YES, we are sad to inform you that we had to close TEMPORARY our camp at the Rafah border, because no more internationals came or tell us they were coming and Chris had to leave and to go back home. It is clear that without internationals, Egyptian activists who would come at risk to be arrested and put in jail.
But our action is not over.
We will set a new camp at the border as soon as new internationals will come, because we know how useful it is for all the Palestinians who try to enter and we know the pressure we made on the Zionists authorities of Egypt!
We will continue our efforts to Lift the Gaza Siege and to OPEN THE RAFAH BORDER by making pressure on our politicians, our governments and embassies of Egypt all over the world!
And we will come back SOON !
In this sad day, we would just want to share with you some of the feelings of our members.
It is OVER, we waited and waited for people to come and help us. We've been there for a long time waiting for somebody to take over and help, but as there was NO internationals or Egyptians coming, Chris and myself talked to Nada and with the help of the other 4 participants in the camp collected everything and went home.
Thanks for NOT being there to help.
Iman
Dear sisters and brothers,
I am so moved by each of you, your commitment to justice for the Palestinians, your willingness to sacrifice time, money, your personal lives, to be a part of the movement to open the Rafah border.
Whether you were there in person or in spirit, we made a difference! And it is important to remember that. The idea to have a protest at the border came from different experiences, but it became a reality in early June when Egyptians and internationals arrived at the border and AGAINST ALL ODDS began a sit-in (which lasted 2 months!) to open the border.
Without fame, and without fanfare, we persisted in flying the Palestinian flags, hanging banners, holding signs of protest against the injustice towards the people of Gaza. And we defied the powers! Again and again!
We witnessed, shared tea; we gave comfort to the suffering people. We stood against the ridicule and humiliation they suffered at the hand of the border police and "intelligence."
What is amazing is not that we closed down after 2 months but that we survived, we flourished at the border through circumstances that were abusive and difficult. We stood up to the powers, and we kept standing. Even the decision to leave, was made by those at the camp, not in reaction to the police "asking" us to leave.
I do not believe we were on the same power footing at the Government of Egypt, the U.S. or Israel. We have a different power!!! And whether we are at the border, demonstrating at home, calling the embassies, or talking with friends, we have the power, the freedom to stand for justice and we do! I used to remark when I was at the border that we, the people sitting-in, we were the freest people at the border! And we continue to be. So, we are gone from the border, others will stand there and there will be other opportunities for us to be there or wherever we find ourselves. Failure is impossible!!!
I salute all the strong people with whom I lived and worked at the border, each of you is in my heart until it is no longer beating. Creativity is the solution and the antidote to war, to violence, and we have more creative power to unleash!
My heart and mind wish we had succeeded in opening the border for good, for everyone. I wanted to move mountains (of Egyptian "Intelligence") for the Palestinians. But the Palestinians, taught me the important lessons of patience and perseverance. I will not forget this gift, as I deepen it in practice, it does not come naturally for me.
Let us celebrate our contribution to justice, acknowledge our imperfections, and realize that we need each other to keep on keeping on. The closing of our encampment may be a setback, but FAILURE IS IMPOSSIBLE!
I am filled with love and gratitude for each of you in my life, and I hope that we will continue to work together for justice, for that other world we know is possible,
Paki
--
In Solidarity
from all
International Movement to Open Rafah Border
http://www.facebook.com/group.
"Only a united world against oppression will help unite and free all of Palestine."
(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.
(2) Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country
No comments:
Post a Comment