Though the military had prevented Egyptian activists to march on Gaza on May 15th to mark the Palestinian Nakba, two weeks later Egypt permanently opened the Rafah border crossing – the only entry/exit point in Gaza that is not controlled by Israel – allowing all Palestinian women, children, and men above 40 years of age to cross freely. Men between the ages of 18 and 40 would have to apply for visas, and Egypt promises to open an office in Gaza to make such a process more convenient. Hundreds of Palestinians crossed into Egypt on May 28th, some for the first time in years. The opening of the border can significantly better the lives of Palestinians in Gaza as the coastal strip has been almost completely besieged for years.

Egyptian activists are calling for more action from their government to defend the Palestinians. They want to completely break ties with Israel and prepare their military for inevitable confrontations. One activist I met in Rafah told me he’s ready to march to Jerusalem. “Tomorrow, come with us. We’re going to pray in Al-Aqsa and free Jerusalem.” Another in Cairo who was arrested for protesting in front of the Israeli Embassy believes Egypt’s revolution is incomplete without Palestine. “None of the Arab revolutions will be successful unless Palestine is liberated. We are all integrated. We are all one people.”

The increase in support for Palestine in Egypt since their revolution is one example of positive change for Palestinians. Within occupied Palestine and Israel, growing nonviolent movements against internationally illegal Israeli settlements on Palestinian lands are continuing to challenge Israel’s expansion. Palestinian refugees and Arab neighbors in Lebanon, Syria and Jordan have marched to historical Palestine’s borders on May 15th, some successfully entering occupied Syrian Golan Heights: all done nonviolently.

A political shift has also taken place within the Palestinian Authority. After two decades of failed US-mediated peace talks with Israel, Palestinian leaders are looking elsewhere for recognition of a Palestinian state. In September, they will take the issue to the United Nations to vote on Palestinian statehood.

The Arab World is changing drastically as people are demanding true democracy, and the Arab people are not forgetting their Palestinian brothers and sisters behind.

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