Both Gaza Freedom March and Viva Palestina are having trouble entering Gaza. The news for the past few days has been that the boarder is completely closed due to security reasons. The government here also said that the Gaza Freedom March cannot go forward and delegates are not allowed to meet in groups larger than 6 people.
Despite that we are still organizing. Earlier this evening we received positive news.

Below is an excerpt from an email from one of the organizers:

Tonight, the Ma’am News Agency put out a release saying, “Despite earlier announcements that the crossing would be closed until January, Egyptian officials will open the Rafah crossing for four days next week, three for general traffic and a fourth for Egyptian citizens. Head of the Administration of crossings in the de facto government Ghazi Hamad announced Saturday that the crossings would be open starting Tuesday 29 December. On Friday Egyptian nationals only will be permitted to cross. Each day 10-12 buses loaded with 60-70 passengers each will leave Gaza” ... See More

The Foreign Ministry, however, has told us they knew nothing about this and that our situation, i.e. being denied entry, had not changed. For us, however, this represents a major change because it means there might be an opening since the government can no longer say that the border is too unsafe.

In light of this, we are re-adjusting plans to try to leave Cairo on the morning of December 28, as planned.

The people of Gaza are waiting for us. There are demonstrations planned in the West Bank, Israel proper, and all over the world, as well. On Dec 31st the international community will raise their voices in support of the Palestinian people and speak out against the murderous siege.

To my friends in NY: I cannot stress the importance of your help. The US government can and will apply pressure on both Egypt and Israel if there is enough support. At home, I urge everyone who supports the Palestinian cause to march with Al-Awda: The Palestine Right to Return Coalition, on Sunday, December 27, 2009 from 1:00pm - 4:00pm at 50th & 5th Ave, Rockefeller Center.

I am asking you to show your support, not for the Gaza Freedom March, or for Viva Palestina, but for the Palestinians. Please help us to break the siege.