Bethlehem - Ma'an - Delegates with the Gaza Freedom March were told by Egyptian authorities they would be unable to enter Gaza via the Rafah crossing since the terminal will be closed due to continuing border tension, a statement said.
According to march organizers, on 20 December officials from the Egyptian Foreign Ministry cited "escalating tensions on the Gaza-Egypt border" for the closure of the Rafah crossing from earlier in the week on through to January.
Responding to the announcement, the delegation noted, "No delegation, large or small, that has entered Gaza over the past 12 months has 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."
The group, of more than 1,300 individuals, says it will "continue the journey."
This is very common now because of all the campaigns heading to Gaza. The need for people in the West bank is dire so I will be unable to join CodePink next week in their efforts to cross. There is not a high percentage of them getting though. I will keep up with the travelers by email & phone, while providing updates here.
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