(December 28, 2009) 85 year old holocaust survivor Hedy Epstein begins hunger strike to open Gaza borders.
(December 27, 2009) Egyptian security forces detain internationals in el-Arish, break up memorial actions in Cairo.
(December 23, 2009) Within the next few days, over thirteen hundred people from 42
countries will be en route to Egypt and Israel to participate in the
Gaza Freedom March on December 31. In fact, some are already there. But
the Egyptian government is threatening to pull the plug on the march.
We need to stand in solidarity with the people of Gaza.
Using the pretext of escalating tensions on the Gaza-Egypt border,
the Egyptian Foreign Ministry announced that the Rafah border crossing
between Egypt and Gaza will be closed over the coming weeks, into
January. This comes in addition to the news that Egypt is building a
new separation wall at the border to stop cross-border smuggling. The
US is clearly playing a role in encouraging Egypt, a major recipient of
US aid, to make these moves. Unfortunately, the Israeli-imposed siege
on Gaza leaves Palestinians in the Strip with no alternative but the
tunnels to survive. The solution to the smuggling will come when the
siege is lifted, not when it is further entrenched.
Tell Egypt to let the marchers in and to stop the wall!
Solidarity actions will be taking place around the world at the same time as the march, including several sponsored by JVP. Please go here to find an event near you.
Be sure to check our website (http://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org)
on December 31. A number of JVPers will be at the march. Technology
permitting, they will live blog their impressions from the march and
from inside Gaza.
Thanks!

Sydney Levy
Jewish Voice for Peace