A group of activists were recently detained in Sariaqos, north of Cairo. They had been holding a march in the rural area to raise awareness about the situation in Gaza. For several hours, they walked around, talking to bystanders and asking them to join the protest. They did what they had to do. As they were heading back to Cairo, they were stopped and arrested. All of them were released… except for Philip Rizk.
Human rights lawyers arrived to help the activists but Rizk was snuck out of the prison’s backdoor of and taken away. According to a Reuters report, he was put in an unmarked car with no license plates; police also blocked his companions’ vehicle to prevent them from following.
A Facebook group set up by his friends and family explains further:
Philip is of Egyptian-German descent and he has worked tirelessly for the Palestinians cause. Among other things, he has produced a number of documentaries on the subject. He also blogs at tabluagaza (surely the Egyptian authorities did not like his last post). No stranger to the effects of Israeli cruelty, he worked for over two years in Gaza and it has a very special place in his heart. In a recent interview he gave, you can hear the sorrow in his voice as he expresses the pain of not knowing the fate of his friends in the Strip. Let’s hope he is released soon… and unharmed (the German side should help with that).
Phil’s parents went to the police headquarters to file a missing persons complaint. There they were told it might take 2 or 3 days to process the paperwork and get Philip out… he is being held by National Security at their headquarters in downtown Cairo. But of course there are no official charges.
Philip is of Egyptian-German descent and he has worked tirelessly for the Palestinians cause. Among other things, he has produced a number of documentaries on the subject. He also blogs at tabluagaza (surely the Egyptian authorities did not like his last post). No stranger to the effects of Israeli cruelty, he worked for over two years in Gaza and it has a very special place in his heart. In a recent interview he gave, you can hear the sorrow in his voice as he expresses the pain of not knowing the fate of his friends in the Strip. Let’s hope he is released soon… and unharmed (the German side should help with that). Of course, this is not the first time Egyptian activitsts have been locked up. Being a soldier of justice and information is never easy, but it is especially difficult in a country so closely allied with the US and Israel where free speech is a dangerous practice. On her blog, a friend of mine recently lambasted Egyptians for their failure to take to the streets like people in Turkey, Morocco, France and dozens of other countries. While I don’t feel the same way she does, I feel her frustration. What is happening to Philip Rizk is just a reminder of the harsh realties of life in Egypt. There is no way Mubarak and his people can maintain their alliances without a crushing iron fist – state of emergency.
I take my hat off to Philip and his companions. They were doing a good thing. Unfortunately, the repressive regime in Cairo can ill-afford to have any one encouraging the lambs to charge their pen. ‘Friends‘ understand the need for ruthlessness, and they let it slide. The continued suffocation of the Rafah crossing is a perfect example. I’m curious to see how much media coverage this whole story will receive… So far, very few news outlets have picked it up.
Related posts:
- The latest on the Gaza Massacre
- Update on the 2 AUC-ians that could…
- Egyptian State Goons Round Up Activists and Me
- Political Unity for Arab Americans?
- e-Joke
Maybe they are going to deport him?
Posted by programmer craig | February 7, 2009, 2:15 pmIf his Dad is German (and his Mom Egyptian) that means he is German, right? And also, presumably Christian with that first name. I smell deportation.
Posted by programmer craig | February 7, 2009, 2:18 pmno his father is Egyptian and mother German, but you are correct he is Christian
Posted by Anonymous | February 7, 2009, 2:59 pmIt’s not like Craig cares. He has only crocodile tears for those who deems of inferior races.
Posted by Anonymous | February 7, 2009, 7:10 pmDoing a bit of projection, are we?
Anyway, here’s an interesting bit from Joe Biden’s speech in Europe today:
As America renews our emphasis on diplomacy, development and democracy, and preserving our planet, we will ask our allies to rethink some of their own approaches — including their willingness to use force when all else fails.
When it comes to radical groups that use terror as a tool, radical states who harbor extremists, undermine peace and seek or spread weapons of mass destruction, and regimes that systematically kill or ethnically cleanse their own people, we must stand united and use every means at our disposal to end the threat that they pose.
Posted by programmer craig | February 7, 2009, 7:45 pmHow do these activists keep traveling around? Where do they get the money for all this bullshit? We normal people have to work to survive. I never understood that.
Posted by Anonymous | February 7, 2009, 11:50 pmComplete silence and complicity by Kabob for Hamas crimes. I overheard Will say, referring to the Gazans, “Resistance forever. And the people? Let them eat dirt”.
Posted by Anonymous | February 8, 2009, 12:07 amThe Lina Khalaf blog that was referenced in the post is dumb and it showcases a major flaw in Palestinian thinking, and that is that we are always looking for other Arab countries, especially Egypt, for support. This strategy has failed time and again and there is no point in thinking the future will be any different, so pinning any hopes on Egypt or any other Arab country is just self-destructive. If there is one American quality that Palestinians need to embrace more than anything it is self-reliance, we need to quit whining and looking to others for help, no matter how close they are, the only way forward is by forging a new, wholly Palestinian path -though without shedding an Arab or Muslim identity, because that would be dumb too.
Posted by Jerusalemite | February 8, 2009, 1:38 amTrue that, Jerusalemite. Start DIY! Stop whining, rebuild the (why actually) demolished greenhouses, politely ask your brothers in Arab oil countries to again be accepted as migrant workers so as to bring in hard cash rather than depend on USA and EU (them being the biggest contributors to UNRWA funds), with Saddam gone, Kuwait and Saudi prob. won’t expel you anymore by the 100.000′s for idolising him and move on from there.
Oh and quit the rockets.
Oh and scrap that one clause in the charter. You know which one.
Posted by Anonymous | February 8, 2009, 6:13 amQuote:
Of course, this is not the first time Egyptian activitsts have been locked up. Being a soldier of justice and information is never easy, but it is especially difficult in a country so closely allied with the US and Israel where free speech is a dangerous practice.
Why blame the US and Israel, why not Mubarak himself? Or his government? Or some career Nat’l Security guy? Why always blame outsiders?
Posted by Anonymous | February 8, 2009, 6:20 amOf course I blame Mubarak. I blame him for repressing the people of Egypt and I blame him for continuing to brown nose with the US and Israelis governments as well.
Posted by Kalash | February 8, 2009, 7:18 amIf he is a German citizenship then the German government will push Egypt to release him and probably he will leave back even if he wasn’t deported,
Posted by Ali | February 8, 2009, 7:30 amWhat would have happened to this guy in Saddam’s Iraq, Kalash? And did you blame Saddam’s behavior on the US and Israel, too?
Posted by programmer craig | February 8, 2009, 7:49 amI think everyone is missing the most important part of the story. Phil is gone and we want him back.
Posted by Freeman | February 8, 2009, 8:57 amI WILL DO MY BEST TO SUPPORT Mr. RIZK HUMAN RIGHT & FREEDOM TO SPEAK
Although I fully understand that the Arab world is under USA Big Co. MANAGEMENT (80% of the oil revenue end up in USA economy at the end of the cycle & the political outcome of this give USA a leverage to compete with the rising economies of China, Russia & India in the International balance of powers)
The Palstinians & their supporters had a little gap to maneuver to gain ground inside this balance; the world wide uprising against Israel crime is an important leverage for that
The support actions out side the Arab world are the most important, effective & efficient
In the Arab world I put the Moroccan kids demonstration on the top, the others reflect the isolation & disconnect with the world that the oppressed Arabic citizen live in(The regimes try to meet USA standards to stay in power, then transform that inside the their societies (multiple layers of oppression)
It's like when the race to support Gaza start every one run in different direction, although they all "the average Arab" intend to support; they end up arguing about the end line)
Both regimes try to obey USA Management Standards to remain in power
The Syrian was the main player in weakening the Palstinian political leverage against the Egyptions whom try the opposite (simply because Gaza is in their backyard)
Why I feel what I just said is wrong:
1) Because I consume a lot of "Media"
2) I don't bother to research what this "Media" inject in my brains few weeks, months or years before the GENOCIDE
Posted by riskability | February 8, 2009, 9:08 amHouse of parents of Philip Rizk is being searched at the moment by Secret Police. People gather outside to protest. 6 Road 208, Maadi. 2.30 AM in the night on Monday morning.
Protest!
Posted by Anonymous | February 8, 2009, 4:37 pmPhil is a good guy, not some kind of destructive revolutionary professional protester. He worked in Gaza with FRRME (www.frrme.org) and made a film last year about non-violent protest in the West Bank. And he’s just a good bloke.
You don’t arrest people like that.
Posted by MisterDavid | February 9, 2009, 12:40 amI have met Philip in Gaza. He is one of the most wonderful young people I have ever met, warm and caring and full of kindness. We want him back, safe and sound and untouched!!!! It is a shameful crime to kidnap him and lock him up!!!
Posted by Anonymous | February 9, 2009, 10:07 amI think he was just in it for the pussy, and who could blame him! You’re not in Europe anymore, kid.
Posted by Anonymous | February 9, 2009, 3:00 pmI would erase that last comment, but people need to see the type of crap these assholes drop… it’s really pathetic
Posted by Kalash | February 9, 2009, 8:42 pm“” Being a soldier of justice and information is never easy, but it is especially difficult in a country so closely allied with the US and Israel where free speech is a dangerous practice.”"
Uh, there are plenty of other countries in the region that are hostile to the U.S. and Israel, and freedom of speech is just as tough there if it’s contrary to the ruling regime’s interests. Israel is, basically the best the region has to offer when it comes to freedom of speech.
Posted by Joe | February 9, 2009, 10:50 pmKalash, why do you feel you should erase that comment, exactly?
Is this a new policy for Kabob? Such a blatant display of fascist narcissism, meanwhile bashing Israel regarding freedom of speech?!
Kalash, you seem to be no different from Mubarak – the only free speech you appreciate is that which agrees with you.
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