PUBLIC POSITIONS AND MOBILISATION · OPEN LETTER · 11 AUGUST 2026
Context. Open letter made public on 11 August 2026 by seven organisations, including Human Sea Bridge, concerning the care pathway of the Al Rayyes family. This page reproduces its main content, addressees and signatories; it was expanded on 7 October 2026, when the website was rebuilt. Co-signing a text does not mean endorsing the other commitments of its signatories: Human Sea Bridge supports no party and no candidate (Article 5 of its articles of association). The association’s founders host Yaser Al Rayyes; this link is declared in our story.
Human Sea Bridge and several organisations are making public a letter calling on the French authorities to enable the continuation in France of Arafat Al Rayyes’s medical care and the successful conclusion of the visa applications submitted by the three members of the family currently in Cairo.
4 June
Evacuation via Rafah.
Under the coordination of the World Health Organization.
In Cairo
Visa applications submitted.
Brest University Hospital confirms its availability.
11 August
Letter made public.
Seven signatory organisations.
For the continuation of the Al Rayyes family’s medical care
And for the successful conclusion of the visa applications submitted to the French authorities.
Addressees
Mr Laurent Nuñez, Minister of the Interior
Mr Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs
Mr Éric Chevallier, Ambassador of France to Egypt
Mr Olivier Le Van Xieu, Consul General of France in Cairo
Mr Erwan Balanant, Member of the French National Assembly for Finistère’s 8th constituency
Copy: to the chairs of the political groups of the French National Assembly, and to the Members of the National Assembly and the French Members of the European Parliament to whom this letter is addressed.
Arafat Al Rayyes, his wife Sanaa and their son Mohammed were evacuated from Gaza through the Rafah crossing on 4 June 2026, under the coordination of the World Health Organization. This evacuation was a decisive step; it did not, however, bring their care and recovery pathway to an end.
Since arriving in Egypt, the family has remained in Cairo, awaiting the decision that would allow them to enter France. Brest University Hospital (CHU de Brest) has reiterated its availability and confirmed that it is able to provide multidisciplinary care for the serious after-effects of Mr Arafat Al Rayyes’s traumatic injuries. A medical solution has therefore been identified and can be mobilised.
The visa applications have been submitted. A medical solution exists. A French hospital team is ready to receive the patient. The care plan has been identified. All that remains outstanding is the decision enabling it to be implemented.
Signatory organisations
Human Sea Bridge (Pont de Mer Humanitaire)
Ligue des droits de l’Homme – France (French Human Rights League)
Ligue des droits de l’Homme – section de Quimperlé-Concarneau
Comité de soutien citoyen à la famille Al Rayyes (citizen support committee for the Al Rayyes family)
Collectif Palestine Liban Sud Cornouaille
Phi Solidaire
Section syndicale Solidaires (Solidaires trade-union section)
