Palestine the Arab world has a long history, this is particularly the case for Egypt, who has fought wars, loosing (1967) and gaining (1973) land, on behalf of Palestine, at least that was Egypt's line.
There seems to be a disconnect between the Egyptian people and administration. Egyptian people are very much supportive of Palestine and its rights as a state and as a people. However, it's not like the Egyptian government especially under Mubarak has been outwardly carrying the same sentiments, closing borders, preventing food transportation between Egypt and Palestine, and also sitting on the fence at international peace conferences. It is, to some extent, easy to understand why. Egypt is, and always has been, toeing a precarious line between the West and the Middle East. Egypt has important relationships with the biggest countries in the West - it is the second biggest receiver of American money, after, would you believe it, Israel. Therefore, Egypt has to be careful.
However, since the fall of Mubarak, people in Egypt, especially Cairo are talking, shouting, protesting, singing about numerous demands. Better wages, secular government, islamic government, Christian power, removal of Christians - it's all very dichotomous. However, one thing all Egyptians seem to agree on is the necessary amelioration of the plight of Palestinians.
There was a huge demonstration in Cairo last week (see picture below), where Egyptians were calling for an uprising of the Palestinian people, much like the infamous 'al nakba' or 'catastrophe', when approximately 700,000 Palestinians were fled/expelled (much debate around which it was fled - means they chose to leave out of their own fear/willing, expelled - means there is responsibility on the Israeli side ... all very important discussions in law, all of which I feel is disgraceful, however this is a debate for another time) at the time of Israel's declaration of statehood in 1948.
Yesterday, the Palestinian people did just that. However, according to Al Jazeera, at least one Palestinian was killed and up to 80 others wounded in northern Gaza as Israeli troops opened fire on a march of at least 1,000 people heading towards the Erez crossing between the Gaza Strip and Israel.
This is a very important symbol for Palestinians - the key to their homes, many still have them since they fled/were expelled from their homes in 1948, many will show you without a moments notice. However, the key the child is holding, is symbolically in front of the Wall - divined the Israel's territory and the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
In Egypt, last night there was a pro-Palestinian protest at the Israeli embassy, and it has been reported by witnesses that at least 120 people were injured, one of them critically, when Egyptian security forces attacked the demonstrators. Activists told Al Jazeera that army and internal security troops used tear gas, rubber-coated bullets and live ammunition to disperse thousands of protesters. At least two protesters were shot by live ammunition, while others were hospitalised after inhaling tear gas or being hit by rubber-coated steel bullets, some of which penetrated the skin, witnesses said (Al Jazeera). 60 people were detained, their fate is difficult to know, however their will be taken to court apparently.
Military and security forces near the embassy briefly stopped and questioned an Al Jazeera television crew and confiscated the team's camera, according to Rawya Rageh, our correspondent in Cairo. The officers destroyed a videotape and took some of the crew's personal items, including notebooks and a camera, she said. Are we returning the the ways of the Mubarak regime? Can the military stand-in government handle a society in transition, in discussion? Here is the disconnect in full view between the administration and the people.
Palestine is an issue that needs to be discussed by Egypt and by the international community. For Egypt's sake because their need be no deaths and for the international community's because decisions Egypt makes on the issue are bound to affect them. However, most of all for the Palestinians and Israelis who want to live together - FAIRLY.
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