Latest news with #GMTG
The Journal
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Journal
Irish activists helping to organise new flotilla trying to get aid to Gaza
IRISH ACTIVISTS ARE helping to organise a new international flotilla aiming to deliver aid to Gaza and break Israel's blockade as the number of civilians killed through violence or starvation continues to rise. The flotilla is set to launch from Spain on 31 August and stop at Tunisia and other countries on 4 September before sailing towards Gaza, with people from more than 44 countries participating. It comes as a joint statement from 24 countries and the EU denounce the 'famine unfolding before our eyes' in Gaza as Israel severely limits the amount of aid getting into Gaza, leaving people to suffer without enough food or other essential supplies like medicines. The new Global Sumud Flotilla, organised by the Global Movement to Gaza (GMTG) campaign, aims to break Israel's blockade and raise attention to the starvation happening in Gaza – though Israel is likely to intercept it before it reaches Gaza. Advertisement 'The people of Ireland are steadfast in our support for the liberation of Palestine,' said Karen Moynihan, GMTG Irish coordinator, in a statement. 'The Global Sumud Flotilla sails with more boats then ever seen before to break the siege on Gaza,' Moynihan said. 'We are calling everyone across Ireland to join the movement and support the flotilla. Citizens of the world are united, and we will not stop until Palestine is free. No one is free until Palestine is free.' In June, the Freedom Flotilla on the boat the Madleen departed from Sicily with aid and noted activists and politicians on board, including Greta Thunberg. Israeli forces intercepted the ship in international waters and detained and later deported those on board. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
IOL News
17-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
SA delegates detail horror experience during Global March to Gaza
The GMTG, was part of a global solidarity movement where on June 13, 2025, thousands of citizens from over 50 countries mobilised in a peaceful, civic-led demonstration to 'demand justice, humanity, and an end to the ongoing genocide in Gaza'. Image: Jimi Matthews/Facebook SOUTH Africans taking part in the Global March to Gaza (GMTG) have recounted stories of intimidation including detention, and roadblocks by Egyptian authorities in their quest to highlight the plight of Palestinians. Some of them started arriving on Monday with others expected on Tuesday. The GMTG, a global solidarity movement where on Friday, thousands of citizens from over 50 countries mobilised in a peaceful, civic-led demonstration to 'demand justice, humanity, and an end to the ongoing genocide in Gaza'. However, several South African delegates were among those who claimed they were intimidated and had their passports confiscated by Egyptian authorities at various checkpoints during their journey. 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Next Stay Close ✕ In a social media post over the weekend, former member of Parliament, and Nelson Mandela's grandson, Mandla Mandela, who was among the SA delegation in attendance, explained that they were not allowed to proceed and were held for over six hours. In an interview on Monday, head of SA delegation, Basheerah Soomar, said about 50 South Africans were part of the GMTC, and that their experience in Egypt had been an 'unwelcoming one, as some had already found themselves being detained upon arrival at the airport'. 'They tried to detain as many people coming in, but they couldn't prove why.' Sommar said that as soon as the embassy opened, she spoke to the secretaries and the ambassador, so that they would be aware that people were coming. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation spokesperson, Chrispin Phiri, said: 'Our embassy advised South African march participants that the area (near the crossing) was restricted and queried whether they had confirmation of authorisation from the authorities. 'This was not clear to the embassy during the initial engagements, and the participation proceeded.' Phiri confirmed that full consular services were being rendered to citizens who came to Egypt. Soomar said people were questioned at their hotels. 'Searching our phones and explicitly asking if we're joining the march. There was leaked info about which countries were staying where. They didn't take any South Africans into detention because they didn't have any evidence. We all prepared for that and cleared all our phones.' Soomar said they also suspected being placed under surveillance. 'Every time we exited the hotel, we saw police. A lot of us were followed by people in plain clothing, but we knew that they were intelligence.' Soomar claimed that passports had been confiscated. She said the experience has been frustrating, but 'none of us have had time to process our emotions, as we're still in fight and flight mode'. Despite the challenges, she said that the goal is to keep the focus on what is happening in Palestine. 'We just have to keep pushing like the Palestinians have been pushing for over a hundred years. We can't let it dishearten use the lessons to mobilise again.' Cape Times
IOL News
16-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
'Global March to Gaza': SA delegate head shares details of alleged harassment in Egypt
The GMTG, was part of a global solidarity movement where on June 13, 2025, thousands of citizens from over 50 countries mobilised in a peaceful, civic-led demonstration to 'demand justice, humanity, and an end to the ongoing genocide in Gaza'. Image: Jimi Matthews/Facebook Many South African delegates who formed part of the Global March to Gaza (GMTG), have returned home, with several others still arriving Monday evening and Tuesday, claiming they faced intimidation, detention, and roadblocks by Egyptian authorities. The GMTG, was part of a global solidarity movement where on Friday, thousands of citizens from over 50 countries mobilised in a peaceful, civic-led demonstration to 'demand justice, humanity, and an end to the ongoing genocide in Gaza'. However, several South African delegates were among those who claimed they were intimidated and had their passports confiscated by Egyptian authorities at various checkpoints during their journey. In a social media post over the weekend, former member of Parliament, and Nelson Mandela's grandson, Mandla Mandela, who was among the SA delegation in attendance, explained that they were not allowed to proceed and were held for over six hours. Head of SA delegation, Basheerah Soomar, said in an interview on Monday that roughly 50 South Africans were part of their GMTC, and that their experience in Egypt had been an 'unwelcoming one, as some had already found themselves being detained upon arrival at the airport'. 'They tried to detain as many people coming in, but they couldn't prove why.' Sommar said that as soon as the embassy opened, she spoke to the secretaries and the ambassador, so that they would be aware that people were coming. The International Relations Department's spokesperson, Chrispin Phiri, said: 'Our embassy advised South African march participants that the area (near the crossing) was restricted and queried whether they had confirmation of authorisation from the authorities. 'This was not clear to the embassy during the initial engagements, and the participation proceeded.' Phiri confirmed that full consular services were being rendered to citizens who came to Egypt. Soomar said people were questioned at their hotels. 'Searching our phones and explicitly asking if we're joining the march. So that obviously, there was leaked info about which countries were staying where. They didn't take any South Africans into detention because they didn't have any evidence. We all prepared for that and cleared all our phones.' Soomar said claimed were followed by Egyptian forces. 'We couldn't go ahead with the plan of getting fetched by buses because we knew we were being surveilled. Every time we exited the hotel, we saw police. A lot of us were followed by people in plain clothing, but we knew that they were intelligence.' Soomar claimed that passports had been confiscated. "There were three checkpoints along the route where we all got stopped. Some people made it to the third gate - those who had left earlier - and they ended up blocking 300 people there. 'I ended up at the second checkpoint, the same one that Mandla Mandela was at. That's where most of us got stopped.' "Some people did try to not hand over their passports, but when people started saying no, they actually started getting aggressive'. 'They kept us there for like five or six hours, and we didn't have access to water or food.' Thereafter, after more police forces arrived, an official told them they would not receive a permit for their march. 'There was no negotiation. It was very clear that it was a no. That was the first time we received an answer in two months. And then they were like, you have an ultimatum.' She said people were put onto buses where they were driven around and dropped off at various spots in Cairo. 'We obviously didn't stay at the same hotel because we... were still clearly being surveilled. 'We're just encouraging our people to leave as soon as possible because as a global committee, we decided that no further activity will take place in Cairo… All South Africans are accounted for. So, we don't have anyone missing. But we're just trying to get everyone home safe as soon as possible.'
