30 December, 2009

[The Ed’s comment: The depressing state of affairs that has come about in Cairo precisely illustrates the bankrupt nature of the ‘left’ in the so-called developed world, which argues and scores points of one kind or another whilst the Zionists continue to kill with impunity! I am especially disappointed with Code Pink’s behaviour having applauded their imaginative work around the invasion/occupation of Iraq. When will we learn? Also, I’ve not formatted these email texts, just reordered them, putting Keith Hammond’s analysis first. The rest concerns assistance that some South African comrades need (from their own government!)]

From: Keith Hammond [mailto:k.hammond@educ.gla.ac.uk]
Sent: Wed 30/12/2009 12:14
To: Nur Masalha
Subject: RE: ????? ?????: The Good out of the Misery Re: [middle_east_alum] First Report from Cairo: Freedom Marching in Circles While Winding Our Way to Gaza

The problem has been this :

On first arriving we had a legal ban placed on us. Europeans have organised on a basis where we do not take any notice of the law. Codepink have used those activities to put pressure on the Egyptian authorities.

The French for instance – around 300 – mobilised on the basis of resistance. The Spanish tried to get to al Arish in different ways. Similar actions were taken by others. Some of the activities in Cairo have been extremely high risk – for instance at the Journalist’s Syndicate. It was like World War III: riot police everywhere. Meetings have been bust up. Proprietors threatened. Hotel arrests. People being followed everywhere and so on and so on. Whilst the Codepink people have simply put pressure on the authorities to get all the right permission to press on in a tiny group.

The French who have had it very rough have not even had a visit from the Codepink. They have been demonised as though they were the extremists, dispupting things for everyone. I have spent a lot of time with the French and they are simply determined to expose the Egyptian role in this whole business.

What is going on right now is meetings, lots of wind and blaming the Codepink for a lot of the duplicity and betrayal. They have had hell of a job to get enough people to go with them and the Egyptians have exploited their compliance something terrible. So now the media here is full of this story about the moderate, reasonable Americans who are working in complete harmony with the Egyptians whilst the rest of us are extremist anarchists who disobey law as a matter of routine.

There has been no unity … How could there be … So what is happening now is people are finally coming around to a single position where we march en masse … Legal or no legal we make a stand and oppose the Egyptian authorities … It will be all or nothing. In the mean time there are loads on hunger strikes here. Different contingents are staying close to the collective as well as starving or fasting.

Many of us have been chased around, followed, questioned and Christ knows what until we are dizzy. We have made our way from one part of the city to the next and been hammered and shoved about until we are not of this world Nur. The intensity and pace has been relentless. Some groups like the French and the South Africans have been outstanding. Nothing frantic and nothing waffley … There are others who want to talk and talk … So really what has gone oon is not unusual. The usual suspects have come to the fore.

Codepink have set things back considerably. But everyone – in all the different groups – have made huge experiences. Some of this has to be thought through … and translated into new organisational insights. We have made invaluable experiences and it has been sooooo difficult at times. But there will no progress on Palestine until we expose places like this and build alliances with the local unions and so forth … And of course we must keep Palestinians safe. I am just hoping that there are not casualties in Gaza …

But there is no doubt that Mubarak must be shown to be the partner of Israel that he has shown himself to be. He has supported Israel way beyond anything that might have been expected … He has hammered us … done everything short of real jail and deportations. That will be next … things will now get even more fierce. There is everything still being fought out … Meetings everywhere …

All best,

Keith – exhausted but on my feet !!!

From: Keith Hammond [mailto:k.hammond@educ.gla.ac.uk]

Sent: Wed 30/12/2009 09:57
To: Nur Masalha
Subject: RE: The Good out of the Misery Re: [middle_east_alum] First Report from Cairo: Freedom Marching in Circles While Winding Our Way to Gaza
Nur,

This is very important. The South African delegate are escorted [by] two cops at a time out of their hotel and to wherever they go … It is now warming up EVEN MORE and they need a legal contact here in Cairo ….

Can you help ?

The contact is Judge Siraj Desai and his number is 0836339673 ….

His email is mailto:sdesai@justice.gov.za

There is another email with contact details that I am sending …. But these people are high profile and they are definitely a target …

The next email will follow
Keith

From: Keith Hammond [mailto:k.hammond@educ.gla.ac.uk]
Sent: Wed 30/12/2009 10:15
To: Nur Masalha
Cc: ahdaf@hotmail.com
Subject: RE: URGENT!!!!! Gaza Freedom March 31 December
Hi Nur

Can you contact haroonwadee@mweb.co.za

And a sdesai@justice.gov.za

Both are part of a very high profile delegation and I think they need contacts for lawyers here. Because they are SA they are a particular target and I would be very grateful if their emails could be given to a lawyer …

I also think it would be helpful if as many Cairo / British lawyers were on stand by at some point over the next couple of days just in case things kick off … Some people like our SA friends need protection, as I say they are particular targets ….

Keith

From: Keith Hammond [mailto:k.hammond@educ.gla.ac.uk]
Sent: Wed 30/12/2009 10:16
To: Nur Masalha
Subject: RE: ????? ?????: The Good out of the Misery Re: [middle_east_alum] First Report from Cairo: Freedom Marching in Circles While Winding Our Way to Gaza

It is a roller coaster here …. But as in my previous email I am worried about S African friends. They were escorted out of their hotels yesterday, two cops to one delegate. Because they represent so much in terms of the fight against apartheid they are vulnerable right now …

Please contact them …

ahdaf@hotmail.com

Keith

From: Keith Hammond [mailto:k.hammond@educ.gla.ac.uk]
Sent: Wed 30/12/2009 10:19
To: Nur Masalha
Subject: RE: ????? ?????: The Good out of the Misery Re: [middle_east_alum] First Report from Cairo: Freedom Marching in Circles While Winding Our Way to Gaza

What happens next is what has been staring us in the face since we arrived – full in your face resistance. No one need to be put at risk but we cannot be managed by the Egyptians in the way that the Code Pink advocate. We now move onto yet another mode of operation.

I have a fever and no voice. Hardly any sleep because meetings go on so late etc.

More later ….

Keith

From: Keith Hammond [mailto:k.hammond@educ.gla.ac.uk]
Sent: Wed 30/12/2009 10:28
To: Nur Masalha
Subject: RE: ????? ?????: The Good out of the Misery Re: [middle_east_alum] First Report from Cairo: Freedom Marching in Circles While Winding Our Way to Gaza

After all that has happerned a bus finally went off to Rafah – quietly – one hour ago … About 80 on it ! Chaos here Nur …

But now it will really get difficult – even though we are rid of Codepink … ! Dreadful betrayal Nur … The way they have operated has been beyond words. I am just concerned that that those Palestinians marching will noyt now be vulnerable ,… Please write if you hear anything.

Keith

From: Keith Hammond [mailto:k.hammond@educ.gla.ac.uk]
Sent: Wed 30/12/2009 12:14
To: Nur Masalha
Subject: RE: ????? ?????: The Good out of the Misery Re: [middle_east_alum] First Report from Cairo: Freedom Marching in Circles While Winding Our Way to Gaza

Nur

I am looking through other emails and it feels like I am in another reality … The world merrily ticks over and in Gaza they get hell and we get our list taste of Middle East law and order … How do you bring all this together ? How can we build on everything and move the whole experience on to further the cause of Palestine. I am constantly asking myself this … Where does one go in this hell? I know is restance … All I know is saying I will not give an inch to these bastards. And I dare say everyone else here is making similar resolutions.

Keith