Ahmed Moussa, a prominent pro-government presenter in Egypt, has taken to social media in criticism of a grassroots convoy heading towards Gaza in an attempt to break Israel’s siege on the Palestinian enclave, calling the effort a “ploy to embarrass Egypt”.
The Sumud Convoy – which means steadfastness in Arabic – started in Tunisia this week, with thousands of volunteers from Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, Morocco and Algeria. Organisers say they are aiming to raise international awareness about the humanitarian crisis in the besieged enclave and deliver aid to what the UN has called the “hungriest place on earth”.
The convoy is projected to reach Cairo by Thursday, though Egyptian officials have yet to authorise its entry into the Sinai Peninsula, where the Rafah crossing to Gaza is located.
While the volunteers have received widespread praise and celebration along their journey on the North African coast, some pro-government figures in Egypt claim the plan is a “political scheme” by people affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood, which is outlawed in Egypt – labelling it an “anti-Egyptian establishment”, as opposed to a pro-Palestinian, effort.
One of the loudest critics of the movement is television personality Moussa, who took to X, formerly Twitter, to accuse the convoy of being a “well-planned setup” to cast Egypt in a negative light with regards to the Palestinian cause.
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“Everyone must be vigilant to confront this trap that aims to put Egypt in a very embarrassing position, whether it allows the entry or prevents the convoy, and the repercussions of what may happen and the campaigns prepared in advance against the Egyptian state,” he said in a post on Tuesday, adding that it was “strange” that the organisers did not choose an “easier and shorter sea route”.
Translation: They have the Mediterranean Sea, their coasts, and international waters to launch from to Gaza. Anything beyond that is not allowed. Egypt will not be a land of chaos. Egypt is a sovereign state, and everyone must respect that. We will not allow any threat to our security. This is our legitimate right.
“Will the convoy save Gaza or is its goal media hype? The issue is not easy but rather carefully planned and the goal is to embarrass Egypt and not Israel,” he continued.
His sentiment was echoed by other pro-government voices on social media, who accused the convoy volunteers of being “actors”, “exploit[ing] the Palestinian cause”, and posing a national security threat.
Translation: This is a plot by the Muslim Brotherhood’s ISIS members to pit Egypt against America and tarnish its reputation. Egypt must deal firmly, and anyone who wants to go to Gaza can go to the sea, or at least coordinate with the transit country, so that anyone who wants to go can’t enter.
Another prominent presenter, Hossam al-Ghamry, said the convoy was a “clear ploy” by the Muslim Brotherhood in a series of posts on X.
“If the convoy reaches the borders with Gaza, it will force [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu to occupy Sinai to secure his borders and expel Palestinians into Egypt,” he said.
‘We wish the heroes safety’
Many Egyptians on social media have countered these posts with comments voicing their support for the movement.
Several people commented directly under Moussa’s post, calling the land route the “logical” and “most appropriate” route given that Gaza would not be able to receive international ships.
Others countered the claims that the convoy was a publicity stunt.
Translation: Based on this security official’s tweet, the regime is preventing the convoy from entering.
One Facebook user commented: “the convoy includes doctors and elderly men and women that do not care for the media but are trying to do what they can”.
Some users were more harsh in their criticism.
“The regime’s mouthpiece claims that the land convoy is a trap set to put Egypt in an embarrassing position,” said one user.
“We wish the heroes of the convoy safety until they reach Gaza. And they bring in the aid piled up in Rafah.”
Others argued that Moussa’s post was an indication that the Egyptian goverment would block the convoy.
The volunteers for the Sumud convoy, led by the Joint Action for Palestine, reportedly include trade union and political figures, as well as human rights activists, athletes, lawyers, doctors, journalists and members of youth organisations.
The group is part of the larger Global March to Gaza movement, which includes approximately 2,000 to 3,000 activists from around 50 countries who are expected to fly into Cairo on 12 June.
Both the activists and volunteers on the Sumud convoy are expected to coordinate to march to the Rafah crossing together, a move they hope will pressure the international community to force Israel to end the bombardment and siege of Gaza, which has killed over 55,000 Palestinians and wounded over 127,000 more.
