No reports of Pembrokeshire detentions as international participants face violence and deportation

ACTIVISTS from Pembrokeshire taking part in the Global March to Gaza remain on course to reach the Rafah border crossing on Sunday (June 15), despite a sweeping crackdown by Egyptian authorities on demonstrators from across the world.

The Herald understands that no members of the West Wales delegation, including Jim Scott and Tasmin Nash, have been detained, and Scott remained active on social media as recently as Friday morning.

However, disturbing scenes have emerged from Cairo and beyond, where activists from countries including France, Spain, Turkey, Canada, and the UK have had their passports confiscated, been forcibly removed from checkpoints, and in some cases physically assaulted by men in plain clothes. Footage circulating online shows demonstrators being kicked and dragged away, while some tried to defend themselves by throwing water bottles.

According to organisers, at least 40 protesters had their passports seized and were held in the heat without being allowed to move. Others—around 15 activists—are being held in hotels under restriction.

Among those confirmed detained are:

• Paul Murphy, Irish MP
• Faruk Dincer, Turkish MP (reportedly injured during arrest)
• Hala Rharrit, former US diplomat who resigned in protest over Washington’s handling of the war

Murphy posted: “We have had our passports confiscated and are being detained. It seems Egyptian authorities have decided to crack down on the #GreatMarchToGaza. We are refusing to board the deportation bus.”

The Global March to Gaza involves over 4,000 people from 80 countries, including a delegation of West Walians who set off from Al Arish on Friday morning for a 30-mile, three-day trek across the Sinai desert, aiming to reach Rafah on Sunday.

A separate 2,000-strong convoy travelling from Tunisia was also stopped by security forces in eastern Libya on Friday.

Despite the chaos, Jim Scott, a tree surgeon from Mathry, and CND Cymru delegate, has not reported any arrest or obstruction, telling supporters on Thursday night: “I’m OK. Safe for tonight. But an insane day. Completely insane.”

Tasmin Nash, an art curator and mother of four from Pembrokeshire, also remains unconfirmed among any detained. Speaking earlier this week, she said: “I cannot rest. I cannot stay silent. Now is the time to mobilise our passion and humanity. We are united for justice and solidarity for Palestine.”

The crackdown reflects Egypt’s tense balancing act. As the first Arab country to sign a peace treaty with Israel and a major recipient of US military aid, Egypt has attempted to publicly call for peace while suppressing grassroots pro-Palestinian actions within its borders.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Wednesday that he expected Egypt to “halt demonstrators at the Egypt-Israel border”, adding that their arrival would “endanger the security of IDF soldiers” and would not be tolerated.

Meanwhile, Israel has allowed limited aid into Gaza since last month, but international aid groups and UN agencies warn that the volume is nowhere near sufficient to meet the needs of the population. The humanitarian situation remains catastrophic.

Organisers of the march have called on embassies to intervene to secure the release of detained protesters, stressing: “We are a peaceful movement, and we are complying with Egyptian law.”

The Herald will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as the West Wales delegation nears Rafah.