#2 HOPE CONVOY TO BE CLEARED BY FORCE

CONVOY UNDER THREAT

Urgent!! After being led to believe that they would have an opportunity to more things forward this morning and get some members and the aid into Gaza. The convoy members were felling quite hopeful. Then they were told that only ten members, including the Politicians, would be allowed into Gaza and this would be without the aid!! Convoy members refused this as "unacceptable"

I have just been told that the Egyptians have called in the riot police to forcefully clear the convoy and it's members if they do not leave the border immediately. All negotiations have now ended it appears, as Egypt has now moved into attack mode to clear the convoy.

I am told the Politicians will be doing media interviews as soon as they can safely find a location to do so. More as I get it, bookmark this blog or subscribe to our feed for constant updates on the convoy.

#8 (UPDATED X1)GAZA HOPE CONVOY~ OPEN THE DAMN GATE

(post update x1 NOTE, there will be no more updates tonight, the convoy members are down for the night)
I have a few very important things to get out immediately. First most importantly, PRESSTV has a FALSE report on their website claiming this:

UK MPs on hunger strike over no Gaza entry

A group of British lawmakers en-route to the Gaza Strip have gone on a hunger strike after Egypt prevented their aid convoy from entering the besieged sliver.

The Convoy of Hope was expected to cross the Rafah border-crossing on Saturday, but reports say that Egyptian authorities have delayed its entry to the territory.

THIS REPORT IS 100% FALSE, they have confused the Doctors on Hungerstrike (who have been in Egypt since 5th of May) with the "Hope" Convoy members. I have verified this report via a friend who spoke directly to the Deputy Leader of the convoy himself. So it is false.

Next, what PRESSTV reports are the following issues, which I will address:

The 40-truck convoy carrying humanitarian aid, led by at least 150 people including European lawmakers was set to deliver to Gazans medical aids, wheel chairs and programs enabling the visually disabled to use computers.

Cairo however denied them entry, saying that only 20 people, minus aids, are allowed to cross Rafah -- Gaza's only border that bypasses Israel.

Ok, firstly there are not 120 people on this convoy, there are 98 people and 39 trucks. That's almost two people per truck if you minus the Politicians and the disabled people on the convoy. So, all those members are needed to take those trucks through the crossing and into Gaza to deliver that aid to those who are desperate for it.

Egypt approved them all, and then stamped their approval stamp onto every single convoy members passport earlier today,which allows them to leave Egypt. Then all that was left to do was for Egypt to open the last gate to Gaza. The convoy members were only 50 metres from Gaza. However, they then sat there and waited for ages, then there were reports circulating that only a "smaller" number of members would be allowed though. This is NOT due to any "security" issues, as all have been approved and already had their passports stamped to leave the country, as I stated.

The initial number began at 10, negotiations, discussions and meetings ensued, then it was raised to 20 members only. Still, no where near enough to drive the aid into Gaza, given the fact that there are 39 trucks as mentioned. This was, and still is, unacceptable to the Convoy group. The aid must get into Gaza, that is the purpose of the convoy.

The Egyptians then offered to take the convoy members back to Al Arish for the night; as it was by this time close to 6PM Egypt time and people were not getting anywhere. The convoy members refused this offer after a meeting and decided to stay exactly where they were at the border alongside the convoy vehicles. About an hour ago I was told that the Egyptians were clearing a Mosque so that the women and disabled people could get some rest tonight, The men will remain with the vehicles all night long.

PRESSTV did make an attempt to do a live interview with Gerry MacLochlainn the deputy leader and Sinn Fein representative and other members including Fernando Rossi, which I watched on television. However, the mobile phone connection was not that good and the interview was short. However, what he said was just what I stated above in this update.

I do not know what this meeting is for, or about at this time. But, I expect to have more news at some point this evening. Sorry, see update at beginning, no more updates tonight, convoy is down for the night.

In a word, this sucks.
Egypt needs to open that damn gate now!

HOPE CONVOY ON PRESSTV

Just another bit of info, PRESSTV is now covering the convoy. I just saw it on live news show. Additionally they are ringing the Deputy Leader of the convoy Sinn Fein Clr MacLochlainn for an interview in just a few minutes time regarding what was posted in my last update below (scroll down). So watch for that live update on PRESSTV. I am sure it will be recycled many times, so if you miss the live one, they will repeat it.

#7 HOPE CONVOY~TROUBLE LOOMS

Well, things are now going from bad to worse. Here is the current situation:

The convoy members and the Politicians have all gone through Egyptian security at the border, entered the compound (passed the first checkpoint and entered the compound) where they had ALL of their passports stamped and APPROVED to LEAVE Egypt. That took place 4 hours ago. Now, Despite having all their passports stamped LONG ago, the members have been sitting and waiting for hours now for the final checkpoint to be opened to Gaza. They are 50 metres from Gaza right now!

Now, the Egyptians are are not allowing them to leave Egypt, this despite, I say again, their passports ARE stamped and APPROVED to LEAVE Egypt!

Additionally, there is some "talk" now of Egypt not allowing the total number of 98 people in the Convoy, to leave and enter Gaza, I say again, after they have already had their passports stamped allowing them to LEAVE Egypt. There are 40 vehicles on this convoy and all of the members are needed to deliver this aid to Gaza.

The Egyptian authorities have offered the members the opportunity to return to Al Arish for the night, whilst this negotiation/stand off continues. And then to return to the crossing tomorrow morning. Let me be clear, the convoy WILL NOT return to Al Arish, they will remain right where they currently are, at the border, as they have come this far and have been approved to LEAVE Egypt over 4 hours ago, even though they are currently being blocked from leaving Egypt by the same authorities who stamped their passports earlier in the day.

A large number of journalists and media are there, and even they are beginning to become agitated. So I expect we will begin to see some television coverage of this very soon.

I am very tired and I hope I have been clear, however, If anyone needs clarification, or wishes to get a message to a convoy member, let me know by making a comment and I will try to help.

As things continue to progress I will keep the blog updated.

Doctors On Hunger Strike Until Allowed Into Gaza

The Hunger Strike, or "Troscadh or Cealachan" was used in Ireland as a method of protesting injustice for hundreds of years. It was detailed in the contemporary civic codes, and had specific rules by which it could be used. The fast was often carried out on the doorstep of the home of the offender. Allowing a person to die at one's doorstep, for a wrong of which one was accused, was considered a great dishonor. The Irish Hunger strike broke Thatcher and the British. Let's see what happens when high ranking Doctors begin to fall ill, due to Egypt and Israel's continued refusal to allow humanitarian aid, medicine and medical assistance to the THOUSANDS of innocent people Israel attempted to murder in cold blood. Good luck to the Doctors!

Nine medics seeking entry into the Gaza Strip on a humanitarian mission have gone on a hunger strike after being denied entry into the blockaded ghetto.

Three of the medical doctors, all British nationals say they have been denied access to the Palestinian territory at the Rafah crossing since the beginning of May.

They aimed at establishing a cardiac surgery unit at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, which currently lacks such a facility, the Guardian reported on Tuesday.

The group also seeks to "train medical students and junior doctors there", the report adds.

One of the medics identified as Omar Mangoush, a cardiac surgeon at Hammersmith hospital in London, told the British newspaper that the group had arrived at the crossing in Egypt on May 4 only to be told they did not have permission to enter.

"We are on hunger strike until they let us through," he said.

"We'll stay [at the crossing] until they let us in. We want to put pressure on the British embassy. We believe if the British embassy wanted us to do this they could exert pressure [on the Egyptian authorities]," Mangoush added.

The British embassy had apparently told the group that the Egyptian foreign ministry had "postponed" access to Gaza for the medics to an unknown date.

He also blamed the British embassy for not doing enough, adding that American aid workers had gained entry to the area at their first attempt with the support of the US embassy.

Other British medics on the hunger strike include Christopher Burns-Cox, a retired consultant, and Kirsty Wong, a nurse at Hammersmith hospital.

Others on hunger strike include three Belgians, Mangoush said.

"There are loads of people with heart disease [in Gaza]. They can't get here [to Egypt], they can't get to Israel. If it's this hard for us…, how difficult is it for the Palestinians to get out?" he asked.

Gazans continue to struggle with the aftermath of a three-week Israeli war and a 22-month siege, branded by many as medieval torture of the Palestinian population.

A number of aid groups say Egyptian compliance with the Israeli-imposed closure has contributed to a humanitarian crisis in the strip, which is only twice the size of Washington DC. link

HOPE CONVOY~#1 WEDNESDAY

I have recorded the interview from one of my friends who is the Sinn Fein Representative on the convoy, Clr Gerry MacLochlainn. This interview was done this morning at 9:30 AM Irish time, excellent statement at the 3:20 mark on the video. Minutes before this interview he was contacted by convoy leaders and told there was yet another delay and he addressed this to some degree in the interview below. On a side note, after the interview I received another report and I expect additional updates later today after some meetings take place. Everyone is hoping Egypt will be cooperative and move the convoy forward. If you re-post any of this info, please link back to this site, thank you.