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Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, May-June 2009, pages 68-69 Waging Peace Levantine Center Hosts Gaza Benefit
IN A FIRST-of-its-kind experiment, the Levantine Cultural Center engaged speakers for its March 4 Gaza benefit to participate in a live KPFK radio conversation with Don Bustany, host of “Middle East In Focus.” CODEPINK co-founder Jodie Evans explained to Bustany that on March 8, a delegation of 60 CODEPINK members, including novelist Alice Walker, intended to enter Gaza from al-Arish, Egypt through the Rafah crossing. And they would be bringing colorful pink baskets filled with soaps and other necessary items for Gazan mothers. Nile Alwardani told Bustany that tons of food and supplies were rotting in the stadium of al-Arish because the Egyptian government of President Hosni Mubarak refused to let them enter Gaza. “The Egyptian people are furious,” Alwardani stated. “They feel they are kindred spirits of the Gazans. Young Egyptians protested at the Rafah border and were arrested.” Alwardani said that Egypt’s border closure is due to government fears that if Hamas prevails in Gaza, it will empower the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt. Actor Eric Roberts and actress Raya Meddine also appeared at the Gaza benefit, which ended with music of Nasser Musa and Vanya Green. —Pat McDonnell Twair |
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