The Egyptian government recently arrested 10 activists who participated in a pro-Palestinian protest in Cairo. These activists accused the government of contributing to the siege of Gaza and called for the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador. Egypt has condemned Israel’s campaign in Gaza and has been involved in efforts to broker a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas. However, public protests are largely banned in Egypt, and criticism of the country’s ties with Israel is a sensitive issue.
A group of nearly 200 people gathered outside the Journalist Syndicate in Cairo to protest, waving Palestinian flags and chanting anti-siege slogans. They called for the opening of the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt and for an end to normalization with Israel. The activists also highlighted an agreement from 2007 that grants Israel the right to inspect convoys entering Gaza through the Rafah border crossing, which they say has hindered the flow of humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza.
Following the protest, 10 activists were arrested at their homes and detained for 15 days on charges of spreading false information and being associated with a terror group, often a reference to the banned Muslim Brotherhood. Egypt declared the Brotherhood a terrorist organization in 2013 after the removal of President Mohammed Morsi, who belonged to the Brotherhood, from power. Since then, the government has cracked down on political dissent and banned protests.
Since the outbreak of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, Egyptian authorities have arrested dozens of pro-Gaza protesters. The arrests have drawn criticism from human rights organizations, who argue that freedom of expression is being violated. Despite Egypt’s efforts to broker a cease-fire, critics argue that the government’s ties with Israel are contributing to the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza and are calling for a reversal of the 2007 agreement that limits aid to Gaza.
The European Union has announced plans to expedite financial aid to Egypt, bypassing usual safeguards. This move is seen as a way to support Egypt’s role in negotiating a peace agreement between Israel and Hamas. However, concerns remain about the human rights situation in Egypt and the government’s crackdown on dissent. The EU’s decision to provide aid may also further complicate the situation, as critics argue that it could be seen as supporting a repressive regime.
As tensions continue to rise in Gaza, the arrests of activists in Egypt and the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas highlight the complexities of the situation in the region. The Egyptian government’s crackdown on dissent and its role in negotiating a cease-fire raise questions about its commitment to human rights and freedom of expression. The international community, including the EU, will need to carefully navigate these issues as they seek to address the ongoing crisis in Gaza and promote peace in the region.
