Free Gaza Boat's members condemn being denied access through the Rafah terminal

Monday September 01, 2008 15:47 by Rami Almeghari - IMEMC & Agencies

Members of the Free Gaza Boat, who opted to leave Gaza through the Rafah crossing terminal, in solidarity with the Palestinian people, condemned on Monday the Egyptian authorities denial of their access through the terminal.

Rafah Crossing Terminal

British journalist Lauran Bauth, who was among the five internationals, wanting to enter, said such a decision is political-driven, as the five hold legal documents and valid international passports.

Bouth added that the denial came after the Israeli authorities blocked their entry back through the Israel-controlled checkpoint of Eritz in northern Gaza, calling on Egypt to allow them in.

Kenth Okaivi, a British journalist, demanded his government to intervene to the Egyptian authorities for allowing them in the Egyptian territories en-route to their destinations.

Okaivi believed that the Egyptian authorities have brought shame onto Egypt by preventing passage of these internationals.

Earlier this week, Egypt reopened the Rafah crossing terminal for hundreds of stranded patients, students and travelers at both sides of the Gaza-Egypt borders.

The last reopening is said to be the eighth in this year as Israel continues to close all border crossings of Gaza for more than 14 months now.

Last month, a group of 44 internationals managed to enter the besieged coastal territory via sea , coming from Cyprus. More than 30 Free Gaza campaign participants left last Thursday, while few others stayed in Gaza until they were denied travel by the Egyptian authorities.

gaza strip | miscellaneous | news report rami at imemc dot org