Activists protest Gaza blockade at Egypt’s embassy in The Hague
Activists have been protesting at the Egyptian embassy in the Dutch city The Hague against Egypt’s involvement in blocking aid from reaching Gaza, prompting the Egyptian President Abdelfattah al-Sisi to reach out to the Dutch Prime Minister to reiterate commitment to a ceasefire.
According to the New Arab plus agencies on August 1st, Sisi held a phone call with the Dutch Prime Minister after the second protest at the embassy was carried out by Dutch activists.
A spokesperson for the Egyptian president stated that during their call Sisi stressed the need to uphold international law and protect foreign diplomatic premises.
On July 21st the Egyptian activist led a protest which involved locking the doors to the Egyptian embassy in the Hague whilst staff were inside, which was followed days later by Dutch activists once again locking the embassy doors.
In both instances the police cut the locks open and briefly detained the protesters.
The acts were aimed at drawing attention to the crisis in Gaza of the lack of humanitarian aid which has led to food shortages. The activists were denouncing Egypt’s role in maintaining the blockade through the continued closure of the Rafah crossing with Gaza.
The Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof reaffirmed the Netherlands commitment to securing diplomatic missions, and welcomed Egypt’s support for a ceasefire in Gaza.
The Egyptian government has faced significant criticism and protest over the closure of the Rafah border crossing.
On July 25th a group of Egyptian citizens infiltrated the state security headquarters in a police station south of Cairo and detained officials for hours protesting Egypt’s involvement in the closure of the Rafah crossing.
A serious incident like this where a government building is infiltrated by civilians had not occurred since Sisi took power in 2013 until this protest on July 25th.
The call between Sisi and Schoof also encompassed wider issues including cooperation between Egypt and the Netherlands regarding trade, energy, investment, agriculture, and water management, according to the New Arab plus agencies.
Schoof is said to have praised Egypt’s “efforts” in curbing irregular migration and “fighting terrorism.”
Sisi has publicly opposed the displacement of Palestinians, called for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and supported a two-state solution with East Jerusalem as the capital of a Palestinian state.
New Arab / Agencies/Maghrebi
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