Updating: 17:19, 13 May 2011 Friday
People burn an Israeli flag during a demonstration on Tahrir Square in Cairo May 13.(Reuters)
Egyptians march for Palestine, military creates barriers
The government deployed army and police to prevent demonstrators from crossing the Suez Canal to Sinai -- the route they would have to take to reach the Israel-besieged Gaza Strip, witnesses said.
Thousands of Egyptians took to the streets on Friday to push their military rulers to do more to help Palestinians following the overthrow of the country's president Hosni Mubarak.
Many Egyptians are angry with Mubarak, a U.S. ally over complicity with Israel occupying Palestine and want their new government to take a much stronger pro-Palestinian stand.
The gatherings in Cairo, Alexandria and El-Arish come amidst preparations by activists to organise a march to the Gaza Strip on Sunday, May 15 -- which Palestinians mark as the anniversary of their 1948 "Nakba" or catastrophe by Israelis.
Egyptian authorities have banned the march, saying the timing was "inappropriate".
The government deployed army and police to prevent demonstrators from crossing the Suez Canal to Sinai -- the route they would have to take to reach the Israel-besieged Gaza Strip, witnesses said.
"We are demonstrating to show that the Palestinian cause is in the heart of all Muslims," said Sameh Abu Bakr, an agriculture engineer, in Cairo's Tahrir Square, which was decked with red, white, black and green Palestinian flags.
The square was at the epicentre of the February uprising that drove Mubarak from power.
One sign read: "The people want the opening of the Rafah crossing, fully and permanently."
Egypt has said it plans to open the crossing into the besieged Gaza permanently, but has yet to do so. Mubarak was accused of participating in an Israeli blockade on Gaza by shutting the border.
"We want to show the world the inhumane way Israel treats Palestinians," said demonstrator Hassan Yusri, standing next to the Rafah sign.
Hundreds marched in El-Arish in Sinai after Friday prayers, chanting pro-Palestinian slogans.
Read the rest of this article on: worldbulletin
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