Egyptian doctor Ashraf Sabry, father of actress Yasmine Sabri, has stirred widespread controversy after publicly criticizing Tunisian actress Hend Sabry for her support of a land-based aid convoy that recently departed from Tunisia en route to the Gaza Strip.

In a Facebook post, Sabry wrote: “Imagine that Hend Sabry, the Tunisian actress whose fame was built in Egypt, is supporting the Tunisian convoy that goes against the will of the Egyptian people and government,” implying that her stance contradicts Egypt’s official position.

He went on to say: “Anyone who doesn’t like Egypt and its people should leave it and return to their own country,” and called for “the deportation of Hend Sabry from Egypt and the revocation of her membership in the Egyptian Actors' Syndicate.”

Sabry’s statements coincided with an official statement issued by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which reaffirmed Egypt’s welcoming stance toward international and regional support—both governmental and popular—for Palestinian rights and opposition to the siege imposed on Gaza.

The ministry emphasized the necessity of obtaining prior approval for visits by foreign delegations to the border areas near Gaza, including Arish city and the Rafah crossing. These visits, it explained, must go through official diplomatic channels such as Egyptian embassies abroad or foreign embassies based in Cairo.

The statement also noted that several such visits—by both governmental and non-governmental organizations—have already been organized in accordance with these established protocols, aiming to safeguard the security of visitors amid the sensitive conditions in the border region since the outbreak of the Gaza war.

Furthermore, the ministry stressed the importance of all foreign nationals adhering to Egyptian laws, including visa requirements and the need for prior authorization before entering the country.