The recent events involving a group of anti-Israel activists attempting a “Global March to Gaza” serve as a perfect example of what might happen when lofty ideals meet the cold, hard realities of international borders. From over 80 countries, including such heavy hitters as Luxembourg, the protesters made their way to Egypt, only to be promptly shown the door by Egyptian authorities. It turns out that Egypt wasn’t having any of their nonsense, much to the chagrin of these ill-prepared activists who seemed to have forgotten to do a bit of research before embarking on their well-intentioned journey.
These activists, many of them from Western countries and clad in the predictable garb of what some might call “virtue signaling,” appeared to be caught completely off guard. They were ready for a march, perhaps expecting a rousing welcome or, at the very least, a chance to make a big, bold statement. What they didn’t count on was the fact that local Egyptians weren’t particularly thrilled to have their daily lives disrupted by outsiders imposing their agendas. The activists were swiftly rounded up by the authorities and packed off to airports faster than you can say “failed protest.”
In America, activists might enjoy a bit of leeway when it comes to protests and public disturbances. From chanting to chaotic scenes, such shows are often tolerated, if not expected. But set foot in a country like Egypt with the same playbook, and one’s expectations might need a rapid adjustment. There were none of the fiery theatrics often seen on Western streets—no grand, camera-ready chaos to illustrate righteousness or to channel grievances. The locals were having none of it, reinforcing that in certain places, unsolicited protests aren’t exactly the welcome mat for international change seekers.
The comedy of errors didn’t end there. Upon their ejection, some protesters expressed their shock and outrage, blasting Egypt with all the anger their limited platform could muster. One has to wonder if they had imagined they might be greeted with open arms, rather than closed fists of resistance to their collective idealism. Perhaps they thought they were merely tourists on a virtuous field trip, capable of making a grand change of heart by standing around with placards. Unfortunately for them, without a proper understanding of the local dynamics, their optimism was as misplaced as their passports swiftly confiscated by the Egyptian authorities.
This fiasco stands as a lesson in the perils of engaging in global activism without truly understanding one’s audience or the complexities involved in such conflicts. It’s all well and good to have “big dreams” of global solidarity, but an awareness of local sentiments and a solid grasp of geopolitical realities would serve them better than hastily boarded planes back home. Anyone thinking of embarking on a similar mission should probably start by looking up “why research matters” on their smartphones before jetting off into the unknown.
