Five Londoners are attempting to cross the Egyptian border with Gaza today. UWO Students Taylor Davy, Ashley Annis, Peige Desjarlais, along with Dr Nabil Sultan and activist Beth Guthrie are
travelling with the Canadian Delegation to Gaza, part of Code Pink. They have been invited by UNRWA, the Red Crescent, and the government of Gaza, to visit schools, children’s centres and hospitals and to report back to the Canadian people about the disastrous effects of Israel’s bombardment earlier this year, and the ongoing 19 month siege.
Despite the advance preparations made by Code Pink in Canada and the US with officials from Egypt and Gaza, and letters of support from Canadian Members of Parliament, including Glen Pearson and Irene Mathyssen, the Delegation has so far been turned back twice by Egyptian authorities. Each day they are given new names to contact and hope to achieve success the next day.
Of course, at the border many Palestinians are waiting to return to their homes. The Delegation
spoke with 60 year old Sophia, who has been waiting for 2 weeks to rejoin her family. Each night she returns to El Arish, a town about 50 km to the north. She knocks on the doors of strangers, pleading for a place to sleep.
The Delegation also met 2 doctors who have been trying to cross into Gaza for 53 days to train doctors in Gaza hospitals. Dr. Sonia Robbins from Britain, and Greek Dr. Nikolas Botos have worked in Gaza and the West Bank for several years. Twenty days ago they set up an encampment and have refused o leave the crossing even at night. Since Wednesday, they have been on hunger strike, hoping that world governments will put pressure on Egypt and Israel to allow the border to open Dr. Robbins spoke of her frustration with her own government. Her concern is for people in Gaza whose plight is being ignored by both Arab and Western governments.
The border is not completely sealed however. On Sunday a large convoy from Europe was allowed through the first gate. The Delegation saw many ambulances and trucks that were filled by communities in Europe as gifts for Gaza.
The Canadian Delegation to Gaza is taking medical supplies and toys that they purchased in Cairo. Toys include complete outfits for 2 soccer teams of boys, balls and skipping ropes for girls, as well as art supplies.
The Delegation is led by Sandra Ruch, who lived in London most of her life. Sandra went to Gaza with the Code Pink delegation for International Women’s Day last March. On her return to Canada she spoke to a group of Londoners and asked people to return with her. At that meeting, enough money was raised to send a delegate, and Beth, who was on the verge of retirement, was chosen. The students and Dr. Sultan signed up later, along with Mohamed Abokasem, a businessman from Ottawa,
and Cathy Gulkin of Toronto, the videographer for the group. Both Mr. Abokasem and Dr. Sultan have family they have never seen in Gaza, and the journey is especially meaningful for them.
The Delegation asks that Canadians call their MPs to insist that the government press Egypt and Israel to open the borders to them and also, most importantly, to the Palestinian people.
