CAIRO: The American Code Pink delegation entered Gaza through the Rafah border crossing Saturday but two Egyptians traveling with them were denied entry.
Sixty-eight American members of the delegation traveling with the Code Pink peace organization went through upon arrival at the crossing, but the two Egyptians were sent back.
Unlike the fate of many groups attempting to enter Gaza, the Code Pink delegation was not kept at the crossing for a sustained length of time.
Amongst the delegates who entered was Israeli-Palestinian relations political scientist Norman Finkelstein. Other delegations traveling under the umbrella of Code Pink entered last week after being kept at the crossing for days.
The delegation is heading to Gaza at this time as a message to US President Barack Obama, who will visit Saudi Arabia and Egypt this week.
Code Pink cofounder Medea Benjamin said in a press release, “We think if President Obama is serious about being even-handed and reversing our country’s past favoritism towards Israel, then he should visit Gaza himself.
“We’re sure that if he saw and heard about the suffering personally, he would put the required pressure on the governments of both Israel and Egypt to open the borders now.
Another delegation will attempt to enter Gaza via Israel June 7. Traveling with that delegation is the famed doctor Patch Adams, now 64.
Delegation coordinator and retired army colonel Ann Wright told Daily News Egypt from Al-Arish last Friday that although the trips were planned before the announcement of Obama’s visit, his presence gave it a new dimension.
“These trips were planned before Obama announced he was coming. The purpose is for people of the international community to see what’s going on in Gaza and go back and tell their communities, she said. “Now that Obama is coming, we want him to go to Gaza.
A delegation numbering 39 American students and nine Canadians managed to enter Gaza last Tuesday after being stopped at the Rafah border crossing for 24 hours.
Other European delegations that were held at the border for weeks were also permitted entry on the same day.
