FLOTILLA BOUND FOR GAZA

link Three ships carrying Turkish activists have set off from Turkey to Gaza on Saturday, the biggest effort by international aid groups to break the Israeli siege on the Gaza Strip.

The biggest of the nine ships from Istanbul is heading to the south western city of Antalya where two other Turkish ships will be waiting to join the convoy.

The seaport was overwhelmed by thousands of well-wishers, who had come to show their support for the people of Gaza.



The three ships will then travel to the waters off Athens and Crete to rendezvous with the other six, before making the four-day journey to Gaza.

The second ship to join the Freedom Flotilla en route to Gaza left Istanbul Saturday afternoon, joining eight other boats from three countries carrying 10,000 tons of aid for Gaza's residents, supplies embargoed by Israel.

A statement issued by the Freedom Flotilla's organizers said the latest ship is sponsored by the Turkish humanitarian organization or IHH and will carry 600 passengers to Gaza as part of the "blockade busting" flotilla.

Boats will meet in the Mediterranean, then turn toward Gaza to arrive at its beseiged slice of beachfront by the end of May.

Free Gaza Movement’s MV Rachel Corrie is already en route from Ireland and is presently off the coast of Portugal loaded with cement, paper and supplies for school children and medical equipment, the statement said. Rachel Corrie was a US peace activist who was killed by an Israeli army bulldozer in Gaza in 2003.

The convoy is from the UK, Ireland, Algeria, Kuwait, Greece and Turkey, and is comprised of people from 50 nationalities. It is made up of three cargo ships and five passengers boats.

Israeli violence?

But, news reports from Israel indicated that Tel Aviv will attempt to prevent the ships from reaching the blockaded coastal enclave.

A statement from Israel's foreign ministry said it had "no intention of allowing the flotilla into Gaza" but has not elaborated on what measures could be used to stop them.

Representatives from six organisations, including the European Campaign to End the Siege in Gaza (EGESG), said they were determined to enter the area regardless of pressure from Israel.


Israel should not be under any illusion whatsoever that their threats or intimidation will stop us or even that their violence against us will stop us," Huwaida Arraf, from the Free Gaza Movement, said.

Kahel Mazen, from EGESG, added: "If they choose to resort to destruction and death, our mission is to try to open a window of hope for the people of Gaza."

Earlier this month, UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees director John Ging called upon the international community to break the siege on the Gaza Strip by sending ships loaded with aid.

"We believe that Israel will not intercept these vessels because the sea is open and human rights organisations have been successful in similar previous operations, proving that breaking the siege of Gaza is possible," Mr Ging declared.

Gaza is still considered under Israeli occupation as Israel controls air, sea and land access to the Strip.

The Rafah crossing with Egypt, Gaza's sole border crossing that bypasses Israel, rarely opens as Egypt is under immense US and Israeli pressure to keep the crossing shut.

HERE WE COME~IRISH ON WAY TO GAZA

The boat left late last night from Dundalk, Ireland

link The ship "Rachel Corrie" leaves Ireland for Gaza to break the Israeli siege

MP Jamal Al-Khudari, the head of the popular anti siege committee, said that the break siege ship "Rachel Corrie" has left the Irish port of Dundalk heading to Greece en route to Gaza.

Khudari, in a statement late Friday night, said that the ship's departure was delayed for 48 hours due to "logistical reasons".

He noted that the ship would join the freedom flotilla heading to Gaza with humanitarian and relief material to the besieged enclave.

The MP said that the flotilla of 8 ships is carrying solidarity activists from 40 countries along with 1,200 tons of aid including cement, paper, medical supplies, special equipment for the disabled, sports and other assistance material.

The international alliance organizing the flotilla includes the Free Gaza movement, the Turkish relief foundation IHH, the European campaign to end the siege, and Malaysian, Greek and Irish institutions.

Rachel Corrie Ship Sails After 48-Hour Delay

More:

Saturday May 15, 2010 11:13 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC News

The Rachel Corrie solidarity ship sailed from Ireland heading towards the Gaza Strip after 48-hour delay due to logistic issues.

Palestinian Legislator, Jamal El-Khodary, head of the Popular Committee Against the Siege, stated that the ship is part of the international solidarity against the illegal
Israeli siege imposed on the Gaza Strip.

El Khodary added that the ship contains several figures and activists in addition to 1200 Tons of aid materials such as cement, paper, medical equipment, school supplies and several other materials.

The ship is one of eight solidarity ships carrying peace activists from nearly 40 countries.

The new wave of solidarity ships are organized by the international coalition that includes the Free Gaza Movement, the Turkish Humanitarian Aid Foundation, the European Committee Against the Siege and several Malaysian, Greek and Irish institutions.

The Free Gaza Movement reported that the 1200-ton cargo ship, one of eight solidarity ships, will be joined by ships from Turkey and Greece.

Israel said it will not allow solidarity ships to reach the Gaza coast while media reports indicated that the Israeli Navy was ordered to prevent the humanitarian ships from reaching Gaza, even if this means using military force against the nonviolent ships and activists.

The movement stated that Israel threats and intimidation will not stop the ships and added that “The Freedom Flotilla is acting in line with universal principals of human rights and justice in defying a blockade identified as illegal by the UN and other humanitarian organization”.

HELP A PALESTINIAN CHILD

cross posted from our friends at Desertpeace, because this is important:)

After posting the heartbreaking saga of a Palestinian child in Gaza, readers asked how they can help. I was overwhelmed by emails asking what could be done. One reader gave a link to a wonderful organisation in Canada. Anyone interested in helping can contact them DIRECTLY.

Under occupation, state-violence, and severely lacking financial, medical, and educational resources, many thousands of Palestinian children continue to live in desperate conditions.
The numbers are staggering: according to a July 2007 report entitled, *“Poverty in the occupied Palestinian territory,” published by the UN Development Programme, 70% of households in the Gaza Strip and 56% of West Bank households live below the poverty line. The poverty line is established as a monthly income of US $501.20 per month for a family of two adults and four children (US $2.78 per person, per day).

42% of households in the Gaza Strip live in extreme poverty (when the same household lives on US $250.60 per month or less – US $1.38 per person, per day or less).

ABOUT US
The Canadian Palestinian Foundation of Quebec, a registered Canadian charity (#12747 2926 RR0001) established the Child Sponsorship Program (CSP) in 1999 in order to provide desperately needed financial assistance…and hope, to poor Palestinian children and their families living in the West Bank and Gaza.

We work closely with our Palestinian NGO partners and serve as a bridge between those who can help and those who are in desperate need of help.

Our program is run by volunteers and we are one of the few organisations that does not deduct a percentage from child sponsorship donations to administer the program or for other overhead costs such as office supplies, banking fees, postage stamps, printing, website maintenance, communications, website maintenance; etc. – separate fund-raising is used to cover these costs. In addition, our Palestinian NGO partners do not charge any administration fees either.

HOW OUR PROGRAM WORKS
By joining our program, each sponsor directly aids a Palestinian child in need. Financial contributions benefit children who are poor, orphaned, disabled, or requiring medical care, by directly improving their standard of living.
Sponsorship pledge: Sponsors contribute a minimum of CAD $70/month or equivalent

1 Sponsorship period: We require a one-year commitment. Sponsorships automatically renew at the end of each year, unless CSP is notified in writing.

Payment method: Contributions can be paid annually, semi-annually, quarterly or monthly by cheque or by credit card and also through our partner, CanadaHelps.

2 Wire transfers: To minimize collection costs and bank fees, sponsorship donations are wire transferred in bulk to each partner NGO which in turn distributes the amounts to the sponsored children’s guardians.

Transfer costs: CSP covers all transfer costs, insuring that children receive 100% of the amount donated by their sponsors.

[1] The cost of living in the Occupied Territories is much higher than other sponsored areas of the world such as Africa and South-East Asia.
[2] A credit card fee is added to the pledged amount should this option be chosen.

WHAT TO EXPECT
A profile of your child: Each sponsor receives a child profile containing contact information, medical information and the child’s photograph (if available).

Updates: Our Palestinian NGO partners do their best to provide updates to sponsors about their child’s situation and children are also encouraged to write to their sponsors.Communicating with your child: Emotional support is at the heart of our program. Sponsors are encouraged to connect with their children by sending them letters through our NGO partners. They in turn, will send any letters and cards from sponsored children and their families to us for distribution. Their precious correspondence is their special way to thank sponsors for their generosity and for sending them a much needed message of hope.

#4 VIVA PALESTINA CONVOY ON THE MOVE

just off the phone, they say they are just about to leave now. People are packing up and getting ready to head to Rafah right now inshallah!!! more when I hear it, BREAK THAT SIEGE

#3 VIVA PALESTINA UPDATE 6 JAN 13:52 GMT

Here are some reports from the Derry 5. One is from last night after the attack but only received today, the other is from a few hours ago:

Yesterday we had successfully arrived at the port of Al-Arish. All the 220 vehicles were there, joined with the 450 volunteers. It seemed only a matter of time before we left for Rafah, 15 miles down the road. George and the rest of the leadership announced that talks were ongoing, but everything suggested that we should be in Gaza by late yesterday afternoon. It was great; we thought we were finally going to make it, elbowing Egypt out of the spotlight and turning it on the great people of Palestine.

Instead this happened. Kevin Ovenden said at around 730pm that negotiations were in a critical stage and we needed to make our voices heard. This advice was taken many different ways. I got the idea that the Egyptians had gone back on their word to let the whole convoy in, but rather they were letting everyone in, except 70 cars from USA that didn’t have any medical aid anyway.

Anyway, people did make their voices heard and began to chant and shout inside the compound as the negotiations went on in the balcony up above. An energetic crowd gathered and made its way to the gate of the compound. It was mainly the Turk contingent joined by some of the British. Anyway, the crowd was greeted by Ovenden and Galloway who were on the balcony above.

The crowd made its way to the gate and broke it. At this point, there was only about 20 Egyptian police around, and they seemed scared. But the riot police had been preparing up the hill all day and they soon surrounded us. The Egyptian official had walked out of negotiations and ordered the riot police in. There was a standoff between ourselves and around at least 400 or more riot police. They encircled us at the gate, and drove a massive water tanker to block of the exit about 15 yards away from the gate.

At the beginning, it was a peaceful protest, singing and making noise. The Egyptians were there to be provoked, no doubt, but they needed a reason. This went on for about 1 hour 30 mins, and then all hell broke loose. I don’t know who threw the first stone but the Egyptians seemed to have prepared stones to be thrown. A running battle went on for about 30 minutes, mainly the Egyptians hurtling stones at us. Some people fought back with stones and sticks against the riot police with batons. Five seasoned Derry men stood at the back. Ole hands at these riots.

The end result was up to 20 people injured, head injuries and even worse it appears. There was news that the Turks had captured 3 Egyptians police as hostages but they were later released. There was a deadly atmosphere amongst the compound. This wasn’t the way it was suppose to work out, we should of been heading for Gaza. At this point, it’s too early to see where the blame lies.

Galloway made his way onto the stage, looking very shaken and holding prayer beads, he recalled the progression of events that I have just told, and once again, encouraged people to protest throughout the world against the Egyptians. He said we wouldn’t be going anywhere soon'. We went to bed after that.

So another massive change of events, and I think the whole thing has had a negative rather than positive effect on proceedings. A lot of people think this way and I could see a lot of people going home. If that is possible I do not know, because as I was going out to the internet café to send this, they gave me hassle and took my passport. Who knows what will happen today

The five of us are going to have a team meeting shortly and discuss flights. We are due to fly out today but won’t make it at this point. Things have gone by in impasse for too long, it’s become a game of political football, we just came for the people of Gaza and we are still not there after more than 4 weeks. Still no matter who goes home, we will show patience and wait at least until Sunday to see what transpires. But definitely, this morning we are disappointed and have no sight of what the future holds.

I have lots of pictures of the riot but this pc won’t let me upload them.All the best, and thanks for the support once again. The 5 boys

NEW UPDATE: they said in a 2nd message today that they expect to leave for Rafah today and be allowed to stay for 48 hours inside Gaza. The 59-60 vehicles in question will not be going in but will be retained in the possession of Turkey, not Egypt. All members are said to have been cleared to enter Gaza, just not those 59-60 vehicles from the USA. They hope all this is true and that they will leave for Rafah soon. But my guess is that no one will leave for hours, not after the fracas at the Rafah border a few hours ago where 2 Palestinians were shot and injured by Egyptian security. I’ve seen over the last hour on live television the Gaza police and Gaza border control agents attempting to clear all the people from the border. Once they have all been cleared and some time passes, perhaps Egypt will let the convoy go sometime tonight and quickly enter after dark. Just a hunch, but if it is going to happen today, it will be tonight when things are settled and less media around. Otherwise tomorrow night after dark. That is what I think anyway. We will see. Any more updates I’ll get them up quickly.

#2 VIVA PALESTINA UPDATE 10:35 GMT 6 JAN

UPDATED I keep forgetting to add things I post on twitter to the blog here, sorry bout that but it's getting confusing. I heard that the convoy has been forced to accept leaving behind those 60 vehicles. Turkey will take control and possession of them, not Egypt. Also, Just got a message from the boys:

Thanking everyone for all their support yesterday. Everything OK here. We are leaving for Rafah within hours for 48 hour stay inside Gaza. Till we enter we won't know if it's true or not. Things are settled here now so all looks good. Will text when in Gaza.

The 5 Boys

More as we get it:)

#9 UPDATE ON CONVOY ATTACK

Small amount of news to report. Still recovering from the last several hours of our boys being missing and under attack. That was an awful time! Especially when only their phones were found and not them!! So spoke to one of them again just now and they say 20 members were injured in the attack and there are some people for the convoy who are missing and cannot be found. For those following the convoy from Cork Ireland, just to let you know, I asked and your people on the convoy are all OK as well. Just thought you'd want to know that:) Up da Irish!! haven't heard about the Dungannon team, but I was told all the Irish are OK. Well done! More when we get it. What a night, had enough of this already let them in!!

#4 UPDATE VIVA PALESTINA MORE PROBLEMS

Trouble in Al Arish AGAIN! Just got a text message, they have not been allowed to leave as they thought. Here’s the latest:

Still at Al Arish, Negotiaions are under way. Egyptians tying to move the goalposts again. All in all we expect to enter early tomorrow morning for possible 24 hours stay inside Gaza. That’s all for now The 5 Boys

#'3 VIVA PALESTINA UPDATE 5 JANUARY

I expect there will be lots of these small messages until they finally cross over into Gaza. Here is the latest, just received word for word at 14:35 GMT:

we are leaving right now to travel the last 11 miles to the Rafah crossing where we expect serious negotiations. The last hurdle in a long journey. The 5 Boys

#2 VIVA PALESTINA UPDATE 5 JANUARY

Just received another message from the boys:

Heading to Rafah within hours but don't expect to enter ASAP, there will be battle Galloway said.

More as we get them, but they are about to leave for the border now inshallah.

UPDATED #2 VIVA PALESTINA~DERRY TO GAZA UPDATE 5 JANUARY

updated X1 at end of post

No sooner than we got the #1 VIVA PALESTINA update posted here for today, the mobile phone went off with a message from JJ updating the situation. Here's the text message as we received it:

Just arrived in Al Arish. other squad got passports back lastnight & stayed in hotel. So we're sitting waiting for luggage here and hoping for the best. We won't move till rest of convoy comes

What he is referring to is this from Alice Howard:

My last message to all of you was that the Viva Palestina convoy members have arrived into Al-Arish and were just hours away from breaking the siege of Gaza.

Now, I report to you that in the past hour 157 Viva Palestina convoy members passports were taken away at Al-Arish airport by the Egyptian authorities. The Egyptians also removed the passport’s of British MP George Galloway and convoy leader Kevin Ovenden.

All passports were stamped in on entry but also received an exit stamp too. The Egyptian’s wanted 157 convoy members to drive tonight to Gaza and forget about the other 400 Viva Palestina volunteers that were yet to fly into Al-Arish tonight.

Egyptian authorities say that the 400 volunteers would not be allowed entry! Convoy members started a sit down riot and refused to move or leave without their fellow convoy Brothers and Sisters!

I am now pleased to say that all passports have been returned back to their rightful owners and exit stamps have been removed – We won that battle! – Now convoy members are scouting for hotels for tonight and will return tomorrow to be reunited with all convoy members, before moving on, to pick up their vehicles and head for their final destination, Gaza!

Well as you can see that the situation is changing by the hour and I am now calling for all of you to gather at Egyptian Embassies, consulates and interests tomorrow. It will be either to shame the Egyptian government for blocking the convoy further or to celebrate Viva Palestina entering Gaza and organising further solidarity.

Viva Palestina convoy will fight all the way to deliver the aid to Gaza!
Alice Howard
information@vivapalestine.org

NOTE, last message jsut received says they are just waiting for last plane to land at Al Arish, then they will all be heading to Gaza!! fingers crossed inshallah!!

#1 VIVA PALESTINA UPDATE 5TH JANUARY

JJ Crockett: "It’s not up to the Egyptians or the Israelis to allow or disallow people into the house of the Palestinian."
The boys have been trying to get this to us, dodgy internet connections are difficult but it's finally here. This update written at 4AM last night Egyptian time:

We are sitting in the Damascus international airport at 4am here. Despite our greatest hopes of flying in from Syria to Egypt, those hopes have been spectacularly shattered once again. The first flight of 120 convoy members that were due to join the aid that had successfully arrived in Al-Arish, departed today at 4pm. We then got on the second flight at 8pm, and all was going to plan for an entry into Gaza tomorrow. Spirits were high, everyone was laughing and the excitement was immense as we were waved off from the Palestinian refugee camp in Latakia, Syria. They told us to give their love to family that they not seen in many years, and gave their blessings to a homeland that they were thrown out of. We shook their hands and embedded their messages deep within us. I really believed that we would arrive in Gaza on the 5th (tomorrow), and even Danny and Derek were hopeful they could get the pre-arranged flight home to Ireland on the 6th. After all, these are two family men, with children that have spent 33 days away from a family that are usually used to having them at their side, especially at Christmas.

However, all these hopes and premonitions were dashed, when our plane had to be diverted to Damascus due to technical problems. We have been here since 0930am and are now just boarding a flight at 6am. Stories are leaking through that our counterparts who had successfully flown into Al_arish earlier, had their passports confiscated and even worse; they were given an exit visa whilst they were only entering the country of Egypt. That’s a hand of welcome from the Egyptians alrite.

So we carry on...more obstacles will appear that’s for sure...and this is just a small insight into the lives of Palestinians that literally stand at checkpoints for hours on a daily basis. We share this suffering with them, and it reassures us that through all this, we will finally meet them and publicise to the world that here is a humble people, broken by a brutal occupation and siege.

We will continue, and hopefully within the next 48 hours, enter Gaza and leave the ambulance and supplies there. I know we have been saying this for a long time, but every time we knock on the door and seem to be let in, they close it shut right in front of us. We keep knocking and we will get in, because it’s not up to the Egyptians or the Israelis to allow or disallow people into the house of the Palestinian.

This is the update from now.. We will join our friends in Al-Arish, and then 2 more flights will transfer the remaining 200 from Syria to Egypt, making us a 500 strong party with 220 vehicles in Egypt by tomorrow afternoon and only 30 kms from the gates of Gaza. God I hope we make it, and so do the other 4 boys. Thanks for your support, and publicising the horror of the brutal siege on Gaza. If we keep this up, then there will be change. We can have trust in this.

good nite, JJ

More soon......

#2 VIVA PALESTINA~DERRY TO GAZA~ UPDATE 4 JANUARY

JJ Crockett January 4 at 11:17am Reply
Hello folks, cautious excitement is the mood here, we're ready to explode upon entry to gaza but we are aware through lots of experience that things can change rapidly. But for now, things are looking great, and we are nearing the successful completion of a great journey that we hope will contribute to ending the siege of Gaza. And what an achievement that will be for all the people who took any part in this campaign.

Firstly, the cargo ferry had arrived at Al-Arish earlier this morning and all the vehicles had passed through the customs successfully, without any change being made to the aid within the vehicles. Brilliant!! Never expected this and more importantly it suggests the Egyptians want us in and out asap without delay. So the vehicles are now waiting for us to pick them up at the port of Al-Arish, which as i have said before is only 25 kms from GAZA!!!

Secondly, the transfer of all 450 passengers will be carried out by 4 different runs by the same plane. The first one will begin at 4pm, followed by 8pm, 12pm and then finally 4am. The Derry team are on the 8pm flight. We do not know what to expect upon arrival in al-arish but the management and diplomats have been spread throughout the flights to encounter possible challenges. If all goes well, all 450 people with vehicles will be in Al-Arish by around 8am tomorrow morning. What happens then, i do not know at this point.

I will be sure to update u of anything happens in the next 24-36 hours which are critical. I expect the flights to arrive without a problem, then once in Egypt the challenge will start. I will keep u updated for sure. Heading back now to pack bags for 8pm flights. The 5 of us are in good form here and thanks a lot once again. Almost there!

NEW PHOTOS~ VIVA PALESTINA~DERRY TO GAZA FIVE

this is the 3rd update today, if you missed any check the sidebar. We just got some great photos from the last 12-24 hours upload and posted below, and another wee note from the boys to further confirm what they reported earlier in great detail HERE.

Alrite folks, finally we have a bit of progress. The ferry with our vehicles has set sail to Al-Arish and will arrive within the next 12-15 hours. Last night, the Israelis had announced they were expanding their international waters to divert the boat. Yet another obstacle, but now we're getting use to jumping them. The five of us would like to thank you very much for your support and the actions you have taken to put pressure on the Egyptian government. I hope that your actions will be rewarded and the people of Palestine, who are just like ourselves, will take a step closer to freedom.

Thanks to the people of Derry and all over the world! Hope to update you again very soon, thanks again

The 5 boys

The boys passing time in the Ambulance with a bit of music, whilst stranded in Syria-CLICK TO ENLARGE


THE BOAT ARRIVES-CLICK TO ENLARGE


ALL HANDS ON DECK....LOADING THE BOAT,PEOPLE ARE EXCITED NOW-CLICK TO ENLARGE


BOAT BEING LOADED IN THE EARLY HOURS-CLICK TO ENLARGE
MORE AS WE GET IT

NEW UPDATE #2 VIVA PALESTINA THE LATEST NEWS

If you read our post just this morning HERE regarding the updated info on Israel. We have even more information in a detailed update below which we just received. The boys attempted to join us here in live chat, but their internet connection is dodgy at best, so we had to wait for email instead. This is the most recent update just received a few minutes ago.

JJ Crockett January 3 at 12:05pm Reply

Things have been changing rapidly in the last 12 hours, and now I will update you fully on developments, with the endpoint being a very good one, as it stands at the moment anyway.

Yesterday at 4pm we loaded the vehicles onto the cargo ferry from the Syrian port of Latakia. This was the Turkish ferry with a Turkish crew that was the outcome of the Egyptian-Turkish agreement to allow a ferry to sail from Syria and not the previous port we were at, Aqaba. So we loaded our vehicles onto the expected 18 hour crossing into Al-Arish. In the meantime we had not yet received 'security clearance' for our flights into Al-Airsh for Sunday (today). We were anxious that we were putting the cart before the horse but it seemed our only option.

At 8pm, further bad news came. 'Security clearance' had not yet been received and even worse, the ferry had not gone out to sail yet. The Israelis had announced that they were expanding their 'international waters' from 12km to 20kms, meaning that the ferry would have to re-co-ordinate its route. We were gutted to hear this, and thought that there would be an endless barrage of obstacles put in our path; with the end result being that we didn’t get into Egypt, never mind Gaza.

Things have improved dramatically since then. At 12pm today, Kevin Ovenden announced that the ship had set sail last night at 10pm on a new route that would extend its period of travel by 8 hours. Happy days we thought, now the confirmation of the flights would have to follow. Kevin said that they had received 'verbal assurances' from the Egyptians about our safe arrival by plane. Whilst on stage, however, he received confirmation that the airline would fly, regardless of clearance or not. So the first of four flights are due to fly out tomorrow at 4am and ideally arrive before the ferry to ensure safe and secure unloading.

So as it stands, and I emphasize that the goalposts are being moved all the time, the ferry has set sail, hopefully it will arrive sometime later this evening or tomorrow morning. Coincidentally, the flights are due to fly out at 4am Monday morning. Inshallah both the vehicles will arrive in Al_arish by Monday evening, and be able to be on the road for Gaza for Tuesday 5th January, one day before the gates are due to close.

This is all I know for now and if there are any developments, I will update u immediately. But all is planned for our entrance of aid and people.

The 5 boys

UPDATE~VIVA PALESTINA~DERRY TO GAZA

Just got the latest update from the Derry to Gaza team:

Just loaded vehicles into carryferry.Whilst it travels to Al-Arish,we await 'security clearance' to fly into 2moro from Egyptians.Its was a difficult decision separating from vehicles but was our only option at this point.We will hopefully fly 2moro or monday at latest.Once in Egypt, we are sure to enter Gaza but we are not yet in Egypt. We wait and wait...but it feels like the end is now near.

BREAK THAT SIEGE BOYS!

BREAKING~VIVA PALESTINA~ 72 HOUR CRITICAL PERIOD BEGINS NOW

UPDATED 2 JANUARY lastest info says Israel will block convoy by sea, read it HERE

Please pass this information on to everyone, we need to be ready to support the Convoy should the worst happen:NEXT 72 HOURS ARE CRITICAL
Received personal message from our boys on the Convoy, followed by a press statement they just released.

Tomorrow our 200 vehicles will travel on a 20 hour ferry aided by 60 volunteers into Al-Arish. The remaining 450 people who can’t enter the ferry will fly to Egypt and arrive before the boats to ensure a secure entry. Next 72hrs are critical as to the success of our whole mission. We don’t know what the Egyptian response will be as we pull into their shores, but we expect the worse and have absolute faith that in time we ill enter the gates of Gaza. JJ Crockett Derry to Gaza Viva Palestina convoy

Here is the press release JUST out from the Viva Palestina Derry to Gaza Five:

PRESS RELEASE

FROM DERRY TO GAZA IN AN AMBULANCE (UPDATE)

HEADLINE: NEXT 72 HOURS ARE CRITICAL

Message received 1st January 2010

Last night we received further info about the next critical 72 hours. Kevin Ovenden, leader of Viva Palestina and right hand man of [George] Galloway, came out and reported that:

We have got a cargo ship which, weather pending, will set sail tomorrow afternoon (1st January) on a 20-hour crossing to Al-Arish. At the moment, the ferry cargo ship only allows 12 people on board but Viva Palestina is trying to extend that to 60 people. These people are crucial to minding the vehicles and ensuring a safe entry into Egypt. The remaining 450 people will fly on chartered airplanes to Al-Arish and arrive Sunday afternoon before the boats, and hopefully we will get out to the port without trouble before the boats arrive.

All these arrangements are dependant on the weather but these are the plans. Overall and inshallah, we expect to be in Al-Arish (25 kms from Gaza) by Sunday afternoon. The last time the convoy was there, they got stones thrown at their vehicles, and physical abuse from the Egyptian police. We expect the same and will draw up strategies to deal with these possiblities. It’s hard to beat down a man that has driven 5000 miles through all lands and seas, fuelled by a tidal wave of great support. The Egyptians will need more than fists to block our entry, though we will not provoke them. Let’s hope for the best and expect the worst.

So, once we enter Al-Arish, the shite will hit the fan....There will be an inevitable 2-3 day delay and possibly more...Rumours suggest the Rafah crossing into Gaza is open from the 3rd to the 5th. Hopefully and ideally, we will enter on the 3rd, spend a couple of days in Gaza building up contacts of support and be able to fly home from Sharm el Sheik on the 6th January. Though this is doubtful. As I said we are prepared for the worst, but live in hope. The next 72 hours are the most critical of the whole campaign and we need your support more than ever, to cover the media side and put pressure on Egyptians to let us through. We are on their doorstep and they must let us in.

Signed, The Gaza Five

About the Gaza Five:

The Gaza Five are: Jonathon Crockett, Eanna O'Donaghaile, Danny Doyle, Eddie Mc Bride and Derek Mc Chrystal. On December 5th this year, five Derry men set out on a long journey from Derry to the Gaza strip in an ambulance full of medical aid and educational resources in order to provide humanitarian relief to the people of that region. These are people who are suffering since the latest conflict, which caused devastation resulting in much of Gaza being destroyed and 1,400 men, women and children being killed. The Israelis have now placed a blockade on Gaza preventing any aid into Gaza's impoverished people and preventing them from leaving. These 5 Derry men took on the task of driving this ambulance all the way to Gaza meeting up with a convoy of 220 other vehicles from all over Europe to deliver humanitarian aid through the organisation 'Viva Palestina'.

WE WILL MEET AT AL AQSA

During the coordinated protests being held on both sides of the border between Israel and Gaza. Today Prime Minister Haniyeh thanked everyone and said we will all meet at Al Aqsa, inshallah:

link Hamas prime minister in the Gaza Strip Ismail Haniyeh said to Arab Israelis that they strengthened the resilience of the Gaza residents in their stance against Israel.

"We succeeded in overcoming the occupation's plans. We are certain we will meet at the al-Aqsa mosque and that Jerusalem will continue being Arab and Islamic," said Haniyeh to those attending an international protest being held on both sides of Erez Crossing in a call to lift the blockade of the Gaza Strip

MASSIVE PROTESTS TODAY

Loads going on today. I was informed late last night that the Freedom Marchers in Cairo were planning a huge event this morning, and it has begun. Here's the morning rundown so far: There is a worldwide protest at all Egyptian Embassies today. Info on the one taking place in London is being reported at JewsSansFrontieres

Picket at the Egyptian Embassy
Thursday 31st December
1.00pm – 3.00pm
26 South Street, London, W1K 1DW, off Park Lane, Marble Arch/Hyde Park Corner Underground stations

Also in Canada you can read about that on Facebook here (you must be logged in) Here in Ireland there are various protests and candle light vigils. I'll be attending a small one today as I am driving up to Derry for that event. Will post photos later today.

In Egypt:
the Gaza Freedom Marchers have assembled for a massive protest in Egypt,in what has now become known as "Gaza Square" There has been some trouble with reports of cameras being smashed and a few people beaten and knocked down. You can read about Hedy Epstein here. She is there still going strong. bless. And this tweet made me laugh:

TankaBar: #GFM #GAZA took 3 cops to push one lakota jew down the street. haha "you basterds are lucky im a pacifist and dont know how to fight!"

I love the American Indians,during the Irish famine imposed by Britain millions of Irish died, when Ireland's people were starving and dying, being found dead with grass stains on their mouths, the American Indians sent us corn. They rock!! You can follow him here. This just in:

Gaza Freedom Marchers are discussing spending new years eve on streets of Cairo. Message: end the siege, free Gaza.

In Israel:
Marchers are assembling at the Erez crossing, you can view some photos here. Also if you scroll down you can view photos of what's going on in Egypt as well.

WATER BOARDING, EGYPTIAN STYLE

We reported on the new “Egypt Death Wall” days ago and noted that Sabbah has some of the first photos of the wall's construction which you can view here. Two things to mention about this “Death Wall. “ Firstly, the wall is all about further assisting Israel in the Illegal siege on Gaza which targets the civilian population. That makes Egypt complicit in Israeli war crimes. As those who are in control of the civilian population under siege are responsible for their welfare, according to UN resolutions and Geneva Convention. Additionally, I would like to note here that Egypt has undertaken to compete with the CIA in torture. As this new “Death Wall” is also designed to kill anyone digging or inside the tunnel as well. I liken this to CIA water boarding torture methods, only without the ability to gasp for tiny breaths of air in between the water. For this new “Death Wall” is designed to leak sea water into the Gazan soil, making it unstable and causing it to collapse, suffocating anyone caught in or near it. No chance to gasp for tiny breaths in a collapsed muddy wet tunnel. More after photo below:

WATER BOARDING~EGYPTIAN STYLE
What makes people risk their lives try to smuggle in goods is nothing more than sheer survival. Gaza is in survival mode, trying desperately to survive and live. And Egypt wants to remove this and assist Israel in punishing an entire population held captive:

LINK December 29, 2009, (Pal Telegraph) -Well informed sources revealed one of the secrets of wall of death being implemented by the Egyptian government on the border with the Gaza Strip which is a water system to be used for flooding existing tunnels and drowning anyone trying to dig new ones.

The sources said that holes are being dug on the Palestinian side of the fence and pipes, 20 to 30 meters long inserted in the holes. The work on the wall is being carried by Egyptian workers employed by the "Arab contractors" in the presence of foreign engineers on site. (Americans are working with the Egyptians)

According to the sources a 10 kilometer main pipe will carry water from the sea and distribute it to a comb of pipes planted in the ground about 30-40 meters apart which will be used as a first line of defense against tunnel diggers.

The sources added that the pipes that will be planted in the ground have holes and will regularly irrigate the soil which will cause present tunnels to collapse and will make it harder to dig new ones, and will have detrimental influence on the soil on the Palestinian side while the thirty to 35 meter deep steel wall protects the soil on the Egyptian side from such effects.

The Gaza Strip, which has been under siege for over three years, depends on those tunnels for food, milk, fuel and other essential goods smuggled from the Egyptian side. Not only that but the Egyptian side has also benefited economically from those tunnels.