The solidarity convoy have released a statement in response:

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The Steering Committee of the Steadfastness Convoy to Break the Siege on Gaza and Stop the Genocide wishes to address our brothers in Egypt with the following:

This convoy does not carry any particular political or ideological affiliation. Rather, it is a popular Maghrebi convoy that includes male and female citizens, including some civil activists of various affiliations. It does not hold any biased position against the Egyptian regime and has no connection to the internal affairs of sisterly Egypt. Its relationship with the Egyptian authorities is limited to communication regarding the legal, administrative, and security aspects related to the convoy's route on its territory, just like its relationship with the Algerian, Tunisian, and Libyan authorities

The sole goal of this convoy is to contribute to breaking the unjust siege on our people in Gaza and stopping their genocide. It does not aim to pressure or embarrass any country through which the convoy will pass. We also agree with the Egyptian position, which rejects the displacement of our people in Gaza to Egypt.

We appreciate the Egyptian state's sensitivity regarding its sovereignty over its borders. Therefore, our convoy took the initiative weeks ago to communicate in various ways with the Egyptian authorities, whether through its embassy in Tunisia or through intermediaries in Cairo. We also officially wrote to the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, explaining the nature and objectives of the steadfastness land convoy. We do not want and do not intend to enter Egypt without the approval of the authorities and an understanding with them regarding the various entry procedures.

We previously made clear in an official meeting with the Egyptian ambassador in Tunisia that if the Egyptian authorities allow us -

access to the Rafah crossing, we will not attempt to exploit our presence in Egypt to direct a speech against the Egyptian authorities. Rather, our speech will be directed exclusively against the Zionist enemy that is exterminating and starving our people in Gaza

In conclusion, we are all hopeful that Egypt and its great people will respond to this historic turning point in the fate of Palestine and the Arab nation. We are confident that Egypt, which has made enormous sacrifices in the blood and resources of its people, will not refuse to let its brothers and sisters, the sons and daughters of its nation, enter it to support the people of Gaza, lift the siege on them, demand an end to the genocide, allow the entry of humanitarian aid, and reject displacement plans.

📝TL;DR:
The Steadfastness Convoy to Gaza clarifies that it is a non-political, grassroots Maghrebi effort aimed solely at breaking the siege on Gaza and stopping the genocide. It holds no hostile stance toward Egypt and respects Egyptian sovereignty. The convoy has formally communicated with Egyptian authorities and seeks legal entry through Rafah, without any intent to interfere in Egypt’s internal affairs. Its only goal is to support Gaza, not to pressure or criticize any state.


القافلة المتوجهة لغزة بتحكي إنه هي شعبية من المغرب العربي، مش تابعة لأي جهة سياسية أو أيديولوجية، وكل هدفها كسر الحصار عن غزة ووقف المجازر. ما إلها أي نية تدخل بشؤون مصر الداخلية، وبتحترم سيادة مصر على حدودها. القافلة تواصلت رسميًا مع الجهات المصرية وبتطلب تدخل من خلال معبر رفح بطريقة قانونية ومنظمة، بدون ما تضغط أو تهاجم أي دولة. كل هدفها تدعم أهل غزة وبس.

@ThePalestinianObserver