Latest news with #Ismailia
Irish Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
Irish protesters on march to Gaza recall ‘sinister' detention and armed ‘paid locals' surrounding them
An Irish woman detained by Egyptian authorities during the global peaceful march to Gaza has described the experience as 'quite sinister' in parts. Helen Lawlor (42) and fellow protester Kellie McConnell (37) were among the Irish delegation detained during a global peaceful March to Gaza. About 2,500 people from more than 50 countries took part in the march earlier this month to protest against western military support for Israel in the conflict and to show solidarity with Palestinians under bombardment. About 50 Irish people had travelled to Cairo with the goal of marching to the Rafah crossing with Gaza. READ MORE Ms Lawlor, a nurse from Mountmellick, Co Laois, said things turned 'quite sinister' as night fell and the group were surrounded by several 'paid locals' wielding weapons, while Egyptian police stood back and watched on. After being stopped at a checkpoint en route to Ismailia by taxi, 'police came over and took our passports so we were all detained there for the full day, for hours,' she said. 'Hundreds and hundreds of cars, taxis and buses' had also been stopped 'in the middle of the desert' in what Ms Lawlor described as a 'very surreal experience'. [ Irish citizens including Paul Murphy TD freed by Egyptian authorities after detention over Gaza march ] Despite this, spirits 'remained high' among herself and the other demonstrators, who started singing, until 'the evening passed and it started to get dark'. 'The police came back in riot gear and they kind of circled the crowd and split it into two,' Ms Lawlor said. 'Every few minutes, they would take a step forward to get us more cramped. 'They did set water on us ... That's the only thing the Egyptian police actually did to us was set on this water sprinkler. Then they said you have 15 minutes to get on the bus or you'll be beaten on to the buses. 'They had ambulances lined up and gurneys. I think that was a little intimidation, like you're going to need these if you don't move.' Shortly after, 'paid local people' arrived carrying 'whips. They had belts, ropes. One guy had a metal bar with spikes at the end of it'. 'Then they started off just throwing water at people and then they were getting full bottles of water that were closed and just throwing them full force into people's faces,' she said. Ms Lawlor said she emerged with a bruised arm, while other members of the group 'were badly beaten' as they sat in peaceful protest. 'At the same time that we were sitting there, there were pictures coming in from Gaza of bloodied children's feet who had been crushed in between buildings and were left hanging until they died. So that's the reason we went, to try get help to these people,' she said. 'It's nothing compared to what's going on in Gaza.' Ms McConnell, a dentist from Wicklow who was also detained, echoed the sentiment. 'The real issue is the illegal occupation and detention of Palestinians in Gaza and in the West Bank . What's happening to them has gone on for generations. We just had a week of it,' she said. She said her motivation to join the march came from frustration at the Government, whom she said 'pay lip service' to the humanitarian crisis. Kellie McConnell: 'Simon Harris could be doing so much, but isn't' 'We can see flights through Shannon and through Irish airspace carrying weapons. We can see Ireland being the second highest customer for Israel after the US and we could sanction Israel. We could welcome Palestinians.' Her group did not get further than Cairo, where they 'were pulled over when we were in the taxi'. 'Eventually we got pushed on to a prison bus with tiny, very high windows and chains on the back of the seats and they wouldn't tell us where we were going,' she said. Her passport was also taken by the Egyptian authorities, who detained the group 'for around seven hours'. 'The only water that they offered us were bottles that were already open,' Ms McConnell said. Reflecting on the experience, having heard from other participants in the march 'it looked like the strategy [of the Egyptian authorities] was divide and conquer'. 'Divide our groups, let some people through to this checkpoint and that checkpoint,' she said. Ms McConnell returned to Ireland on Thursday, where she resumed campaigning with North Wicklow Against Genocide. 'On Thursdays we go to Simon Harris's office in Bray, we leaflet, we demonstrate and we draw attention to the fact that he could be doing so much but isn't.'
CBC
13-06-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Canadian demonstrators held, passports confiscated ahead of planned global march to Egypt-Gaza border
More than 40 Canadians planning to participate in the global march to Gaza in Egypt have been detained and their passports confiscated by authorities, organizers told CBC News. A group of 83 Canadians arrived in Cairo on Wednesday and Thursday, ahead of the scheduled march to Egypt's border with Gaza, an attempt to draw attention to the deepening humanitarian crises facing Palestinians under Israel's blockade of the war-torn territory more than 20 months after attacks began. Tatiana Harker, a member of Palestine Vivra Montreal and march co-ordinator, said Canadians were among the thousands of other demonstrators en route to Al-Arish, where they were expected to begin a three-day march toward Egypt's Rafah crossing with Gaza to hold a peaceful demonstration there. "A lot of people are being detained, left in the [heat] without any answers, for two to three hours," Harker told CBC News on Friday from Montreal. Harker said Egyptian authorities confiscated their passports at a checkpoint in the Suez Canal city of Ismailia on Friday without providing a reason. "The [Canadians] have been contacting the Canadian embassy in Cairo with no answer whatsoever. Our government is completely ignoring us." Global Affairs Canada said in an earlier statement to CBC News that it advises Canadians to avoid all travel to the Governate of North Sinai in Egypt and to Gaza. "Canadians who choose to travel to the region do so at their own risk," it said Thursday. More activists detained after earlier deportations Demonstrators were set to bus to Egypt's coastal city of Al-Arish to take part in the 48-kilometre walk on Friday, sleeping in tents along the way to the Rafah crossing. Canadian organizers told CBC that authorities did not allow demonstrators to bus there, and had to find other modes of transportation to reach Al-Arish. After reaching the Rafah area, they plan to camp there for roughly three more days before returning to Cairo, according to the coalition's website, though it noted that much of their plans will depend on authorization from Egyptian officials. Egyptian authorities detained more activists on Friday who were among demonstrators joining the planned march from 80 different countries, while security forces in eastern Libya blocked a convoy of activists en route to meet them. The Global March on Gaza was slated to be among the largest demonstrations of its kind in recent years, coinciding with other efforts, including a boat carrying activists and aid that was intercepted by Israel's military en route to Gaza earlier this week. Organizers on Friday said authorities confiscated passports of 40 people planning to march at a checkpoint outside Cairo, where they're being held in the heat. Others are being detained at hotels. They urged officials from the activists' home countries to push Egypt to release their citizens. Friday's detentions come after hundreds arriving in Cairo were previously detained and deported to their home countries in Europe and North Africa. Before authorities confiscated their passports, the activists said they planned to gather at a campsite on the road to the Sinai to prepare for Sunday's march. They said authorities had not yet granted them authorization to travel through the Sinai, which Egypt considers a highly sensitive area. "We continue to urge the Egyptian government to permit this peaceful march, which aligns with Egypt's own stated commitment to restoring stability at its border and addressing the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza," the activists said in a statement. Group to refrain from demonstrating for now Hicham El-Ghaoui, one of the group's spokespeople, said they would refrain from demonstrating until receiving clarity on whether Egypt will authorize their protest. The planned demonstrations cast an uncomfortable spotlight on Egypt, one of the Arab countries that has cracked down on pro-Palestinian activists even as it publicly condemns aid restrictions and calls for an end to the war. Alexis Deswaef, a Belgian human rights lawyer, said he woke up on Friday to dozens of security vehicles packed with uniformed officers surrounding Talat Harb Square, where he and other activists had found hotels. Members of his group snuck out of the lobby as security entered, holding up a guidebook and asking an officer for assistance booking taxis to the Pyramids of Giza, where they've been since. "I am so surprised to see the Egyptians doing the dirty work of Israel," he said from the Pyramids. He hoped there would be too many activists at the new meeting point outside Cairo for Egyptian authorities to arrest en masse. Meanwhile, an aid convoy travelling overland from Algeria picked up new participants along the route in Tunisia and Libya, yet was stopped in the city of Sirte, about 940 kilometres from the Libya-Egypt border. The efforts — the activist flotilla, the overland convoy and the planned march — come as international outcry grows over conditions in Gaza. Israel has continued to pummel the territory with airstrikes while limiting the flow of trucks carrying food, water and medication that can enter, saying it is applying pressure on Hamas to disarm and release Israeli hostages.
Al Bawaba
02-06-2025
- Business
- Al Bawaba
Siemens Mobility and Egyptian National Railways Put Zagazig Station into Service as Part of Signaling System Modernization
Siemens Mobility, in partnership with Egyptian National Railways (ENR), announces the inauguration of the new signaling Building at Zagazig Station, marking a major milestone in Egypt's nationwide railway modernization efforts. This event comes as part of the directive from H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to accelerate the upgrade of railway signaling systems and enhance overall safety and efficiency across the country's rail launch includes the main signaling building at Zagazig Station and the commissioning of three additional automatic signaling sections between Zagazig and Menia El Qamh, Zagazig and El Shabanat, and Zagazig and Hehia —covering a total of 36 kilometers. Also commissioned are 17 level crossings, 87 point machines, 144 signals, and 202 track circuits. These upgrades are part of the larger modernization of the Zagazig–Ismailia/Port Said line and the Abu Kabir branch, implemented by Siemens Mobility using advanced Electronic Interlocking Systems (EIS) certified to the highest international safety level, modernization initiative aims to replace the outdated mechanical signaling with a cutting-edge electronic system, ensuring real-time train monitoring, increased daily train frequency, and enhanced operational safety. Additionally, the system introduces automated level crossing gates and integrated control mechanisms to reduce human error and prevent accidents, while allowing train drivers to communicate with central control from any signal in emergency on the inauguration, Lieutenant General Eng. Kamel El-Wazir, Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Industry and Transport, stated:"Modernizing Egypt's railway signaling systems is critical for improving safety, increasing operational efficiency, and supporting the nation's development goals. The advancements at Zagazig Station represent a significant step in our efforts to transform the railway network with the help of global expertise and world-class technology."Tarek Aly, CEO of Siemens Mobility Egypt, commented: "The commissioning of the Zagazig Station signaling building marks another important step in our long-term partnership with the Ministry of Transport and Egyptian National Railways. At Siemens Mobility, we are proud to support Egypt's vision of a safer, more advanced, and digitally connected rail network. This milestone reflects our commitment to delivering sustainable infrastructure solutions that not only elevate operational performance but also contribute to the country's broader development goals." Siemens Mobility remains fully committed to supporting Egypt's transport vision through advanced engineering solutions and localized know-how. The full project spans 21 main buildings, 19 secondary towers, and 84 level crossings—demonstrating a comprehensive approach to enhancing Egypt's railway infrastructure.
Zawya
30-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Egypt: Foodico's profits rise 32.87% YoY in Q1 2025
Arab Finance: Ismailia National Food Industries (Foodico) saw a 32.87% year-on-year (YoY) increase in its net profits after tax during the first quarter (Q1) of 2025, according to the audited financial statement on May 29th. Foodico achieved net profits after tax of EGP 42.433 million in the three-month period ended March 31st this year, compared to EGP 31.936 million in the corresponding period a year earlier. Net sales hit EGP 122.858 million in Q1 2025, up from EGP 78.082 million in Q1 2024. Foodico is an Egypt-based company engaged in the food industry. The company is involved in the production of vegetables, fruits, and agricultural products such as juices and beverages, in addition to manufacturing, freezing, canning, and drying vegetables, fruits, and legumes, among others. © 2020-2023 Arab Finance For Information Technology. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Arab News
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
British pilgrims sailing from London to Saudi Arabia for Hajj
JEDDAH: A group of British adventurers are taking part in an extraordinary sailboat journey from the UK to Makkah to perform Hajj. The group of five from London, aged between 27 and 47, set off on the inspiring 7,400 km adventure from the English Channel on April 1 and expect to reach Saudi Arabia later this week. Sailors Abdul Wahid, Tauseef Ahmed, Jody McIntyre, Dobbir Uddin and Taher Akhtar have made several stops across Europe and North Africa, sharing the highs and lows of sea life with their growing community of followers on social media. Experiencing moments of faith, joy and frustration, and facing winds and storms in their sails, the 55-day adventure is also raising funds for orphan care charity Global Helping Hands. The group recently docked in Ismailia city in northeastern Egypt, and plan on making their way to towards the sacred lands of Saudi Arabia later this week. Speaking to Arab News from Ismailia, 38-year-old Wahid said the inspiration for the journey came from the mixed influences of his Muslim faith and the maritime history of the UK. 'It is kind of merging our religion Islam with the country we are residing, and reviving this long-forgotten way to Hajj,' he said. According to Wahid, none of the group's members had sailing experience before the trip. 'We undertook this journey with no prior experience, therefore, we went through a very intensive training for 6 months,' he said. 'We had to go into the sea for a week in order to get the training we needed and we managed to get to a very completive level internationally.' The adventure route led the group to go through the English Channel; the Port of Marseille in France; the Mediterranean islands Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily and Crete; the Strait of Messina; the Suez Canal in Egypt and finally the Red Sea leading to Jeddah. The group has spent almost two months being completely disconnected, off-grid and facing storms on the 1978 Westerly 33 Ketch. 'One of the weirdest highlights is the fact that we are here in the sea because we dreamed of a journey at sea — and made it a reality,' said Wahid. 'Imagine, this time last year we had no sailing experience just a rough plan and here we are about to end our journey.' He added: 'It was terrifying challenge for us but at the end of the day, alhamdulillah, we had a great reward and we are safe.' Ahmed said: 'One of the challenges we faced was in the French Canal where there was a blockage of 24 km and we had to lift the boat to the truck despite our delay which took about four days.' He added: 'Another serious challenge we faced, when we woke up in the morning and we were sinking because of a leak in the boat. Alhamdulillah, we were able to fix it and went on as per our schedule.' Surrounded by blue water, picturesque scenes, and the sporadic sight of marine life, Wahid described the most unforgettable moments of their journey: 'We encountered dolphins three times during our journey. 'We caught a glimpse of unusual shapes in the water. Soon, we realized that what we were seeing was a small pod of dolphins, playing and swimming in front of us. That was really an amazing scene.' Through the journey, the group aims to raise funds to support orphans in various countries, including Lebanon, Pakistan, Palestine, Uganda, and for Syrian refugees, offering much-needed assistance to the most vulnerable. The group has received more than £200,000 ($266,000) so far. 'This amount will support orphans in many places,' Wahid said. 'The second goal of this journey is for Da'wah purposes. 'We want to showcase to the world the beauty of pilgrimage in Islam in its original essence, in ancient ways it was performed weather it was walking, horse-riding or in this case sailing.' The expedition is set to complete its final sea passage, lasting up to a week, from Port Suez, Egypt to Jeddah in coordination with BWA Yachting Club KSA, the Red Sea Authority and with the support of JYC facilities.
