Latest news with #GreatMarchToGaza
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pro-Palestine protesters on ‘march to Gaza' beaten by Egyptian police
Egyptian authorities halted demonstrators planning to march to the country's border with Gaza with the stated aim of breaking Israel's blockade on the territory. A separate convoy of protesters travelling from Tunisia to meet the larger group was also stopped on Friday by security forces in eastern Libya. Men in plain clothes were seen in footage kicking and beating demonstrators and attempting to drag some away from the group. The protesters responded by throwing water at the men, video footage shows. It was not immediately clear whether the assaults were by security services or bystanders, and what unfolded prior to the altercations. Organisers of the protest – Global March to Gaza – said that 4,000 protesters from 80 countries were planning to land in Egypt for the demonstration. The additional convoy coming to Egypt overland was said to be around another 2,000 people. Credit: X/@globalmarchgaza | X/@bopanc Passports of at least 40 people were confiscated, organisers said, after demonstrators demanded to be let through a checkpoint patrolled by officers in riot gear and flanked by armoured vehicles. Security forces then began forcibly detaining and removing activists to halt the protests. 'Forty participants of the Global March to Gaza have had their passports taken at a checkpoint on the way out of Cairo,' organisers said in a statement. 'They are being held in the heat and not allowed to move,' the statement said, adding that another '15 are being held at hotels'. The activists are from France, Spain, Canada, Turkey and the United Kingdom, the statement said. It added: 'We are a peaceful movement and we are complying with Egyptian law.' The group urged embassies to help secure their release so they could complete their voyage. Among those who have been detained include Irish MP Paul Murphy, Turkish MP Faruk Dincer, and Hala Rharrit, a former US diplomat who resigned from her position over Washington's handling of the war in Gaza. A clip of Dincer, released by his political party, shows him in blood-stained clothes. A statement said that he 'was injured as a result of an attack'. 'We have had our passports confiscated and are being detained,' Mr Murphy posted on X. 'It seems Egyptian authorities have decided to crack down on the #GreatMarchTo Gaza. We are refusing to board the deportation bus.' Murphy, along with others, are now being taken to the airport in Cairo and will be deported. Some activists, like Ms Rharrit, were detained and interrogated upon arriving in Cairo. As reports were released of demonstrators being blocked, arrested and deported, some international activists who arrived to Cairo later chose instead to stay behind. The march drew a number of high-profile participants, including Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela, a former South African lawmaker and grandson of Nelson Mandela. It is the latest in a spate of similar demonstrations, aimed at drawing attention to the devastating humanitarian crises that have swept the Gaza Strip after Israel sealed the border and blocked aid trucks from entering in March. The Madleen, a Gaza-bound aid boat carrying Greta Thunberg, the Swedish climate activist, arrived at an Israeli port earlier in the week. She and the other activists on board were quickly deported by Israeli authorities. Israel began allowing some limited aid into Gaza last month, but experts and charities have said the supplies were nowhere near the volume needed for the enclave, which has been bombarded with Israeli strikes. The march underscores Egypt's challenging position as a country that receives US military aid, and the first Arab nation to sign a peace treaty with Israel in 1979. The country, similarly to Jordan, has simultaneously cracked down on pro-Palestine activists while publicly calling for the war in Gaza to end. Israel Katz, the Israeli defence minister, said on Wednesday he expected the Egyptian authorities to prevent and halt the demonstrators at 'the border of Egypt-Israel and not allow them to carry out provocations and to try to enter into Gaza'. Mr Katz said the arrival of the demonstrators could 'endanger the security of the IDF [Israel Defence Forces] soldiers and we will not allow it'. Alexis Deswaef, a Belgian human rights lawyer, said he woke up to find dozens of security vehicles packed with uniformed officers in an area of Cairo where he and other activists were staying in hotels ahead of the planned march. 'I am so surprised to see the Egyptians doing the dirty work of Israel,' he said. The UK has updated its travel advice for Egypt in light of the detentions and deportations linked to the march, and has advised 'against all travel towards North Sinai'. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Extra.ie
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Extra.ie
Irish citizens held in Egypt, including TD Paul Murphy released
People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy has been released from detention by the Egyptian authorities after being held in the region on Friday. The Irish politician was among a group of people who were travelling through Egypt to reach Rafah on the Global March to Gaza, when the incident took place. The party reported on Friday that Mr Murphy and the group had their passports confiscated by Egyptian authorities who were attempting to have them board a bus, which they refused. People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy has been released from detention by the Egyptian authorities after being held in the region on Friday. Pic: Sam Boal/Collins Photos In a post on X, Mr Murphy wrote: 'We have had our passports confiscated and are being detained. 'It seems Egyptian authorities have decided to crack down on the #GreatMarchToGaza. 'We are refusing to board the deportation bus,' he added. The Irish politician was among a group of people who were travelling through Egypt to reach Rafah on the Global March to Gaza, when the incident took place. Pic: X A final tweet from the TD's account reads: 'These are the final seconds we have from Paul. His phone has been taken, and his passport. We urgently need Minister for Foreign Affairs @SimonHarrisTD to intervene, demand he is freed, his passport & phone returned and the protesters are allowed to peacefully #MarchToGaza.' People Before Profit have since confirmed Mr Murphy's release, with Councillor Jess Spear commenting: 'It is a relief to hear that Paul and the others in his group have been released and are ok. However, they still want to reach Rafah to try and get humanitarian aid into Gaza. That has been the sole purpose of being in Egypt. 'Paul has appealed to Tánaiste Simon Harris to put pressure on the Egyptian authorities to let the marchers reach Rafah. The situation of the people of Gaza worsens by the day as they suffer starvation imposed by Israel. We need to get humanitarian aid to them as quickly as possible.' The party reported on Friday that Mr Murphy and the group had their passports confiscated by Egyptian authorities who were attempting to have them board a bus, which they refused. Pic: X In a post on X on Saturday, Simon Harris confirmed he is currently in contact with Egyptian authorities. 'I have spoken with @IRLEmbCairo & I can confirm that there are no Irish citizens currently in detention in Egypt relating to the march to Rafah. All Irish citizens have had their passports returned. A small number have not had their phones returned & our Embassy is pursuing this.' Mr Murphy also shared an update on the platform, writing: 'We were finally released late last night at airport. Police still have our phones. We are back in Cairo and meeting shortly to decide next steps. We're focused on Israel's genocide and starvation of Gaza. Thanks for your support. Free Palestine.' We were finally released late last night at airport. Police still have our phones. We are back in Cairo and meeting shortly to decide next steps. We're focused on Israel's genocide and starvation of Gaza. Thanks for your support. Free Palestine 🇵🇸 🇵🇸🇵🇸#GlobalMarchToGaza
North Wales Chronicle
a day ago
- Politics
- North Wales Chronicle
Irish politician says passport confiscated while detained on march to Gaza
Paul Murphy, a TD (MP) with People Before Profit-Solidarity, is among a large group of people that is attempting to reach the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza. He flew to Cairo on Thursday and set off towards Gaza on Friday. Mr Murphy said in a social media post: 'We have had our passports confiscated and are being detained. 'It seems Egyptian authorities have decided to crack down on the #GreatMarchToGaza.' My bus and group of marchers has been stopped by the Egyptian authorities and our passports taken. They are telling us to get on a bus, but it is not clear where they will take us. We fear they intend to report us to stop us from marching to Gaza. — Paul Murphy 🇵🇸 (@paulmurphy_TD) June 13, 2025 Mr Murphy said his passport had been confiscated by the Egyptian army, along with the passports of other people stopped in the group. He said those being detained are being asked to board a bus and believe they are going to be deported. He added: 'We are refusing to board the deportation bus.' Mr Murphy told the PA news agency that several other Irish citizens are among those who have been stopped. In a video, he said: 'Its looking worrying that the Egyptian authorities are going to act to prevent our peaceful march to Gaza, to demand that Israel's blockade of humanitarian aid – of food, of water, of medical supplies – is ended. 'I'm just asking people to redouble their efforts, to get on to your own Government – in Ireland's case get on to (Foreign Affairs Minister) Simon Harris, your local TD – ask them to pressurise the Egyptian regime to allow us to engage in our peaceful march. He added: 'The world has watched a horrific genocide for the past 20 months. Since March, a total attempt of starvation. 'And that this a peaceful march to demand that it be ended and demand that western governments stop their complicity.'
North Wales Chronicle
a day ago
- Politics
- North Wales Chronicle
Phone and passport confiscated in Egypt from Irish politician marching to Gaza
Paul Murphy, a TD (MP) for People Before Profit-Solidarity, was among a large group of people attempting to reach the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza. A party spokesman said he and others have been forced onto buses and it is believed they are being taken to Cairo for deportation. Mr Murphy flew to Cairo on Thursday and set off towards Gaza on Friday. Prior to his phone being taken, he said in a social media post: 'We have had our passports confiscated and are being detained. 'It seems Egyptian authorities have decided to crack down on the #GreatMarchToGaza.' My bus and group of marchers has been stopped by the Egyptian authorities and our passports taken. They are telling us to get on a bus, but it is not clear where they will take us. We fear they intend to report us to stop us from marching to Gaza. — Paul Murphy 🇵🇸 (@paulmurphy_TD) June 13, 2025 Mr Murphy said his passport had been confiscated by the Egyptian army, along with the passports of other people in the group who were stopped. He said those being detained were being asked to board a bus and he believed they were going to be deported. He added: 'We are refusing to board the deportation bus.' Mr Murphy told the PA news agency that several other Irish citizens were among those who have been stopped. In a video, he said: 'It's looking worrying that the Egyptian authorities are going to act to prevent our peaceful march to Gaza, to demand that Israel's blockade of humanitarian aid, of food, of water, of medical supplies, is ended. 'I'm just asking people to redouble their efforts, to get on to your own Government, in Ireland's case get on to (Foreign Affairs Minister) Simon Harris, your local TD, ask them to pressurise the Egyptian regime to allow us to engage in our peaceful march.' He added: 'The world has watched a horrific genocide for the past 20 months. Since March, a total attempt of starvation. 'And that this a peaceful march to demand that it be ended and demand that western governments stop their complicity.' Mr Murphy also posted a livestream video on X in which Egyptian authorities could be seen forcibly dragging some of the participants away from a sit-down protest. The livestream abruptly ended after his phone was taken, a People Before Profit spokesman said, adding that the party is no longer able to contact him. A post by an administrator on his X account says: 'We urgently need Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris to intervene, demand he is freed, his passport and phone returned and the protesters are allowed to peacefully march to Gaza.' People Before Profit national secretary Matt Collins said: 'The Irish government must contact the Egyptian authorities to demand the release of Paul and the others who have been detained. 'They are travelling to join a peaceful march to demand that humanitarian aid is delivered to starving people in Gaza. There is no reason for them to be detained or deported. 'We also call on the public to contact the Egyptian embassy to demand that people on the Global March to Gaza are allowed to travel unhindered'. The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs said it was 'closely monitoring the situation' along with its embassy in Egypt. 'Embassy officials are engaging with the relevant local authorities and are in contact with EU and other partners regarding the situation. 'The department is in contact with a number of citizens and is providing advice and guidance. 'As set out in our travel advice, the vicinity of the Rafah border crossing is particularly dangerous at the moment and the border crossing is currently closed.'
Leader Live
a day ago
- Politics
- Leader Live
Phone and passport confiscated in Egypt from Irish politician marching to Gaza
Paul Murphy, a TD (MP) for People Before Profit-Solidarity, was among a large group of people attempting to reach the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza. A party spokesman said he and others have been forced onto buses and it is believed they are being taken to Cairo for deportation. Mr Murphy flew to Cairo on Thursday and set off towards Gaza on Friday. Prior to his phone being taken, he said in a social media post: 'We have had our passports confiscated and are being detained. 'It seems Egyptian authorities have decided to crack down on the #GreatMarchToGaza.' My bus and group of marchers has been stopped by the Egyptian authorities and our passports taken. They are telling us to get on a bus, but it is not clear where they will take us. We fear they intend to report us to stop us from marching to Gaza. — Paul Murphy 🇵🇸 (@paulmurphy_TD) June 13, 2025 Mr Murphy said his passport had been confiscated by the Egyptian army, along with the passports of other people in the group who were stopped. He said those being detained were being asked to board a bus and he believed they were going to be deported. He added: 'We are refusing to board the deportation bus.' Mr Murphy told the PA news agency that several other Irish citizens were among those who have been stopped. In a video, he said: 'It's looking worrying that the Egyptian authorities are going to act to prevent our peaceful march to Gaza, to demand that Israel's blockade of humanitarian aid, of food, of water, of medical supplies, is ended. 'I'm just asking people to redouble their efforts, to get on to your own Government, in Ireland's case get on to (Foreign Affairs Minister) Simon Harris, your local TD, ask them to pressurise the Egyptian regime to allow us to engage in our peaceful march.' He added: 'The world has watched a horrific genocide for the past 20 months. Since March, a total attempt of starvation. 'And that this a peaceful march to demand that it be ended and demand that western governments stop their complicity.' Mr Murphy also posted a livestream video on X in which Egyptian authorities could be seen forcibly dragging some of the participants away from a sit-down protest. The livestream abruptly ended after his phone was taken, a People Before Profit spokesman said, adding that the party is no longer able to contact him. A post by an administrator on his X account says: 'We urgently need Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris to intervene, demand he is freed, his passport and phone returned and the protesters are allowed to peacefully march to Gaza.' People Before Profit national secretary Matt Collins said: 'The Irish government must contact the Egyptian authorities to demand the release of Paul and the others who have been detained. 'They are travelling to join a peaceful march to demand that humanitarian aid is delivered to starving people in Gaza. There is no reason for them to be detained or deported. 'We also call on the public to contact the Egyptian embassy to demand that people on the Global March to Gaza are allowed to travel unhindered'. The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs said it was 'closely monitoring the situation' along with its embassy in Egypt. 'Embassy officials are engaging with the relevant local authorities and are in contact with EU and other partners regarding the situation. 'The department is in contact with a number of citizens and is providing advice and guidance. 'As set out in our travel advice, the vicinity of the Rafah border crossing is particularly dangerous at the moment and the border crossing is currently closed.'
