Viva Palestina Convoy Members Prepare for Hunger Strike
Members of the Viva Palestina
international aid convoy to Gaza will begin a hunger strike at 11.25 am tomorrow
(27th) in protest at the Egyptian government's refusal to allow the
convoy entry onto its soil.
Diplomatic negotiations are also taking place
between the Turkish and Egyptian governments over the convoy's entry to Egypt.
IHH, Turkey's main humanitarian aid agency, has 63 vehicles travelling on the
convoy.
The Syrian government has also provided aid and
vehicles, as has the government of Malaysia. More than 400 people from 17
countries are travelling on the 150 vehicle convoy, which is taking medical,
humanitarian and educational aid to Gaza.
The convoy departed London on 6 December and have
travelled nearly 3,000 miles across Europe and the Middle East. However, the
convoy and its cargo of aid is now stopped in the Jordanian port town of Aqaba,
having been denied entry into Egypt.
British MP, George Galloway, who is travelling with the convoy, said: "Israel has kept Gaza under
siege for three-and-half years against international law. It has not allowed aid
or rebuilding materials in following its attack on Gaza earlier this year. Our
convoy is determined to break the siege and take in urgently needed supplies
Spirits are high in our camp in Aqaba, and we are going nowhere except to
Gaza."
It was at 11.25 am on December 27 2008, that
Israel dropped its first bombs on the besieged population of Gaza. Three weeks
later, following a sustained air, land and sea assault, more than 1,400
Palestinians had been killed.
The Viva Palestina hunger strikers will consume
only liquids until the convoy is allowed entry into Egypt.
Convoy members will also mark the first
anniversary of the beginning of Israel's Operation Cast Lead by holding a march
through Aqaba, jointly with the Jordanians. In the evening, more than 1,400
candles will be lit for a vigil.
The convoy has been jointly organised by the
charity Viva Palestina and the Palestine Solidarity
Campaign, the UK's largest organisation campaigning for solidarity with
the Palestinian people.
For more information on Viva Palestina and
updates visit http://www.vivapalestina.org
Press information from Alice Howard on Tel:
07944 512 469 or via email:
alice@vivapalestina.org
December 26, 2009
Aqaba, Jordan
The Egyptians have notified the Turkish Government that they do not consider the Viva Palestinian convoy to be on a humanitarian mission but a political one and will not permit the convoy to board the Aqaba ferry to Egypt. They are saying this despite the fact that we are carrying hundreds of tons of medical aid and equipment. The Egyptians are trying to have it both ways, they say we can enter Egypt but only through Al Arish, a totally impractical route, but there will be no guarantee that the convoy would be permitted to proceed to Gaza. The convoy leadership has rejected this as an insincere offer and will contiue with the standoff in Aqaba.
Convoy participants are determined as ever to complete their relief mission to Gaza. The Turks, the Brits, the Americans and all the other participants from around the world are unified and spirits are high.
Ralph G. Loeffler
International Action Center
