By Nykoel Dinardo
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East
CAIRO, Egypt – As many countries throughout the Middle East protest the air strikes on the Gaza strip, many protests are focused on Egypt. Egypt has offered to send humanitarian aid into areas affected by the strikes, but has seriously restricted crossings into Egypt at the Rafah border crossing. These restrictions have been in place since 2007, but Egypt refuses to reconsider them in light of the number of residents attempting to flee the area. The Rafah crossing is the only passing into Egypt from the Gaza strip.
Egyptian Ambassador to the UN Maged Abdelaziz said in a press conference on December 29 that those wishing to cross the border at Rafah were not being inhibited by Egypt. He claimed that any difficulties in crossing were occurring on the Palestinian side of the border.
Several protesting groups, including a group of students in Yemen who attacked the Egyptian consulate earlier this week, claim that Egypt’s refusal constitutes approval. They claim that Egypt is choosing Israel’s side over the Palestinians affected in this conflict for Egypt’s political gain. Egypt is one of only two Arab states that have treaties with Israel.
Egyptian foreign minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit has called on Israel to end the attacks. However, he also blamed Hamas for ignoring warnings that Israel would attack if rocket fires from Gaza did not cease. This statement prompted several responses. In Lebanon, roughly 4,000 protesters gathered to criticize Egypt’s response. Although the protesters also criticized Israel’s attacks, the focus of the protest was on Egypt. Slogans calling Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak a traitor and an Agent of the Americans were shouted by the crowds.
Giving fuel to the fire, President Mubarak was photographed leaving meetings with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni the day before the attacks commenced. The Israeli cabinet had already approved the attacks. Gheit was also photographed smiling and shaking hands with Livni, though it is reported that he urged restraint in meetings with Israel.
Although Egypt has been strongly criticized in the Arab world for its reaction to this conflict, the Arab League will meet today in Cairo to discuss possible future steps.
For more information, please see:
NPR – Arab League Meets in Egypt Over Gaza Crisis – 31 December 2008
International Herald Tribune – Arab Outrage over Gaza Carnage targets Egypt – 30 December 2008
The New York Times – Egypt Offers Humanitarian Aid but Is Criticized for Refusing to Open Gaza Border – 30 December 2008
Inner City Press – On Gaza, Egypt Blames Blockage of Rafah Crossing on “Other Party,” Strange Bedfellows Noted – 29 December 2008
The Jerusalem Post – Arab League Delays Emergency Meeting – 28 December 2008
