passports, searched them, and denied any communication. She stated, “I went about eight hours without food, aside from a piece of bread given to me by a security guard.”
Eventually, she was escorted to a departure gate, where her passport was handed over to the crew of Turkish Airlines, and her phone was returned with the stipulation that she not contact the Irish embassy. Reflecting on her ordeal, she described it as “one of the most disturbing and disorienting experiences” she has ever endured.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
