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.

The Convoys You DON'T Hear About

The big convoys to Gaza are wonderful, but there are hundreds of other un-sung hero's working for Palestine. We all hear about the big George Galloway Convoys and the big ones with Cynthia McKinney and so many other high profile people, and that is all good. But, the truth is there are hundreds of smaller ones that go relatively un-noticed, despite their hard work. So today I want to plug a group of people who have worked their collective "Arses" off to bring aid to Gaza. They are now at the border and should pass though very soon we hope. It all depends on the Evil Rogue State now, so let us all wish them well and support them as they now attempt to enter Gaza with the much needed aid. Their story is heartfelt, give it a read and give them your support. And remember that every day regular unknown people, who you never hear of, manage to do amazing things for Palestine. Here is the story of "Pathways to Palestine", or in Irish "Slí Phalaistín"

Palestine - Irish Cyclists Reach Jerusalem on 6000km Journey to Gaza

Cycling close to double the distance of the Tour de France, four Irish cyclists are now on the final stretch of their journey to from Ireland to Gaza.

The students, having just reached Palestine, arrived into Jerusalem Saturday and will attempt to cross into Gaza over the coming days. Their 6000km cycle aims to raise money in support of an emergency appeal to provide for neo-natal care and medical resources for burn victims in Gaza.

The initiative came from Eoghan Quinn (21), a type-1 diabetic, after he learned of the restrictions on medical supplies reaching Gaza. “As a diabetic I am completely dependant on constant access to medicine. I wanted to use my fortunate circumstance to help those cut off from the outside world in Gaza.”

They set off on their arduous journey from Ireland on June 22 and have been cycling over 150km a day, resting only once a week. “We are really looking forward to reaching Gaza, said cyclist Ronan Sheehan adding “we have overcome hypothermia in France, several falls with some on busy highways and survived being chased by wild hounds in central Turkey, its been tough but epic”.

The cyclists have been assisted by a small support crew which includes John Lyttle: “I am in absolute awe of the lads for what they have achieved so far and through my background as a student physiotherapist and first aider, I aim to help in any small way in the completion of their mission”

The intrepid travellers have received support from around the world, including a formal motion of commendation passed by the Scottish Parliament and a reception in the Irish Parliament hosted by Irish MPs and Senators. As they travelled through each country the team documented the trip on their website via an innovative audio blog that lets them phone and ‘phlog’ direct to the site. (Also posted are many photos!!)

According to cyclist Gearoid O Cuinn, Gaza’s medical infrastructure has been crippled by the two year long siege that has led to widespread malnutrition and many preventable deaths. “We are working with the health care charity ‘Medical Aid for Palestinians’ – MAP - to try in some small way to alleviate the situation,” said Gearoid.

If they succeed their back-up vehicle will be donated to a rehabilitation hospital that was partially destroyed in the January offensive. “Even as we prepare to reach Gaza we will continue in our efforts to raise money for our charity (MAP) via our website www.pathwaystopalestine.com” said Tom Watts, member of the support team “All monies raised online go directly to their operations on the ground”, he added.

The team consists of Eoghan a town planning student; John Maher (30), medical student; Ronan Sheehan(21), pharmacy student and Gearóid Ó Cuinn (29) law student, all of whom attended the same high school. The support vehicle travelling with the four cyclists will be driven by trainee physiotherapist, John Lyttle (23), from Derry and Tom Watts (21), from Sheffield, who studies psychology. Project coordinator: Gráinne Quinn

GUILTY~Israel Found Guilty of Misleading

Looks like the Israeli "Hasbara" spin machine, spun a little out of control in it's recent add campaign in London, England. I wrote about it here when it happened. The Zionist add campaign for Israel consisted of posters inviting the British people of London to leave their cold rainy country to come and visit sunny happy racist Israel. In their zeal, the Zionist Add Agency went a bit too far with the "spin" and published huge posters they covered the London Underground with. These posters consisted of maps of Israel, showing the whole of Israel as including all of Palestine, Oooopsie!! The ever vigilant British Public noticed something was not quite right and filed hundreds of complaints. Mucho Kudos to them, here's the scoop:

The posters, on the London Underground, sparked hundreds of complaints from pro-Palestinian groups and members of the public.

The Advertising Standards Authority said a map labelled Israel implied the occupied territories were in Israel.

Israel's ministry of tourism said no political message was intended. (Yeah, right mate) It added that its aim was to give tourists an idea of the areas in and around Israel.(What he really means is the future map of Israel if the Zionists get their way)

The ASA said: "We understood that the borders and status of the occupied territories of the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and Golan Heights were the subject of much international dispute, and because we considered that the ad implied that those territories were part of the State of Israel, we concluded that the ad was misleading."

They said the advert must not appear again in the same form.
The watchdog upheld complaints from the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign, Jews for Justice for Palestine and 442 members of the public. source

Clearly another case of "Liar Liar Pants On Fire" for Israel.

Gaza~A Good Day

With all the terrible news continually coming out of Gaza, I thought I@d post excerpts of this excellent article from Electric Intifada:

It was a summer Wednesday evening and Muhammad al-Ghreiz, 22, was getting his eight-member team ready for a breakdance show at the al-Baydar restaurant on the beachfront just south of Gaza City. Six months ago, Gaza's beaches were under heavy Israeli bombardment from air and sea, but now this area, near the evacuated Israeli settlement of Netzarim, was about to hear an altogether different kind of sound.

Breakdance, the hip hop dance style that began on the streets of New York City more than 30 years ago has become popular with youth all over the world, even breaking through the tight Israeli blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip.

Al-Ghreiz and the other b-boys leapt on to the stage wearing black T-shirts emblazoned with the words "Camp Breakerz" -- the name of their group. Their moves caused excitement among the audience -- many went right up to the stage, and others took pictures with their mobile phones of an exuberant scene.

At one point in the 10-minute set, the group formed a circle, as one of their members danced in the middle. Afterwards, al-Ghreiz explained that the circle symbolized the siege on Gaza.

Until January Camp Breakerz often trained at the al-Ahli sports club in the Nuseirat refugee camp. "Unfortunately, the entire club was completely destroyed during the last war and we are now on our own

The team members -- who range in age between 15 and 25 -- contribute some of their own money, according to Ismail. Appeals to local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and charities for support have proved fruitless even though the break-dancers perform at the invitation of many such groups.

Ahmad Ismail stresses that Gaza's b-boys are are developing their own original style: "The most important part of what we do is education ... Our main message is to reflect our own unique Palestinian situation. We educate our team members not to be blind imitators of western-style dancing."

Ahmad al-Hourani, 16, said that when he began break-dancing his cousins told him, "this is disco [a term generally used to describe western-style dancing], and that is against our Palestinian traditions." But they too came around, recognizing it as a skilled and worthwhile activity. "I dream of becoming a great breakdancer," al-Hourani said, "when I dance, I feel I have achieved something." read more here

Would be nice to find an NGO to fund them and give them a place to continue this where other young people could come and learn. The young people of Gaza need safe places and activities they can do to escape their open air prison.

His Zionist Butt Has Been BANNED!!

Vice Chair of the ZIONIST FEDERATION banned from Event in England.
SCORE:
GOOD PEOPLE=ONE
ZIONISTS=0

A prestigious local community venue in east London was set to host an event on Thursday night organized by a charity that supports and funds a boycott of Israel and accuses Israel of being an apartheid state.

Moreover, the charity made it clear to the co-vice chair of the Zionist Federation, Jonathan Hoffman, that he would not be allowed to attend.

War On Want's executive director, John Hilary, told the Post: "The event is designed to draw public attention to the gross abuse of human rights in Palestine. My colleagues and I have just returned from there last week, and we will be sharing our experiences of the situation alongside Ben White's presentation of his book."

Asked why Hoffman had been banned from attending the meeting, Hilary said: "War on Want welcomes all members of the public to our events. Mr. Hoffman alone has been told he will not be welcome on Thursday because he is known for causing serious disturbances at public events on this issue." more

STOP~Don't Help Those Disfigured People

What can one say? Every day it's the same thing, only the date changes. More doctors are being turned away by the Zionist Rogue State controlling the borders of Palestine. This time it's a team from France, including a highly respected plastic surgeon, who's aim was to help re-construct the lives of disfigured children. The disfiguring, of course, coming from the Evil Rogue State and Zionist Occupying Force that targets women and children civilians.

Israel clearly is not interested in having anyone "tamper" with their disfiguring results, or offer any assistance to these disfigured people. Israel likes to have their "handiwork" available for all to see, like some sick badge. A reminder to Palestinians that they reaped the benefits of a genocide for daring to hold a democratic Election in 2006, even the Evil Shrub Bush graced the television news programs touting how wonderful it was to see people exercising their democratic rights to vote. However, just like Iran, those "rag heads" voted for the wrong effing people, how dare they! (American sentiment there, NOT mine!)Anyway, like I said, same shite, different day:

Israel was yesterday criticised after it refused to allow a group of doctors on a humanitarian mission organised by the French government to enter Gaza.

The team, including three British medics, was turned back by Israeli border guards on Sunday and Monday. They say their mission is purely humanitarian, aimed to helping those in medical need, and some of whom were left injured and in need of surgery after Israel's attack on Gaza earlier this year.

One of the Britons refused entry to Gaza, Sonia Robbins, who is a reconstructive plastic surgeon, said: "I don't know why we are being refused permission to enter. "The consequences are that patients will not be operated on, children will have to wait until next time for surgery, and that won't happen until six months time. "I think it is unacceptable to refuse a humanitarian mission."

(Ah, but Sonia my dear, can't you see? Israel would first have to view the Palestinian people as somehow being "human" in order to feel any empathy for those disfigured children. And I don't think we can expect to see that any time in the near future, if ever. After all, Israel is a "Jewish" state, as such does not recognise anyone except themselves as victims)Here's more:

The mission is organised by the French doctor Professor Christophe Oberlin. His lawyer has sent a letter to the Israeli defence ministry, demanding an explanation, and wrote: "The purpose of their meeting was for the both teams, to hold activities together of medical consultation, surgery and teaching."

The letter says the denial of entry to the medical team amounts to Israel violating "the basic international humanitarian law principles, the obligations of Israel as the occupying power of the occupied territories, [and] its obligations under the international covenant of civil and political rights and the convention on the rights of the child." source

Israel on World Quest to Improve its Image (break out the sick bag)

Israeli Beach, Coming Soon to Country Near You

When will the world begin to understand the depths that Israel will go to fool people and make them think they are wonderful democratic people, who want peace and equality. They spend billions (probably the billions they steal from poor Americans) to carry out these "missions" worldwide and get a foot hold into other countries where they hope to one day exert the same type of control they have in America. Wake up people, unless you want to end up having them control what happens in your country as they did in Canada when they forced the government to ban a British MP from speaking, and in the USA when they ran a smear campaign against Charles Freeman who Obama had appointed. So now we see this farce in Vienna, an "Israeli Beach" on the Danube, I kid you not.............

This from the "Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs" (and HASBARA)

New Tel Aviv beach to be opened – in Vienna

A new six-month long initiative by the Israeli embassy in Vienna will focus attention on Israel's rich cultural life, its society and its products, and delight and entertain the residents of the Austrian capital and the many tourists that flood the city.

"Tel Aviv Beach" is located in the center of the city, along the banks of the Danube River that intersects the city, and only a few hundred yards from St. Stephan's Cathedral.

Pay close attention to the next bit:

The beach is an additional platform of Israel's embassy in Austria, and an additional layer in the implementation of the active public diplomatic strategy promoted by the embassy.

The public "strategy" of the Israeli Embassy, meaning, to counter what the world just saw in Gaza! Well, it will take much more than a few Israelis dancing in some fake beach to convince me that they are peaceful people. Perhaps they should start with making the Arabs living in Israel equal citizens, stop bulldozing homes, stealing land, ramping up war, murdering children, over haul its criminal army, stop printing t-shirts with pregnant Muslim women saying "one shot, two kills" stop the illegal act of war siege on Palestine, allow Palestinians the right to return to THEIR homes, begin to respect and adhere to the over 60 UN resolutions it has against it's evil rogue state, put forth its war criminals for trial and support the outcome of said UN trials, give up the stolen land and give Palestinians a rightful homeland NOT under Israel control, and give up its nuclear weapons, just like they want Iran to do. Then they can come and dance for me!MORE BELOW

Israel's rich cultural life, its society and its products are not well known in Austria and in other cities around the world. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs perceived this challenge some time ago, and has since been actively market these topics, using various methods. The Israeli embassy in Vienna has implemented an active approach, which is expressed by the number of initiatives. The most conspicuous of these was the "Israeli streetcar", a typical Viennese streetcar, completely wrapped on the outside with campaign pictures, and with LCD screens and advanced sound systems inside.

The "Tel Aviv Beach" represents a significant escalation in the scope of activities and the leverage of strategic success. Approximately 1000 sqm., bounded by a huge screen on one side and a Bauhaus-style café/bar/snack bar on the other. Beach chairs and Tel Aviv's typical night-scene pyramid-style street lamps are already on the way, Israeli atmosphere for Austrians and international tourists who flood Vienna alike. The beach will offer a typical Israeli refuge from European routine. Chill-out, excellent food and spontaneity. Broad, unrestricted Internet coverage with a range of popular web technologies on the side. more HASBARA here

They are building beaches in Vienna, whilst Palestinians live in rubble caused by Israel's over the top military genocide in Gaza. Disgusting! People should BOYCOTT THE BEACH

Israel's New Secret Weapon

How israel can kill off Palestine without firing one single shot.



A new weapon looms to be used on Palestinians. Not a new US made missile or bomb, but rather a ticking time bomb that Israel already has its hands all over. It is a simple fact of life, he who controls the water wins. With Israel already pilfering Palestinian water and the Palestinians most fertile land; One wonders what will happen to the tiny patches the Palestinians still attempt to eek out a small living with, once they have less water.

Water Problems in the Middle East

In some ways, water is more precious than oil in the Middle East and fuels already heated conflicts. Israel, Jordan, Palestine Syria and Lebanon share the waters of the Jordan River and attempts to use the water for different projects by different countries have resulted in constant friction.
Competition for the river was a major contributing factor to the 1967 war with Israel.
Palestinian Leader Mahmoud Abbas spoke at the World Water Forum and called for clean and clear water politics for the Palestinian people. He asserted Palestinians had four times less water per capita than people living in Israel, a consumption level far below the World Health Organization's guidelines for minimum daily access to water.

I say again, witness the new Israeli weapon………………water.

Israel Shunned by Everyone Important in Washington

Ever feel like you’re being shunned? Ever feel like you are invisible? Ever feel like you weren't told about the secret handshake? Ever feel like you weren't invited to the party?

Well that’s exactly what Israel’s Chief of Staff feels like after coming to America. It looks like the bloom is off the rose for Israel, it’s about time. Obama may actually earn my respect one day if he keeps putting Israel in it’s place, e.g. out of American politics.

Here ya go, well worth a read, and try not to laugh too hard:)

Israel's visiting chief of staff finds doors closed
in Obama's Washington

WASHINGTON — Last year, Israeli Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi had no problem setting up meetings with top officials in the U.S. government.

On his current trip to Washington, Ashkenazi sought to meet the administration of President Barack Obama, but most officials were unavailable.

Diplomatic sources said Ashkenazi failed to obtain access to any Cabinet member, including Defense Secretary Robert Gates. The Israeli military chief, who sought to discuss the Iranian nuclear threat, won't even meet his counterpart, Adm. Michael Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The administration is sending a very clear message to Israel, and this is we want to talk about Palestine and not Iran," a diplomat who has been following U.S.-Israel relations said.

On March 12, Ashkenazi left for a five-day visit to the United States meant to lobby the Obama administration to abandon the planned U.S. dialogue with Iran. Ashkenazi, scheduled to meet with the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee, (AIPAC the cancer in American Politics!!!!)was expected to have brought new Israeli intelligence on Iran's nuclear weapons and missile programs.

But the diplomatic sources said the administration made it clear that nobody in a policy-making position was available to sit with Ashkenazi. (are you laughing yet???) This included the president, Vice President Joseph Biden, Gates, National Intelligence director Dennis Blair or Mullen.

"The Obama administration believes that Israel is as much or more of a problem as it is an ally, at least until Israel's disagreements with its neighbors are resolved," former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, John Bolton, said.
Bolton envisioned that the White House would pressure Israel
to legitimize Hamas and Hizbullah. At the same time, he said, Obama would continue to woo Iran.

Already, economic and diplomatic advisers to Obama have urged the president to launch a U.S. dialogue with Hamas. The US/Middle East Project, which includes such Obama supporters as former Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Sen. Chuck Hagel, was said to have elicited a promise from Obama to listen to any proposals made by Hamas.

The diplomatic sources said the White House and the senior echelon of the Obama administration have refused a dialogue with Israel on the Iranian threat. (THANK GOD FOR THAT!!) They said Ms. Clinton, during her visit to Israel, was largely silent during briefings by Israeli intelligence on Iran's nuclear and missile programs.

"The Israeli government and military have been alarmed by the rapid and dramatic reversal in the U.S. policy toward Iran," the source said. "This reversal took place without any consultation with Israel, Gulf Arab countries or even Congress." (Ok you must be laughing by now, Imagine, how dare the USA makes it’s own decisions and policy!! Without “informing Israel and getting permission. Perhaps AIPAC should have left Freeman alone, payback is a bitch!)

But Obama and his top aides appear uninterested in hearing Israel's position. The sources said a key aim of Ashkenazi was to urge the administration to release weapons and systems long sought by Israel in the area of aerial refueling, air-to-ground weapons, sensors as well as the F-22 fighter-jet.

"Ashkenazi sees this U.S. refusal as what has been undermining Israeli deterrence toward Iran and boosting the confidence of the Teheran regime," the source said. "The mullahs in regime have concluded that America has dropped the military option and won't allow such an option to Israel." (HASBARA anyone???)

LINK HERE

NEW REPORT~Israel Murdered 43 ½ Innocent Civilians Each Day

Israel Murdered 43 ½ Innocent Civilians Each Day

As reported I the Irish times, a new report just in states that the death toll for Israel’s 22 day genocide in Gaza came to a 1,434 with a staggering 960 innocent civilians. Translation, Israel was allowed by the International community to willfully murder 43 ½ innocent Palestinians each and every day of its 22 day holocaust in Gaza.

"Final Gaza toll includes 960 civilians, report shows
Israel's 22-day offensive in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip killed 1,434 people of whom the vast majority were civilians. According to a Palestinian human rights group, 960 civilians, 239 police officers and 235 fighters were killed by Israel during the onslaught.

"The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights' investigations reveal that throughout the course of the assault, Israeli Occupation Forces used excessive, indiscriminate force, in violation of the principle of distinction," the group said in a report (www.pchrgaza.org).

The principle of distinction "obliges all parties to the conflict to distinguish between combatants and non-combatants."

An Israeli military spokesman claimed the army had "made every effort to minimise harm to the civilian population" during the fighting. ( Yeah right mi arise!See my post about the Israeli IDF having a policy of killing children HERE and how they taught their soldiers to kill civilians HERE)

The group said it would publish a list of the identities of those killed next week and would post them on its website in Arabic, with an English version to follow.

"The Ministry of Health have also confirmed that a total of 5,303 Palestinians were injured in the assault, including 1,606 children and 828 women," it said.
It called for an international investigation into "crimes committed by the Israeli forces and Israel's conduct of hostilities" and "prosecution of all political and military officials" accused.

Israeli media have quoted officers as saying there was far less resistance from Islamist gunmen than they had expected." (Ok, so which is it then? Because I seem to notice almost all interviews with soldiers who are now worried about being charged with war crimes and they are pointing to how dangerous it was fighting HAMAS as their excuse for killing so many civilians. Hmmmmm, grasping at straws I’d say. GUILTY OF WAR CRIMES!! Throw them all in Jail for life)

WAR CRIMES UPDATE

Following up on two posts I made last week HERE and HERE This is the latest update (below) on the possible war crimes charges against 25 top Israelis.

Interpol mulls Iran`s request for 25 Israeli officials over Gaza op

Interpol says it is studying a request from Iran for 25 Israeli officials to be placed on its most-wanted list over Israel's offensive in Gaza.

The international police agency says it took the unusual step of confirming the request publicly, as Iranian government officials have made their request public.

Interpol says in a statement released Tuesday that its legal team is studying the Iranian request for the issuance of 25 red notices, the highest-level alert Interpol issues. The Lyon, France-based agency says it received the request Saturday.


Iranian state TV reported March 2 that Iran's judiciary asked Interpol to issue arrest warrants for 15 Israelis over the Gaza offensive in December and January. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1070021.html

Here is a list of the top 15:
The list of Israeli war criminals includes:

1 Outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert
2 Defense Minister Ehud Barak
3 Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni
4 Chief of the General Staff Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi
5 Commander in Chief of the Israeli Air Force Ido Nehoshtan
6 Commander of the Gaza war -- Operation Cast Lead -- Maj. Gen. Yoav Galant
7 Head of Military Intelligence Directorate Maj. Gen. Amos Yadlin
8 Commander of Battalion 13 in the Golani Brigade Lt. Col. Oren Cohen
9 Deputy to the Givati Brigade Col. Ron Ashrov
10 Commander of the Israel Paratroopers' Brigade in Gaza Col. Hertzi Halevy
11 Commander of 401st Armored Corps Brigade convoy Col. Yigal Slovik
12 Commander of the 101st Battalion in the Paratrooper Brigade Lt. Col. Avi Blot
13 Lt. Col. Yoav Mordechai, who served as a commander of the Golani infantry brigade's 13th Battalion in Gaza
14 Givati squad commander Col. Tomer Tsiter
15 Brigade commander in Battalion 51 Col. Avi Peled

For more information on this, you can read about the Israeli Army’s policy of killing children here: ”Israel Admits to Policy of Killing Children” and also their policy of killing civilians here: Israeli Soldiers Taught to “Kill Them All”

RUNNING UPDATES ON CONVOY

will be easier if I just have one entry from this point on and keep updating it with the latest news at the TOP of the post. Anyone who wants to catch up should read the posts below this one as they are in reverse order as they happened.

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5:15 UPDATE CONVOY AT GAZA CITY SQUARE NOW
Convoy finally just now arriving into the square in Gaza city. Galloway just had a small press conference thanking the people and volunteers for all their hard work..

Still more of the 300 long convoy trucks and members continuing to arrive at the square. Very emotional moment, with regular people taking to the streets to welcome the convoy. Shouting welcome to them and carrying and waving Palestinian flags.

Now some people are gathering in the square to meet the members of Viva Palestina convoy who have already arrived and are leaving their vehicles, amazing to see this, just regular Palestinian people coming out to greet the convoy members, some are coming up to the vans just to touch the faces of the convoy drivers, so emotional and heart warming. Still more convoy trucks continue to arrive, one after another, each one being greeted, this is wonderful to see. The streets are lined with people welcoming them, it’s now after 7PM in Gaza and beginning to grow dark somewhat, still trucks are arriving as I write this.

The members will rest tonight, and tomorrow they will have a tour and then begin to work in hospitals and other facilities.

Galloway said about the aid it has brought, again stressing that everything other than medical aid has been taken by the Egyptian government, supposedly to be brought into Gaza by the Red Crescent within the next several days. This includes clothing and toys for the poor little children who have suffered SO much! We will see if this happens, or will Israel confiscate it like it has done with much of the aid the world has sent to help Gaza. After all, it confiscated an entire huge shipment of pasta the other day, saying that pasta was not considered to be food. Typical Israelis, starve Palestinians as much as you can and keep stealing their land while you attempt to exterminate them all. Evil people, simply evil. Should there be any more news I will report it here as it happens

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5:00PM UPDATE
Gaza convoy has now left Rafah after the HUGE reception and speeches (see below), now on its way to Gaza City for the second welcome , which I expect to be quite fantastic as the people will be welcoming them and holding some fort of reception. At 5PM, still no word of convoy reaching Gaza City yet. As soon as it arrives and the second set of celebrations and reception begins, it will be blogged here

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2:55PM

Ridley talking about stories that happened along the way to Gaza. Says, in the poor areas of Algeria, poor people coming up to convoy handing them one or two dollars, all the money they owned, wanted the convoy to give it to people of Palestine, this happened all along the way, in every country and town they passed through. The support was amazing by regular people on the ground.


Palestinian centre of human rights in England, being interviewed now. Very proud of the convoy delegation coming across the world to help, People of Gaza have raised their heads high, shown the world what it means to be proud Palestinians. People taking photos now, still rejoicing and greeting, getting ready to leave for Gaza city now.


Convoy calling for Rafah border to remain open, also calling for Arab states to create convoys to Gaza. Calling the world to re-create convoys, people can make the border open.


Will continue blogging when convoy arrives in Gaza city for the next big reception

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2:42 convoy now to make its way to Gaza city, groups split up into those who are now going to work in humanitarian groups and others who just want to visit the people, or work in what groups they plan on joining up with. Upon arrival into Gaza city a HUGE reception will await them all. will blog on this when it happens


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2:40 they are holding Galloway's hands in the air, are holding hands with him, cheering, more cheering. Palestinian officials now mixing with convoy members, what a beautiful site to see. Palestinians are so grateful, they are mixing and greeting the members of the convoy, so emotional, so emotional. Hugging people, hand shaking, tears. The looks on the faces of the people say it all, no need for words, it is written on their faces. Just to know the world cares for them, so emotional.Personal note: I hope Israel is seeing this, wonder how it feels to be the most hated country in the world.
News is now breaking away, more as it happens

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2:33 GEORGE GALLOWAY speaking now

Thanking them from the bottom of their hearts for the reception they have received after their long journey

Entered holy land of Palestine, on the birthday of the prophet, peace be upon him


Travelled across 8 countries, 300 people, for 23 days to get here. Had three goals to achieve, call attention to those in world of the urgent need to break the siege of Gaza.

Second goal: hundreds of collections of by hundreds of communities across England so a Palestinian child may have clothes, medicine, wheelchairs and aid, where now they have none.

3rd objective to send message to Muslim world that we are your friends not enemy; Tony Blair does not speak for Britain, the people do, big cheers here!! Clapping, more cheers by crowd.


We travelled many miles to this land of heroes, being received by heroes. We watched agony, pain and tears under bombardment for 22 days. Demonstrated by thousands of cities. We clashed with police outside Israeli embassy in London, night after night, decided this was not enough, our hearts were broken for you. Decided that when our children asked us what did you do when this crime was committed. We could tell them we gave every breath we could to come to Palestine to help the people.

We have brought everything we would carry, we will hand it to Ismail Haniyeh the elected prime minister of Palestine, huge cheers for this!!! Massive cheers.

The US and Israel and Britain may not recognise him as the elected prime minister of Palestine but he is. Huge cheers again.


In our millions we are all Palestinian, repeats this three times, MASSIVE CHEERING BY ALL.

Thanks the crowd, massive cheers

chanting viva viva palestina over and over, massive celebrations and chanting for the convoy and Galloway

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2:30
huge welcome to Galloway from Hamas leaders and people. They are speaking in Arabic and then English to the crowd. Talking about free elections being held in Palestine, Hamas we elected then the unfair siege was visited onto Gaza by Israel. George is looking great next to them all.

people starved and under siege after democratically electing hamas,basicaly saying collective punishment to the people of Gaza for whom they voted for in democratic election, denied basic human rights by Israel, agricultural activities taken. Result of siege and attack, talking about war crimes by Israel.

Nothing stops the free people of the world, open borders to help Gaza. Convoy has broken the siege. International people can break the siege, calling on others to create another convoy to break the seiege again, help Gaza.


Welcoming everyone here, having suffered hardships on the way, thanking them, asking for borders to open and help to arrive. Thanking people for leaving their homes and coming to help the people of Gaza.

Message to brothers in UK and Libya we need to live in freedom

Galloway up next

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2;24
Live update

Hamas official speaking now, Galloway next to speak, they are stood together at the podium now.



2:20 PM
Television has cut away to other news while we wait for George to speak, knowing George it could take a wee while for him to prepare LOL:) gotta love George, he's brilliant:)

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2:00
Ok, will be easier if I just have one entry form this point on and keep updating it with the latest news at the top of the post. Anyone who wants to catch up should read the posts below this one.

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2:15PM getting ready for George Galloway to speak as he has now arrived into Gaza with tears in his eyes

Convoy truck are everywhere, crowds of people surrounding them, people on top of the trucks cheering and waving Palestinian flags. All waiting for Galloway to speak

SHAMEFUL EGYPT=VIVA PALESTINA CONVOY LIVE UPDATES

Viva Palestina Convoy UPDATE

**note** if you want to keep up to date use this url http://irish4palestine.blogspot.com/ as I will be making additional blogs on this as thing happen

“Grown men were weeping at the sight of the Rafah Border”

I started writing this blog last night after viewing televised news reports on the convoy. I am suffering from the flu today so only getting this up now. Today (Monday 09, March) I will continue to blog on the progress of the convoy which is supposed to enter Gaza today. Starting with last night, from live television news report, big problems in Egypt, convoy members have come under attack, several have been injured.

Sunday night:
The convoy is only a few miles for the Rafah border and has been stopped and detained by Egyptian authorities who are under pressure by Israel to force the convoy through Israel instead of the Rafah border. Of course, George Galloway and convoy members will never agree to this and have said so publicly. However, negotiations still continue and Egypt has caved in to Israel to some degree by insisting that only the medical equipment can go through in Rafah. This is outrageous!! The Fire Engine the lorry with the huge generator and all other non-medical equipment will be forced through Israel before entering Gaza. Meaning all the wonderful donations collected for the people and children will go into the hands of the Israelis and most likely never seen again!!

Gaza-bound aid convoy 'Viva Palestina' has been attacked in Egypt on its way to break a long imposed Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip.

Several activists were injured after the attackers - claimed to be members of Palestinian Fatah faction - vandalized some of the cars in the convoy, Press TV reported Sunday.

British lawmaker, George Galloway, who is travelling with the convoy, said that Egyptian authorities did not protect the convoy despite their promises.” They are blocking us inside, but they don't protect us."

The convoy of peace activists including Press TV presenter Yvonne Ridley and Film maker Hassan Ghani left London on February 14.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=87940§ionid=351020202

Continuing on about last night. The convoy was being held in a small area, surrounded by hundreds of Egyptian police, it is 8:30 PM and dark. Suddenly the lights go out and the convoy is attacked by “unknown” groups of people who were obviously allowed to pass through the line of riot police surrounding the convoy. Members of the Viva Palestina group were attacked with stones and bricks, their vehicles were defaced with disgusting remarks. The Egyptian police did nothing to protect the convoy members and several have now been injured and are bleeding.

Moving on, this pattern of the all electricity being suddenly cut off, the area falling onto total darkness and “groups” of attackers being let through the police line continues. Earlier, some convoy members fought back when the Egyptian police attempted to separate the convoy into several tiny groups on the premise of then allowing these tiny groups to continue on to Gaza one at a time. However this is viewed to be a ploy by the Egyptian police and authorities who have so far not been helpful to the convoy and not protected the convoy.

video from yesterday before the attacks




Monday Morning:
This morning, terrible scenes from last night of Egyptian police with batons charging the convoy members and beating them back. This is a disgrace and Egypt should be ashamed!! And, in another live interview, George Galloway MP, has said that the Egyptian police did not protect the convoy members and allowed unknown “groups” of people through to attack them and vandalised the convoy vehicles by writing vile messages on them. He stated the vehicles will be restored by members before entering into Gaza. Additionally, this morning, it is confirmed that ONLY medical supplies will pass through the Rafah border crossing. Everything else will be handed over to the Egyptian Red Crescent to then be transported into Gaza via Israel. I doubt Gaza will ever see any of this! Egypt should be ashamed of itself, what a disgrace. So much for the Great Arab Nation of Egypt. Who, it appears, is now controlled by Israel!

UPDATE: some of the convoy has now reached the border crossing, the area between both borders known as “no man’s land” Press TV reporter, Yvonne Ridley who is travelling with the convoy, reported that upon seeing the Rafah border, many member of the convoy were weeping. “Grown men were weeping at the sight of the Rafah border” she said. These vehicles are expected to cross into Gaza within the hour, they are now waiting for ALL other convoy vehicles to arrive as well. George Galloway MP was still in Al Arish in Egypt where the convoy encountered problems last night. He has refused to leave until all the other convoy vehicles and members are at the border and safely into Gaza. Once he knows they are all safely inside Gaza, then he will cross over and the ceremonies will begin inside Gaza.

Reporting form the Gaza side of the border, a journalist is waiting and has also stated the same thing, that once the entire convoy reaches inside Gaza, Galloway will enter. After this happens a reception will take place at which time I will blog about that when it happens.


Keep watching here for live updates on the convoy entering into Gaza and the reception ceremonies and speeches as they happen.

UPDATE

12:00 PM

Yvonne Ridley at Rafah crossing, reporting the George Galloway is about half and hour away from the border now. Once he arrives and the convoy is reunited it will make its attempt to cross into Gaza where a huge reception is awaiting them. They expect the convoy to be crossed into Gaza by 3:00 PM baring no more complications by the Egyptians.

Journalist from the Gaza side reporting that officials have gathered to welcome them and will hold a formal reception (at the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing) then they will go from there into Gaza city itself, where they will meet the people of Gaza who will also welcome them in another big ceremony. Galloway will be speaking along with other Palestinian officials once inside. More as it happens…

FREE PALESTINE!!

17/02/09 Galloway Leads Convoy to Gaza~Go George!!!

George Galloway Heads Convoy to Gaza!!

I love this guy, he is incredible!

Describing the huge convoy he is leading to Gaza, packed with food, clothes and medical supplies, he begins with a proud recital of the statistics: "One hundred vehicles. A mile long. Aid worth a million pounds." If he smiles like a cat that's got the cream, who can argue? The help is needed. The vehicles – trucks, cars, ambulances, fire engines, even a boat for the fishermen – that left London yesterday at the start of a three-week overland journey have been donated and are crewed by volunteers


"This is a vast armada, the biggest convoy of British vehicles to cross North Africa since Montgomery and the Eighth Army." His grandfather Tommy was there. "I grew up with his lovely black-and-white pictures of the desert." And, being George, he cannot help himself from turning up the heat. Most of those who are going with him are British Muslims. "If I had said to the youth, 'Right, break out the Kalashnikovs, we're heading for Palestine,' they would have been there. The people are boiling mad

Galloway raised the most support for his idea in "the big industrial cities of the North" – speaking to a thousand people in a warehouse in Bolton, for example. "There is such anger at Britain's role. All the public money the Government has spent on checking the radicalisation of Muslim youth has gone up in smoke [since Israel began its attacks]. The idea that Muslims are going to watch that on the television every night and not be radicalised is completely fanciful."

He goes further. "There is a kind of intifada among the youth. They are determined to act." Inflammatory stuff – except that Galloway, who has courted this audience to great effect since alienating himself from mainstream party politics, insists he is offering the angry another way. "We say, 'Don't be lured by the siren voices of separatism and extremism – join with us and express your anger politically, in a way that will be peaceful, non-violent, and not cost you your life, but will not cost other people their lives either. If the Government had any sense, they would be facilitating this convoy."


It's not, of course. The rich accent is that of a Scotsman like Gordon Brown, but fraternal feelings go no further. Galloway was born in Dundee in 1954, and joined the Labour Party just 13 years later. He represented Glasgow seats as an MP from 1987 to 2005, by which time he had been expelled from the party for bringing it into disrepute – essentially, because he dared to oppose the invasion of Iraq. Later, accused of profiting personally from the UN Oil-for-Food programme, he was summoned to appear before a US Senate committee. That was when the rest of the world discovered the cigar-chomping, finger-waving magnificence of the orator in full flow. See it on YouTube today.

Here ya go:

Yes, he had met Saddam, he said, exactly the same number of times as the US Secretary of Defense. "The difference is that Donald Rumsfeld met him to sell him guns." Afterwards, Galloway stood victorious on Capitol Hill, having won new fans – even among the previously reluctant – by sticking it to the senators.


At his office in Portcullis House there are pictures of Palestine and an action doll of Fidel Castro. George – nicknamed Gorgeous because of his dress sense – is in a black suit with a thick pinstripe and a black shirt. His silver beard is closely cropped. We meet two days before the departure of the convoy. Is this really the best way to get aid there? No. "It's definitely not the most efficient way," he admits. "But it is the only way for ordinary citizens to do it."


Anywhere else, there would be a Berlin-style airlift, he says. "Almost every window has been broken but Israel refuses to allow glass across the border. So, in the bitter winter, 61,000 families whose homes have been destroyed are living among the rubble and the rest are freezing because they've got no windows. You could solve that problem in a weekend, but because it is the Palestinians it doesn't happen."


The volunteers are taking their own aid. "What we asked people to bring was bedclothes, clothes, nappies, food and medical equipment." Does he really expect to be allowed in? "I do, actually. My prediction is that by the time we arrive in Gaza there will be a 12-month ceasefire." If not, they will wait there until let in.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/george-galloway-because-youre-gorgeous-1622484.html

The world needs more George Galloways!!