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"
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
Bethlehem - Ma’an - The Free Gaza Movement will return to the Strip with a “flotilla” of boats at the end of May carrying generators for hospitals and schools, medical supplies as well as journalists and politicians to observe the situation in the coastal area.
The team said it hoped to have supplies and sponsors organized by the end of April, and hope to set sail for the Gaza Strip between 25 and 31 May. The flotilla will include 5-10 boats from several nations.
Among those set to be on board are Beyond Chutzpah author Norman Finklestein, British journalist and sister in law to Quartet representative Tony Blair Lauren Booth, Holocaust survivor Hedy Epstein, former US Representative and Green Party candidate Cynthia McKinney and several other notable figures.
According to the Free Gaza movement board members and volunteers are traveling on a fundraising mission in the Middle East, and are now in the Gulf where they have “been promised money to help defray the costs of the flotilla organizing.” The group has registered a charity in Cyprus that collects donations.
Organizers say two countries have already pledged supplies for the mission, and are relying on the efforts of the Free Gaza movement to get the essential goods into the Strip.
The Free Gaza movement saw the only successful voyages to the Gaza Strip, effectively breaking the Israeli-imposed siege on the coastal area three separate times. Their last two voyages, however, were cut short. The first boat was rammed by Israeli warships and was forced to take an emergency diversion and sail to Lebanon for safety, and the last voyage, made during the last days of Israel’s war on Gaza, was blocked entirely.
The Free Gaza Mission seeks to challenge Israel’s claim that they no longer occupy the Gaza Strip and that border patrols are for Israeli security rather than Palestinian oppression. Israel has warships stationed off the Gaza coast, and regularly enforces a three to six kilometer fishing limit, though the 2002 Bertini Commitment and the 1993 Oslo Accords say a 12 and 20 nautical mile limit should be observed.
Another convoy on the way to Gaza announced by the European Campaign to Break the Siege on Gaza. Reported to consist of hundreds of trucks with medical equipment. Additionally this time there will not be just one Elected Parliamentarian, like there was with the Viva Palestina convoy and George Galloway. Nope, this time there will be "dozens" of EU parliamentarians coming along. Head up Egypt and Israel!
Gaza – Ma’an Hundreds of trucks loaded with 150 wheelchairs and medical equipment for the disabled and other equipment for the deaf and blind will soon depart for Gaza, according to a statement sent to Ma'an.
Dozens of European parliamentarians will join the convoy, planned to set sail in May from Italy to Egypt, where the group will coordinate passage to the Strip via Rafah.
"The latest Israeli war against the Gaza Strip increased the Palestinian struggle and suffering, leaving many injured and disabled, and many stories of misery,” said Dr Arafat Mady, head of the European Campaign.
He added, "There are some cases that we could name where patients have become 100 percent disabled, paralyzed, and others who lost their sight, and many who are no longer able to hear."
He said the aim of the convoy is to remind the world of what happened to Palestinians there and the consequences of the war, and to encourage other states to support Gaza.
He also called on Israel and Egypt to open their crossings to permit patients to travel, noting that hundreds of Palestinians have died due to lack of treatment.
MORE BELOW:
100 European lawmakers, governors, mayors visit West Bank refugee camps, Italian aid convoy to Gaza
Some 100 European parliamentarians, mayors and governors arrived in the West Bank on Sunday under the auspices of a program that “twins” French cities with Palestinian refugee camps.
The leaders, who are primarily French, visited their counterparts on Sunday in the twinning project in Deheisha Refugee Camp in the West Bank city of Bethlehem. The delegation is led by Fernand Tuil, the head of the French twinning committee (Association des Villes Françaises Jumelées avec des Camps de Réfugiés Palestiniens).
The delegation is scheduled to visit several Palestinian refugee camps in the West Bank and Jerusalem to show solidarity with the Palestinian people, and demonstrate support for Palestinian refugees’ right to return to their homes from which they and their ancestors were expelled in 1948.
The delegation will also hold talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and other Palestinian politicians in order to receive updates about the situation in Palestine.
According to Tuil, the predominantly French delegation is the largest of its kind that has ever come to the Palestinian territories. He said the goal of the visit is to support the struggle of the Palestinian people for their national aims.
During their visit that began at noon in Deheisha Camp, the European officials met Ahmad Muheisin, head of the Palestinian side of the twinning committee, and Muhammad Al-Lahham, a Palestinian lawmaker, and attended a reception at Al-Fineiq Hall.
Another meeting is scheduled to be held in Aida Refugee Camp, also in Bethlehem, where the guests will meet Palestinian lawmaker Issa Qaraqi and other activists in the camp to discuss a potential pairing between Aida and the French city Nogent.
European figures including Swiss MP to participate in Italian aid convoy to Gaza
BRUSSELS,
Swiss MP Joseph Zisyadis and other anti-siege European personalities declared their intention to participate in the "Hope" convoy traveling from Italy to the besieged Gaza Strip earlier next month to express their solidarity with the distressed Gaza people.
In a press statement, MP Zisyadis condemned the Israeli siege on Gaza as a shameful crime against humanity, calling for lifting it immediately.
He also urged the world's free people and human rights advocates to urgently act to end the suffering of the besieged Palestinians in Gaza.
For his part, Sameh Habib, the spokesman for the convoy's coordination committee, said that the convoy will be composed of about 100 trucks and ambulances loaded with medicines, clothing and needs for the handicapped and hundreds of orphans whose parents were killed during the last Israeli war on Gaza.
Habib invited journalists and media outlets to cover this important event and relay the real suffering of one and a half million Palestinians to the whole world.
Organizer of the convoy the European campaign to lift the siege is making concentrated efforts to send this magnificent convoy to Gaza in the context of its endeavors to break the Israeli siege on Gaza.
The European campaign said that the convoy would be composed of hundreds of trucks coming from different European cities to the Italian city of Milan and would be transported on a large cargo ship to the port of Alexandria in Egypt and then into Gaza. source
**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 things happen George Galloway to speak soon, will post about that when it happens
live at 2:00 PM Ridley says, Al Arish stadium is filled with aid for Palestine sent from around the world, but Egypt is not sending it in. They are calling on Egypt to start allowing aid into Gaza and to keep the Rafah border open
Gaza journalist looking for more interviews.
Various members of the convoy from England are being interviewed now. I see the Manchester van on television, Oh the ambulances are arriving, this is great!! All packed with aid, people are rejoicing, this is amazing, truly amazing, there are no words for what I’m seeing now. People are on top of the vehicles celebrating, waving Palestinian flags, people crying, over joyed, this is too much.
Children who filled shoe boxes for the children of Gaza, Oh this is something to see. Everyone is so emotional, horns honking, cheering and drums beating. So emotional. Every vehicle that comes into Gaza must remain in Gaza.
Just saying that some of the people not he convoy have relatives in Gaza and it’s the first time they will see their families in many years, so emotional
Muslim man form England being interviewed now, he’s emotional to see Palestine and set foot on his land. Flowers being given to him.
Massive celebration, over 20 trucks form Birmingham have arrived.
Live images from the Rafah crossing, huge gathering of people, beginning to clap, the first group has crossed over, Palestinian flags waving, hundreds of them, each group of the convoy consists of about 20 people, so far 20 are inside being greeted. Huge number of small Palestinian flags being waved by people gathered at the border.
A number of Palestinian officials also there. Just said it is the Libyan part of the convoy crossing into Gaza now, the British section not over border yet, stay tuned. Glasgow Scottish section arriving now at border, not inside yet
Just announced that all toys for the children were taken by the Egyptians, what a disgrace!!!! Looks like Israel controls not only America, but now Egypt as well! Imagine, stealing the toys for the children!! Not hard to imagine why Israel is the most hated country in the world today. No reason for this type of behaviour, toys are not weapons. However, they Israelis want to continue to see the children of Gaza suffer, but stripping any joy from their lives.
**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…
Ireland to Gaza, Here We Come!And a Remberance to the Native American Indians as well
Today I am proud of Ireland, and, dare I say England as well *grin* I just saw the latest report on the Television from our local news station covering the Tyrone lad who is on the convoy to Gaza. John Hurson and Barry McGuinness a couple of local lads from Dungannon organised people to donate, they even got someone to donate a lorry.
John left the North of Ireland on 13/02/09 headed to England to join up with the Viva Palestine convoy there. Today they are beginning to travel the length of Africa, before arriving in Egypt in about 2 weeks time. I have to say the news video I just saw, showing the massive response from people lining the streets in every country all along the way was breath taking! It will most likely take them extra time to arrive owing to the streets being lined with people all along the route cheering them on and slowing down the convoy. Truly amazing to see.Another thing that impressed me was the person who flew to London from New Orleans in the USA, upon arrival in London they will buy a truck, fill it with supplies for Gaza, and then join the convoy. This person knows what devastation is, they lived through Hurricane Katrina, now they are paying it forward with help to Gaza. God Bless them all!
I sincerely hope that Israel is seeing this display of support for Gaza, not from the convoy but the crowds lining the streets in each town the convoy passes through. Perhaps Israel will begin to see that they have no support what so ever, they have become nothing more than an evil aggressive rogue state.
Here’s the latest on John’s journey from the local Tyrone paper:
AN EDENDORK man's great Gaza humanitarian adventure set off on Friday bound for the Middle East with a lorry load of aid donated by the people of Tyrone and beyond. In fact the generous response was such that organisers John Hurson and Barry McGuinness had to stop accepting gifts because they could fit no more items into the lorry!
“The generosity has bowled me over and I know this, when I leave on Friday with everybody waving, I will bawl my eyes out!
“The magnitude of the journey hasn’t really hit me yet because there has been so much aid coming in. I just kept saying to people, ‘if only you could spend half an hour and see the heart that is in people’.
“They didn’t need to know what the politics are. They came with a heart to send something to the homeless people of Gaza And what generosity - a lorry donated to us by Rocwell, Strabane sending down 600 jerseys for kids, the Sligo County Board, Dungannon Swifts, Dungannon rugby - the list goes on.
“Over a thousand jerseys have been sent in. A couple of football clubs are meeting me in London to make a donation. Strabane gave me 600 full kits for kids. Gaza is going to look like Clones on a Saturday night!”
And just what inspired John to do this? The Native American Indians who sent aid to the Irish during the famine. Ok, now I’m bawling my eyes out as well John :)
“I am really motivated by a great story that took place during the famine. An Indian tribe heard about the famine and the whole nation walked hundreds of miles in order to send $710, a massive amount in those days, to help the needy in Ireland” http://www.tyronetimes.co.uk/2617/Next-stop-Gaza.4982486.jp
Below is a snippet from John’s blog:
From Tyrone To Gaza: 'We Will Not Look Away' On Friday 13th February, myself and my cousin will head off to Gaza with a lorry full of aid for some of the 60,000 people left homeless after the recent attacks by Israel.
We will be joining up with a convoy of 90 other vehicles in London, where we will leave from the embankment opposite the Houses Of Parliment, and then make our way to the ferry and hopefully 17 days later we will arrive at the border in Rafa. http://www.indymedia.ie/article/91006
This convoy is being led by George Galloway MP http://www.georgegalloway.com/ of the RESPECT http://www.respectrenewal.org/ and is organised by Viva Palestina. AT http://www.vivapalestina.org/ Hear what George says about the convoy below:
Additionally, acclaimed director Ken Loach, who directed “The Wind That Shakes the Barley” one of my favourite movies, will make a documentary on the Aid Convoy to help the estimated 60,000 people made homeless after the recent conflict in Gaza
Alright you wee muckers from up da North, If you would like to make a donation or sponsor a blanket for the next trip the lads make, please contact Barry McGuinness on 028 8772 9119 go on, you know you want to:)
IRISH SHIP TO GAZA WAS SABOTAGED BY ISRAEL. OUR SHIP WILL SAIL AFTER REPAIRS IN THE AUTUMN. WE SAIL UNTIL GAZA IS FREE!! PLEASE DONATE TO HELP US PAY FOR REPAIRS
