Apparently one solder has been killed. What a terrible shame that a hired thug would die protecting his country's right to deny everyday objects to normal people.
Egypt deports MP George Galloway By Tim Moynihan,
Press Association
Friday, 8 January 2010
George Galloway was deported from Cairo today despite wanting to return to Gaza to help members of a humanitarian convoy who have reportedly been arrested, a spokeswoman for the convoy said. Plain clothes police officers bundled the Respect MP on to a plane bound for London, said a spokeswoman for the Viva Palestina convoy.
"Mr Galloway had been trying to return to Rafah after news broke that seven of the convoy members are said to have been arrested," she said. The incident began after Mr Galloway and his colleague, Ron McKay, arrived at the Rafah crossing from Gaza to Egypt. "As soon as they emerged on to Egyptian soil, both men were forcibly pushed into a van, refused exit and told that they were leaving the country. They were then driven off in a police convoy."
The aid convoy of 550 people from 17 countries was caught up in violent scenes on Tuesday, which they blamed on "heavy-handed policing" of the group. The spokeswoman said 55 convoy members were injured and seven were arrested.
"Mr Galloway and Turkish MPs struck a deal with Egyptian authorities, part of which was that the seven detainees were released without charge. On the enforced drive to Cairo, news came through of the imminent arrest of the seven but, when Mr Galloway demanded to return to Rafah, permission was repeatedly denied."
A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: "We will continue to offer consular assistance to anyone who needs it."
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Sounds like they were really freaking out the Egyptian government. And no wonder. I'm sure there will be some sort of diplomatic battle over this, as treating a representative of parliament like that has to cause trouble, even if the Labour lackies in power don't want to, etiquette demands it...
This news also appears on BBC and the Guardian this morning (in N.A.). My concern is what this development will mean for future aid convoys.
After such mistreatment, I'll wager GG will be following through on his threat to Egypt to release the full contents of their letter to him. (The video appears in modern's "George vs Al Jazeera English!" thread.)
"I'm sure there will be some sort of diplomatic battle over this, as treating a representative of parliament like that has to cause trouble, even if the Labour lackies in power don't want to, etiquette demands it..."
I very much doubt it, what chance does mere etiqutte have when basic humanity & international law is apparently powerless in protecting the Palestinians. I half suspect it was the UK or US governments that "advised" that is would be a good idea to expel Galloway.
I'm quite intrigued by GG's subsequent comments that "there are other ways into Gaza", as this can only mean by Sea as he has stated that he would never go through Israel. Seeing as the next convey is the one with Hugo Chavez, does that mean that a small armada of South American ships, perhaps protected by a destroyer or two, will soon be sailing to the M.E. !? Let's hope so !!
re the etiquette though - I think the rules of state being tarnised probably is more important in Westminster than those pesky Palestinians. Tradition beats humanity every day...
Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2010 7:08 pm Post subject: George Galloway Interviewed in London After Being Deported..
George Galloway Interviewed in London After Being Deported from Egypt:
I really hope the Egyptian people can and will rise up against this dictatorship one day.
As for the next Viva Palestina, I think it is likely to be a flotilla based convoy as mentioned. If Venezuela do come on board - hopefully they can provide a convoy protection like the ones used for the Atlantic convoys during World War Two.
That way the Venezuelan Navy can protect the Viva Palestina convoy against any attack from the U-Boats...I mean Israeli Navy!
Nice little soundbite as he greeted the Press at Heathrow; "It's a badge of honour to be deported by a Dictatorship".
Re etiquette; correct me if I'm wrong, but there wasn't a peep out of our Government when GG was forced to spend a night in an Egyptian jail back in 2006.
It's funny how nearly every news network is picking up on this story of George's deportation, but not one jot about the convoy and it's humanitarian mission to Gaza.
Like George has said; if it was going to Darfur, it would be making front page news everywhere...
Israel bombed Gaza in late December, and struck again on Thursday of last week, killing four people in an attack on tunnels that bring vital supplies into Gaza.
The Egyptian authorities are planning to build a barrier blocking the Rafah crossing into Gaza. This move will tighten Israel’s grip on Gaza and make the situation even more difficult for the Palestinians. Despite the Egyptian government, the Viva Palestina aid convoy finally made it to the Gaza Strip on Wednesday of last week after a journey that lasted more than four weeks.
The convoy of over 100 vehicles and 500 volunteers faced a host of problems, including being attacked by Egyptian security forces after they refused to allow the convoy access to Gaza through the Rafah crossing. After the successful crossing Egypt deported George Galloway, MP and convoy leader, as soon as he stepped back on to Egyptian soil.
Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 10:41 pm Post subject: Turks planning Gaza ships ?
According to this pro-Israeli Site;
"DEBKAfile's sources disclose Erdogan is now working on a scheme to break the blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt on the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip. He recently approached Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez and South African president Jacob Zuma with a plan for each to organize aid ships for the Gaza Strip. Because the expeditions would be led by the two presidents, he reckons that Israel and Egypt would hesitate to deny them access to Gaza for fear of a mighty international dust-up."
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