Today is the fourth day of freedom after my four day imprisonment.
Every once in a while I am hit by the incomprehensible contrast
between absolute freedom and absolute confinement. During those four
long days I didn’t do much else but be interrogated, sleep or try to
sleep.

Philip Rizk, release, February 12 2009

Credit: Christina Rizk

Before I go into any other details I want to say shukran, thank you,
really. I am overwhelmed by the response of family, friends and
strangers all around the world during my imprisonment. As the stories
started bombarding me after my release it was hard to take it all in.
I have no words to express how grateful I am to so many. At one point
one of my interrogators- they called him “Malek”- ended a session by
saying, “the next time you will tell me about all these international
relationships of yours,” I had no idea what he was referring to. I
really believe that the pressure from so many places and people made a
big difference in my quick release.

Diaa Gad is an Egyptian blogger who was taken the very same day I was.
I had spoken to him for the first time a few days before Egyptian
“state” security kidnapped both of us from difference places. Diaa had
called to ask about details about our march to Gaza. As we knew our
phones would be tapped I told him we could not gave any details over
the phone and asked for us to meet the following day in person. He
never called again but his name came up during interrogation- again
with “Malek”- who asked me what I knew about Diaa and then proceeded
to tell me word for word what I had said to him on the phone that day.
Diaa does not have many of the luxuries that I have being bi-national
and having lived abroad. At this point he is still in custody and his
lawyer and family do not know his whereabouts. The campaign that was
started for me needs to move to him and others. These sorts of actions
are completely illegal and yet a common occurrence in Egypt. Currently
there are thousands in Egyptian jails without trial. We need to stand
up and reject these actions. This brings us back to the start of those
four days…

I was held for four days- blindfolded, handcuffed almost at all times.
The psychological pressure was intense though at no point was I
physically harmed. At the time of my arrest I was protesting the siege
on Gaza. This is a criticism aimed primarily at Israel but also at
other countries that support this siege including Egypt which keeps
its borders sealed except for rare exceptions. My four days of
imprisonment are nothing compared to the months and years of siege on
Gaza, which is nothing else than forced imprisonment. The Gaza Strip
is a different form of concentration camp. No Palestinian- whether
students, the sick, businessmen and women- can travel beyond its
borders and Israel permits only a very very few internationals to
enter. These- mainly journalists and NGO workers like I used to be-
remind me of zoo visitors that take pictures and talk about the
terrible conditions of the animals in their cages but then leave, in
the meantime Gaza remains the same. According to the UN 85% of Gazans
are reliant on food aid, again like animals in a zoo they are fed and
kept alive, but barely. Leaked reports from the Red Cross recently
reported high percentages of malnutrition of children especially in
the refugee camps- 70% of Gazans are refugees from 1948. The purpose
of our protest march was and continues to be to raise awareness of the
ongoing siege on Gaza building on the momentum of protest during the
Israeli military onslaught on Gaza at the start of this year.

Your outrage about my unjustified imprisonment mirrors my outrage
about this ongoing injustice done to the Palestinian people. If our
governments and representatives the world over will not change the
status quo we- the multitude- must mobilize, on the streets, in the
cyber sphere, in government, in schools, anywhere to call for change.
Such an outrage changed South Africa not that long ago and it can
change the injustice carried out against Palestinians today.

Email us your ideas and actions here: info@togaza.net

Follow up with us here: togaza.net

Read on here: electronicintifada.net and here: Tabulagaza.wordpress.com

My film “This Palestinian Life” about non-violent resistance in
Palestinian villages will be screening in various locations around the
world. The site will be up in a weeks time at:
www.thispalestinianlife.org

(my interrogators stole all my old email addresses and blogs, my
domain name (tabulagaza.com) will link to a new blog
(tabulagaza.wordpress.com) and contact me on facebook for my new email
address.)

From ScandEgypt.blogspot.com

Philip Rizk is free, many others remain

So it’s official, Philip Rizk was released tonight, and immediately expressed his wish that all upcoming planned protests and marches still take place to end siege on Gaza.

Meanwhile, a military court in Ismailiyya is expected to announce the verdict today against Magdy Hussein who was arrested after visiting Gaza in solidarity with the Palestinian people. Other also remain detained, including pro-Palestine bloggers Mohammad Adel and Diaa El Dein Gad. Let’s not forget about them.

German-Egyptian blogger freed in Cairo
The Associated Press
Published: February 11, 2009

CAIRO: Egyptian authorities released a 26-year-old German-Egyptian blogger on Wednesday, five days after he was arrested after a march supporting Gaza, but three other pro-Palestinian activists were sentenced to prison by military courts.

Egypt is increasingly sensitive to criticism about its response to Israel’s Gaza offensive and appears to be cracking down on a new generation of activists.

The arrests over Gaza are the latest chapter in what has been a wider government crackdown on bloggers and independent activists over the past year.

With most traditional avenues of political dissent closed, bloggers have gained prominence in recent years, exposing government corruption and police brutality. Security agencies have struck back, and more than half a dozen are either in jail or out on bail with cases pending. - Read on

LATEST UPDATE FROM THE RIZK FAMILY

Wednesday February 11th, 4:00am

Philip is out, he is safe and home with his family.
He requests that all upcoming planned protests and marches still take place to end siege on Gaza.

More details to come soon.
Please do not call the family members at this time.

He’s back home. Wednesday night (minutes before midnight and his birthday) Yay! Lot’s of work and prayer went into this.

Hope you are well Philip.

Hossam el-Hamalawy a moment ago.
Philip Rizk released.. He’s at home now with his family

Will update asap.

Phillip is currently on the phone with his family.

By Droubi 8 minutes ago. Add Comment