Egypt: Attacks on “Soumoud Convoy” Activists Draw Outrage Amid Silence from Authorities

A wave of concern and condemnation is growing after peaceful activists with the “Soumoud Convoy,” a solidarity mission aimed at supporting Palestinians in Gaza, came under violent attack inside Egypt.

The convoy, composed of international and regional participants, was met not with welcome or support—but with assaults by armed groups and increasing repression by state authorities.

These attacks occurred as the convoy attempted to send a message of unity and hope to the people of Gaza, who continue to suffer under an unrelenting siege. Instead, participants found themselves targeted for simply trying to stand in solidarity.

Women Journalists Without Chains (WJWC) strongly condemns the violence inflicted on members of the convoy, some of whom were beaten, threatened, and silenced. Among the most alarming incidents was the injury of Turkish Member of Parliament Faruk Dinç, captured on video and widely circulated on social media. His presence, like that of many others, was driven by a desire to help—not provoke. 

The Egyptian government’s response has been one of silence. Rather than addressing the violence or offering protection, authorities have detained and deported several foreign nationals who joined the convoy. Many were stopped at the Libyan border, where the convoy had been delayed for days under vague claims of awaiting security clearance. This crackdown comes as part of a broader pattern of repression faced by anyone who dares to advocate for Palestinian rights within or through Egypt.

Even more troubling is the smear campaign launched by some Egyptian media outlets, which have accused these peaceful participants of being “infiltrators” or “foreign agents.” Such rhetoric not only endangers the activists—it distorts the truth and primes the public to accept their mistreatment as justified.

WJWC reminds Egyptian authorities that peaceful activism is not a threat. Rather, it is a right—one protected by both the Egyptian constitution and international agreements, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The right to speak out, to gather, and to support those in need cannot and should not be criminalized.

The attacks on the Soumoud Convoy are not isolated incidents. They are part of a wider context of suppression—one that includes the continued closure of the Rafah crossing and tight restrictions on aid entering Gaza. This is not just a political issue; it is a human one. Each blocked truck, each silenced voice, and each detained activist represents another blow to those already living under unbearable conditions in Gaza.

WJWC calls for an immediate, transparent investigation into the violence and detentions. Those responsible must be held to account, and all detained activists must be released without delay. The organization also urges foreign governments and diplomatic missions to speak out and take action to protect their citizens who came to Egypt in good faith and with a spirit of humanitarian solidarity.

To stand with Gaza is not a crime. To deliver aid should not lead to arrest. To speak up for human dignity should never result in assault.

Silence in the face of injustice, WJWC warns, is a form of complicity. Now more than ever, voices of conscience must not be silenced—they must be heard.