CAIRO: A group of 200 Muslim Brotherhood supporters protested Monday in Tahrir Square against the ongoing Israeli military offensive on Gaza. The crowd waved the Palestinian flag chanting anti-Israel slogans.
Police presence exceeded the number of protesters, with security forces surrounding the protest, cordoning off bystanders, journalists and employees at the Tahrir Mugamma’ who were showing them their IDs.
A security official prevented a group of reporters from approaching the protestors. “No media presence is allowed. We have clear orders to confiscate cameras and arrest people if we have to, he said.
Tahrir Square was under police siege and the protestors dispersed an hour later. Some news reports suggest that around 50 members of the Brotherhood were arrested.
Simultaneously, at the American University in Cairo’s downtown Greek campus, approximately 50 students participated in a protest against Israel’s assaults on Gaza. The university’s security staff prevented reporters from approaching the students.
“Nobody from outside the campus is allowed to communicate with the students, a security officer told Daily News Egypt.
A few hours later, over 100 people gathered on the stairs of the Journalists’ Syndicate in yet another display of anger at Israel and its allies including Egypt.
Demonstrators demanded that Egypt cut relations with Israel and stop exporting gas to it. The gathering called on Hamas leaders to keep fighting and also expressed support for Lebanon’s Hezbollah.
“Hezbollah is not a terrorist organization; resistance is not an act of terror, the crowd shouted.
The protest also criticized the Egyptian government.
Members of Kefaya, April 6 Movement, Al Tagammou’ Party and the Socialists Movement took part in the protest. The Israeli flag was burned amidst apathetic looks from those passing by.
“We hoped for a bigger crowd but most students are taking exams now, said Doaa Bastouny, 21, student at Helwan University.
“We will try harder next time, she added.
