http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/01/201019125026677911.html
Saturday, January 09, 2010
18:14 Mecca time, 15:14 GMT
Egypt bans Gaza aid convoys
Egypt accuses members of Viva Palestina of
inciting riots in El-Arish [AFP]
Egyptian authorities have announced that all aid convoys travelling to
Gaza will be banned from travelling across Egypt after a riot broke out at the
Rafah border crossing earlier in the week.
Ahmed Abul Gheit, Egypt's foreign minister, said in remarks published on
Saturday that members of Viva Palestina, the last convoy allowed through, had
"committed hostile acts, even criminal ones" on Egyptian soil.
"Egypt will no longer allow convoys, regardless of their origin or who is
organising them, from crossing its territory," he told government-backed
newspaper Al-Ahram.
More than 50 people were wounded during a clash between Egyptian
authorities and international members of the convoy on Tuesday after Egypt
decided to allow 139 vehicles to enter Gaza, but said a remaining 59 vehicles
would have to pass via Israel.
The Rafah border is the only crossing point into the Palestinian
territory not controlled by Israel. However, both Rafah and the
Israeli-controlled crossings have largely remained sealed since 2007, when the
Palestinian group Hamas gained control of the Strip.
British MP deported
George Galloway, the British MP leading Viva Palestina, was himself
deported by the Egyptian government on Friday.
In depth
'Fighting to break Gaza siege'
Viva Palestina's bumpy road
Inside Story: Gaza under siege
The politician was picked up by Egyptian officials at Rafah and driven to
Cairo, the capital, where he was placed on a flight back to London.
The Egyptian foreign ministry said Galloway had been declared "persona
non grata" and would not be allowed to return to the country, accusing him of
incitement over his criticism of the government.
Arrest warrants were also issued for seven other members of the convoy
after being accused of inciting riots in El-Arish, the Mediterranean port town
where Viva Palestina entered the country.
The Respect Party MP has been vocal in his criticism of Egyptian
authorities in recent days.
"It's always been a badge of honour to be deported by a tin-pot dictator
and that's what happened," he said after arriving at London's Heathrow airport.
Aid handover
Abul Gheit, who spoke to Al-Ahram during a visit to Washington, said
future aid convoys will have to turn their supplies over to El-Arish's Red
Crescent chapter.
The relief organisation would then be responsible for transferring the
aid to its Palestinian counterpart.
Israel and Egypt have severely restricted travel to and from the Gaza
Strip, and only very basic supplies are allowed in.
Aid organisations say the siege has placed Gazans in a dire situation,
made worse by the Israel's offensive last year that reduced much of the
territory to ruins.
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