I’ve just learned today that, for a chance to go to Gaza, I would have to re-apply to the Egyptian Foreign Ministry as an individual or as part of a very small group. Under current regulations, the Egyptian government has 20 days to respond to the request. Others that have gone through this process before tell me that the Foreign Ministry has never replied in less than 20 days. So even if I have my application turned in tomorrow, I won’t know until the end of the month if I’ll be able to go or not.
So, that’s it. Gaza is off. For me, anyway. Technically, I could wait it out and see what happens. But, I have a few solid projects already lined up in the West Bank and delaying that long could jeopardize them. On top of that, even if I waited three weeks and was given permission to enter, I wouldn’t have the time to do the projects I want to do. So that’s it. For now.
So, yes, it’s a huge disappointment. I’ve been looking forward to doing some work in the Gaza Strip for months, if not years. That being said, this is a minor roadblock. If I have to return to Cairo some day and re-apply by myself then that’s what I will do. During this process, I’ve made some contacts in Gaza with some wonderful organizations and with some fantastic people and I will return if, for no other reason than to get the chance to meet them and work with them in person.
On the bright side, this decision has actually lifted my spirits in some ways. For the last few days, I’ve been hanging out in Cairo waiting for something to happen. That’s not easy to do in a city where you don’t know anyone or anything and you don’t really know where you’ll be sleeping the next night. All that is past now and I’ve regained control of what I’ll be doing.
In the next few days, I’ll be working on heading to Amman, Jordan and then on to the West Bank. I have a large network of incredible friends there and I have at least four solid and exciting projects lined up with some great NGOs.
So that’s it. Disappointed but optimistic. Time to move on.
Photo above taken in June 2008 on New Askar Refugee Camp outside of Nablus in the West Bank.
Shawn Duffy is a freelance commercial photographer and photojournalist based in the Washington, DC Metro area. Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, he is a self-taught photographer who has decided to merge his passion for photography with his intense interest in the world around him. From the bustling streets of Bangalore, India, to the refugee camps of occupied Palestine, Shawn strives to create images and tell stories that compel others to act.
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All content © 2012 by Shawn Duffy Photography
