[align=center]GALLOWAY CONDEMNS LANCASHIRE POLICE ACTION OVER GAZA AID CONVOY.
MP EXPRESSES GRAVE CONCERN OVER DAMAGE TO COMMUNITY RELATIONS[/align]
George Galloway MP, the leader of the 110 vehicle British aid convoy currently in Morroco and bound for Gaza, this afternoon spoke of his anger at the high profile Lancashire Constabulary police action which led to the arrest of nine innocent men who were bound to join the Viva Palestina convoy last Friday.
Six of the nine were released without charge some days ago and are now heading for Tunis in three vehicles laden with humanitarian supplies for the people of Gaza. But three more were detained in custody for almost a week before being released without charge this afternoon.
George Galloway condemned the timing of the arrests, the arrests themselves and the deliberate efforts of the police to create a story in the press the purposes of which appears to have been to discredit the aid convoy to Gaza. Viva Palestina reports that there was a drop of 80% in donations following the broadcast of the arrests and the police allegations on the BBC on Saturday afternoon.
"Nine innocent people were prevented by the police from joining our convoy with vital aid to meet the humanitarian crisis in Gaza," said George Galloway this afternoon. "The follow up action by the police, which has apparently included the strip-searching of an Imam and his wife in their own home in Blackburn, has gravely damaged their relations with the community whose trust they need to win. Anyone with any sense can see that it is in everyone's interest to encourage Britain's Muslim community to engage themselves in democratic politics. That is precisely what this convoy - and the huge political, and humanitarian effort throughout Britain's often alienated Muslim communities which lies behind it - is about.
"To arrest innocent men in such a provocative and hyped operation will achieve precisely the opposite of that engagement. The timing of the operation is seen locally as an attempt to smear and intimidate the Muslim community and I must say they seem to be right. The arrests were clearly deliberately timed for the eve of the departure of the convoy. Photographs of the high-profile snatch on the M65 were immediately fed to the press to maximise the newsworthiness of the smear that was being perpetrated on the convoy" said Galloway.
"I am writing to the Chief Constable of Lancashire to demand an explanation and will consult Viva Palestina's lawyers with a view to seeking compensation for the real financial and public relations damage we have suffered as a result. I will also be writing to the Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, to demand action against those who seem to have abused their power and authority as a police officers to produce this really damaging outcome."
George Galloway - From London to Gaza
Viva Palestina. The New Feature Documentary Film, by Fourman Films. Shot Edited and uploaded on Valentines Weekend 2009. Covering the Valentines Day London Departure of a massive convoy of trucks ambulances and millions in Humanitarian Aid all gathered by thousands of ordinary people from Great Britain in the past fortnight.
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part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoGRWkZFCMs
part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPNCNLDdGNs
part 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyszA7K8gCQ
part 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtHRv4s4W1A
part 5; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2yxSrMaA24
part 6: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUP3L4Fmt0w
part 7: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_R51Bgg3hE
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part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoGRWkZFCMs
part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPNCNLDdGNs
part 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyszA7K8gCQ
part 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtHRv4s4W1A
part 5; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2yxSrMaA24
part 6: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUP3L4Fmt0w
part 7: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_R51Bgg3hE
cheers Luke.
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[web]https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7903953.stm[/web]
At least they've published the story, but it's not on the front page so the chances of it being widely seen are pretty small.
At least they've published the story, but it's not on the front page so the chances of it being widely seen are pretty small.
[align=center]Convoy is nearing destination
February 21, 2009
thisisgloucestershire.co.uk[/align]
A group of volunteers from Gloucestershire are now a week and more than 2,500 miles into their trip to deliver aid to Gaza. Three vans from the county left London’s Hyde Park last Saturday as part of the national Viva Palestina convoy, organised and led by MP George Galloway. The 110-vehicle convoy, which is believed to be more than a mile long, was in the city of Fez in Morocco on Thursday morning, and is due to arrive in Annaba in Algeria by the end of today.
The Gloucester2Gaza team started out from the Friendship Café in Barton Street, Gloucester, before joining vans from across England on February 14. Imran Atcha, from the café, said: “I’ve been speaking to them on the phone and they’re doing fine. They have had a big official welcome in France and in Spain, and they had a police escort when they got to Morocco. They say there are people lining the streets cheering them on, so they’re really pleased.”
From Algeria, the convoy of trucks, lorries, ambulances and other vehicles will travel through Tunisia, Libya and Egypt. They are aiming to reach Rafah, on the Gaza border with Egypt, by March 3.
Imran said: “It’s a great honour to be associated with the convoy. Those who have gone feel very honoured. Lots of them have sacrificed their time, and there’s been so much generosity in the donations from Gloucester businesses and people. It’s a very constructive way of showing our support for Gaza.”
The Gloucester team are travelling in three vans, which have all been painted in bright colours and adorned with the Gloucester2Gaza logo. Among the items they are taking are 30 wheelchairs and 1,000 blankets, as well as crutches and clothes for children.
The official website of the campaign, vivapalestina.org, has regular updates on the convoy’s progress. It also includes videos, photos and blogs from members of the convoy, which are updated regularly. Respect Party MP George Galloway launched the campaign after Israel’s 19-month blockade of the Gaza strip broke out into violence between the country and Palestinian governing organisation Hamas.
The conflict lasted more than three weeks, and left more than 1,300 dead, including women and children. Protests were seen throughout the world calling for an immediate cease-fire. Following the cease-fire in January, a desperate call for aid was made, resulting in major campaigns launched by charities and individuals across the UK.
February 21, 2009
thisisgloucestershire.co.uk[/align]
A group of volunteers from Gloucestershire are now a week and more than 2,500 miles into their trip to deliver aid to Gaza. Three vans from the county left London’s Hyde Park last Saturday as part of the national Viva Palestina convoy, organised and led by MP George Galloway. The 110-vehicle convoy, which is believed to be more than a mile long, was in the city of Fez in Morocco on Thursday morning, and is due to arrive in Annaba in Algeria by the end of today.
The Gloucester2Gaza team started out from the Friendship Café in Barton Street, Gloucester, before joining vans from across England on February 14. Imran Atcha, from the café, said: “I’ve been speaking to them on the phone and they’re doing fine. They have had a big official welcome in France and in Spain, and they had a police escort when they got to Morocco. They say there are people lining the streets cheering them on, so they’re really pleased.”
From Algeria, the convoy of trucks, lorries, ambulances and other vehicles will travel through Tunisia, Libya and Egypt. They are aiming to reach Rafah, on the Gaza border with Egypt, by March 3.
Imran said: “It’s a great honour to be associated with the convoy. Those who have gone feel very honoured. Lots of them have sacrificed their time, and there’s been so much generosity in the donations from Gloucester businesses and people. It’s a very constructive way of showing our support for Gaza.”
The Gloucester team are travelling in three vans, which have all been painted in bright colours and adorned with the Gloucester2Gaza logo. Among the items they are taking are 30 wheelchairs and 1,000 blankets, as well as crutches and clothes for children.
The official website of the campaign, vivapalestina.org, has regular updates on the convoy’s progress. It also includes videos, photos and blogs from members of the convoy, which are updated regularly. Respect Party MP George Galloway launched the campaign after Israel’s 19-month blockade of the Gaza strip broke out into violence between the country and Palestinian governing organisation Hamas.
The conflict lasted more than three weeks, and left more than 1,300 dead, including women and children. Protests were seen throughout the world calling for an immediate cease-fire. Following the cease-fire in January, a desperate call for aid was made, resulting in major campaigns launched by charities and individuals across the UK.
[align=center]DELAYS AT THE BORDER THEN A GREAT WELCOME
by Farid Arada
(Manchester Viva Palestina)[/align]
After long delays at the border,our convoy has been greeted by thousands of Algerians from the border town of Maghnia. It is not known as to the reason for the delay, but I am told that the passport checks were done at a leisurly pace in an atmosphere of friendship and brotherhood. The Gaza convoy enjoyed a picnic in the beautiful sunshine whilst waiting for their passports.
As I am writing,they are filling up their vehicles with fuel on the house, courtesy of Algeria just outside Maghnia. The likely stop for the night will be the cities of Ein Timouchent or Tlemcen or a car park! In the morning,they will set off for Algiers,a journey which will take them most of the day.
I am told that the convoy is buzzing and the athmosphere and spirits are very high.
by Farid Arada
(Manchester Viva Palestina)[/align]
After long delays at the border,our convoy has been greeted by thousands of Algerians from the border town of Maghnia. It is not known as to the reason for the delay, but I am told that the passport checks were done at a leisurly pace in an atmosphere of friendship and brotherhood. The Gaza convoy enjoyed a picnic in the beautiful sunshine whilst waiting for their passports.
As I am writing,they are filling up their vehicles with fuel on the house, courtesy of Algeria just outside Maghnia. The likely stop for the night will be the cities of Ein Timouchent or Tlemcen or a car park! In the morning,they will set off for Algiers,a journey which will take them most of the day.
I am told that the convoy is buzzing and the athmosphere and spirits are very high.
[align=center]Needless Obstacles On The Road To Peace.
by George Galloway
Daily Record[/align]
MY Winnebago would nae go, go and so if your columnist is walking with a stoop, it's the result of nights spent sleeping in the front seat of car. I'm in Algeria, a land which had to sacrifice a million martyrs to overthrow French colonial rule and which knows a thing or two about occupation and resistance, which will account for the mass welcome by thousands of well-wishers on the route so far.
The border between Algeria and Morocco has been shut since 1994 and has been opened only twice during those long years. The first time was for my big red London bus headed for Baghdad, and the second for our 110-vehicle convoy now powering towards Gaza. Never thought of me as a diplomat, did you?
The reason for the freeze in the two countries' relations is the Western Sahara - the mineral-rich Atlantic coast territory, which Morocco absorbed upon the collapse of fascism in Spain and the consequent withdrawal from its former colonies.
But I don't get every diplomatic question right. The first thing the Moroccan authorities did on our arrival in Tangier was to strip our 300- strong crew of their Viva Palestina T-shirts on account of the fact that the map of our route imprinted on the back of our shirts depicted Morocco sans Sahara. Algeria supports the creation of a new country of the Sahara, over which the two states are at daggers drawn.
For our ships of the desert, it hasn't been plain sailing. Many of our vehicles are old and slow. Fan belts, tyres, batteries were, as in the case of my Winnebago, bought and donated by a well-wisher days before our departure and everything that can go wrong has done. My would-be charabanc now sits, possibly on bricks, in a poor area of Bordeaux. I never even got to sit in it.
After this, it will be Tunisia, Libya - where we will try to visit the British war graves meticulously kept there by the Libyans, despite the long years of hostility between the two countries - then, of course, Egypt. We'll see the pyramids along the Nile, where we'll be joined by a huge crowd from Britain, who could only make the last leg. The Rafah crossing point into Gaza is open this week for the first time in years, so things are looking good for a triumphal entry into Palestine around the end of the first week in March.
Last week, I told you about the high-profile police swoop on vehicles from Blackburn carrying aid for Gaza and headed for our convoy's departure from Hyde Park. Nine men were arrested under the anti-Terrorism Act. All nine of them have now been released without charge; wholly innocent men shamefully traduced by police and press to whom the dramatic video of the raid on the M65 was fed.
I said at the time that the police had better have a case against these men because, if not, we will certainly have a case against them and those who gullibly reported their version of events. We now have that case and my lawyers are on to it.
Anyone with half a brain would know that it's in everyone's interest to encourage young British Muslims into peaceful democratic political actions because apathy is not the only alternative. By smearing these men and their community in this way, the police, or whoever directed them, have set back community relations by years and made easier the job of the Islamist fanatics, who seek to lure these communities on to the rocks of separatism, extremism and violence.
George Galloway MP
by George Galloway
Daily Record[/align]
MY Winnebago would nae go, go and so if your columnist is walking with a stoop, it's the result of nights spent sleeping in the front seat of car. I'm in Algeria, a land which had to sacrifice a million martyrs to overthrow French colonial rule and which knows a thing or two about occupation and resistance, which will account for the mass welcome by thousands of well-wishers on the route so far.
The border between Algeria and Morocco has been shut since 1994 and has been opened only twice during those long years. The first time was for my big red London bus headed for Baghdad, and the second for our 110-vehicle convoy now powering towards Gaza. Never thought of me as a diplomat, did you?
The reason for the freeze in the two countries' relations is the Western Sahara - the mineral-rich Atlantic coast territory, which Morocco absorbed upon the collapse of fascism in Spain and the consequent withdrawal from its former colonies.
But I don't get every diplomatic question right. The first thing the Moroccan authorities did on our arrival in Tangier was to strip our 300- strong crew of their Viva Palestina T-shirts on account of the fact that the map of our route imprinted on the back of our shirts depicted Morocco sans Sahara. Algeria supports the creation of a new country of the Sahara, over which the two states are at daggers drawn.
For our ships of the desert, it hasn't been plain sailing. Many of our vehicles are old and slow. Fan belts, tyres, batteries were, as in the case of my Winnebago, bought and donated by a well-wisher days before our departure and everything that can go wrong has done. My would-be charabanc now sits, possibly on bricks, in a poor area of Bordeaux. I never even got to sit in it.
After this, it will be Tunisia, Libya - where we will try to visit the British war graves meticulously kept there by the Libyans, despite the long years of hostility between the two countries - then, of course, Egypt. We'll see the pyramids along the Nile, where we'll be joined by a huge crowd from Britain, who could only make the last leg. The Rafah crossing point into Gaza is open this week for the first time in years, so things are looking good for a triumphal entry into Palestine around the end of the first week in March.
Last week, I told you about the high-profile police swoop on vehicles from Blackburn carrying aid for Gaza and headed for our convoy's departure from Hyde Park. Nine men were arrested under the anti-Terrorism Act. All nine of them have now been released without charge; wholly innocent men shamefully traduced by police and press to whom the dramatic video of the raid on the M65 was fed.
I said at the time that the police had better have a case against these men because, if not, we will certainly have a case against them and those who gullibly reported their version of events. We now have that case and my lawyers are on to it.
Anyone with half a brain would know that it's in everyone's interest to encourage young British Muslims into peaceful democratic political actions because apathy is not the only alternative. By smearing these men and their community in this way, the police, or whoever directed them, have set back community relations by years and made easier the job of the Islamist fanatics, who seek to lure these communities on to the rocks of separatism, extremism and violence.
George Galloway MP
Convoy enjoys Algerian hospitality and a well-deserved rest.
I have just spoken to the reporter from the Elchourouk daily who has been with the convoy since it crossed the borders, in addition to speaking to our lads.
After yesterday's long drive,the group arrived early this morning near Algiers.The group was split in two, one going to Tipaza and the other one going to Zeralda.
Both coastal locations are famous for their beauty,historical and tourist attractions and facilities.I remember spending a holiday as a teenager in Zeralda which I will not forget.
They were put up in hotels and the food apparently is yum yum. Then they were taken this afternoon to the historical roman ruins of Tipaza and shown around by tourist guides.
George rejoined the convoy today and sorted out some 'organisational issues'. He also met with some great historical figures from the Algerian revolution such as Jamila Bouhired. He was also met by the Palestinian ambassador in Algeria and the foreign minister.
I could sense from the voices of our lads (can't get hold of the ladies), that they have never experienced anything like this before, they cannot rest with all the jubilation, support and friendship shown by the Algerian people. They seemed a lot more relaxed today - ready for their departure tomorrow heading for the border towns of Annaba or Tebessa.
update by Farid Arada and others
I have just spoken to the reporter from the Elchourouk daily who has been with the convoy since it crossed the borders, in addition to speaking to our lads.
After yesterday's long drive,the group arrived early this morning near Algiers.The group was split in two, one going to Tipaza and the other one going to Zeralda.
Both coastal locations are famous for their beauty,historical and tourist attractions and facilities.I remember spending a holiday as a teenager in Zeralda which I will not forget.
They were put up in hotels and the food apparently is yum yum. Then they were taken this afternoon to the historical roman ruins of Tipaza and shown around by tourist guides.
George rejoined the convoy today and sorted out some 'organisational issues'. He also met with some great historical figures from the Algerian revolution such as Jamila Bouhired. He was also met by the Palestinian ambassador in Algeria and the foreign minister.
I could sense from the voices of our lads (can't get hold of the ladies), that they have never experienced anything like this before, they cannot rest with all the jubilation, support and friendship shown by the Algerian people. They seemed a lot more relaxed today - ready for their departure tomorrow heading for the border towns of Annaba or Tebessa.
update by Farid Arada and others
The Mark Steel article The Independent didn't publish
No column in The Independent again this morning, as they weren't overly keen on the issue I was writing about, which is connected to the Viva Palestina convoy of trucks, that left London on February 14th to deliver food and medicine to Gaza.
The convoy was financed by collections throughout the country, which were enough to fund 110 vehicles on a journey to across the channel, through France, Spain, across North Africa and hopefully through Egypt into Gaza. This, you might imagine, is the sort of charitable venture that would be publicised across the media as a chirpy feelgood tale, perhaps involving a regular feature on Blue Peter and at some point resulting in Cat Deeley squealing 'The response has been AMAZING, you've been ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC'.
But in the tradition that anyone's permitted to carry out crazy wacky acts as long as it involves charity, the police decided to contribute to the event with a spectacular lark. Early in the morning, on the day the convoy left, they arrested nine people on the M65 under the Terrorism Act, who were on their way to Hyde Park, where the journey was due to begin. They blocked off an entire section of motorway, and grabbed their suspects with what was described in the local newspaper as "Dozens of police cars, vans, 4x4 vehicles and a helicopter."
The first I knew of this episode was from that afternoon's BBC news, on which it was the main item. Which is as you might expect, with nine suspected terrorists being pounced on by an operation that included a helicopter. To be fair, the BBC journalists didn't have to work too hard to find the story, as the police informed them in advance, and in addition, by a splendid coincidence, a press photographer happened to be on hand to record this successful swoop.
Maybe this is how the police plan to fund themselves from now on. They'll follow the practice of celebrities and stage their events so they can be sold to OK and Hello. Major criminals will find themselves lying on the floor in handcuffs, while a photographer claps his hands and calls out "That's lovely, now can we do the arrest one more time while the Inspector stands just behind kissing his wife, and then have a profile of the murderer's assistant on a sheepskin rug in front of a coal fire."
The news reported that the terrorists were on the way to join the Viva Palestina convoy, which straight away seemed a little peculiar. Why would terrorists be on the way to join such an event? What would they be planning to attack? The convoy of trucks heading for Gaza? And what sort of Jihadist terrorist would say "I know how we'll move around without being noticed - we'll drive down the motorway in three vans with Palestinian flags flapping from the windows and a f**king great 'Viva Palestina' logo painted on the side."
The story was reported in almost every Sunday paper, with headlines such as “Galloway’s Aid Convoy linked to three terror suspects”, in the Mail on Sunday. And they had the effect of reducing contributions to the charity by eighty per cent, as the astute might have been able to predict. But the nine men, six from Blackburn and three from Burnley, were questioned, and the lorries, which were full of children's toys, were searched. And presumably the head of the anti-terrorist squad stood there throughout saying "Check that Bratz for semtex." By the next morning six were released without any charges, and a few days later the other three were released as well, the police appearing to be duly embarrassed to the extent they've paid the fares so the wrongly arrested men could catch up with the convoy, which by now was moving into Algeria.
The local councillor for the arrested men in Burnley is Wajid Khan, described how they were “Well respected men in the community, seen in a positive light.”
Presumably then, all the broadcasters and newspapers who considered it a major story that the police had successfully pulled off this anti-terrorist operation will now make it an equally prominent story that the arrests had no validity whatsoever. Apart from anything else there must be many people who saw that story, and are wondering why they've heard nothing about it since, assuming a bunch of terrorists have escaped and are running round on the loose. They may even indulge in some investigative work, which will show that three of the arrested men are defence witnesses in a separate trial, which may, or may not be a coincidence.
So you can't help be suspicious that the arrest of people volunteering for charity may be connected to them being Muslims, and being associated with Palestine. If not it's going to mean Comic Relief this year will be chaos, with Richard Hammond and Lenny Henry spending the whole evening making announcements such as "Now we're going to meet the wonderful children of St. Josephs junior school in Kidderminster, who've raised two hundred and sixty-four pounds with a sponsored cartwheel race. So here's Alan Titchmarsh to speak to them from their high security cell in Belmarsh."
First Published on 26th February at the Mark Steel blog at https://www.marksteelinfo.com:80/pt/blog/
No column in The Independent again this morning, as they weren't overly keen on the issue I was writing about, which is connected to the Viva Palestina convoy of trucks, that left London on February 14th to deliver food and medicine to Gaza.
The convoy was financed by collections throughout the country, which were enough to fund 110 vehicles on a journey to across the channel, through France, Spain, across North Africa and hopefully through Egypt into Gaza. This, you might imagine, is the sort of charitable venture that would be publicised across the media as a chirpy feelgood tale, perhaps involving a regular feature on Blue Peter and at some point resulting in Cat Deeley squealing 'The response has been AMAZING, you've been ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC'.
But in the tradition that anyone's permitted to carry out crazy wacky acts as long as it involves charity, the police decided to contribute to the event with a spectacular lark. Early in the morning, on the day the convoy left, they arrested nine people on the M65 under the Terrorism Act, who were on their way to Hyde Park, where the journey was due to begin. They blocked off an entire section of motorway, and grabbed their suspects with what was described in the local newspaper as "Dozens of police cars, vans, 4x4 vehicles and a helicopter."
The first I knew of this episode was from that afternoon's BBC news, on which it was the main item. Which is as you might expect, with nine suspected terrorists being pounced on by an operation that included a helicopter. To be fair, the BBC journalists didn't have to work too hard to find the story, as the police informed them in advance, and in addition, by a splendid coincidence, a press photographer happened to be on hand to record this successful swoop.
Maybe this is how the police plan to fund themselves from now on. They'll follow the practice of celebrities and stage their events so they can be sold to OK and Hello. Major criminals will find themselves lying on the floor in handcuffs, while a photographer claps his hands and calls out "That's lovely, now can we do the arrest one more time while the Inspector stands just behind kissing his wife, and then have a profile of the murderer's assistant on a sheepskin rug in front of a coal fire."
The news reported that the terrorists were on the way to join the Viva Palestina convoy, which straight away seemed a little peculiar. Why would terrorists be on the way to join such an event? What would they be planning to attack? The convoy of trucks heading for Gaza? And what sort of Jihadist terrorist would say "I know how we'll move around without being noticed - we'll drive down the motorway in three vans with Palestinian flags flapping from the windows and a f**king great 'Viva Palestina' logo painted on the side."
The story was reported in almost every Sunday paper, with headlines such as “Galloway’s Aid Convoy linked to three terror suspects”, in the Mail on Sunday. And they had the effect of reducing contributions to the charity by eighty per cent, as the astute might have been able to predict. But the nine men, six from Blackburn and three from Burnley, were questioned, and the lorries, which were full of children's toys, were searched. And presumably the head of the anti-terrorist squad stood there throughout saying "Check that Bratz for semtex." By the next morning six were released without any charges, and a few days later the other three were released as well, the police appearing to be duly embarrassed to the extent they've paid the fares so the wrongly arrested men could catch up with the convoy, which by now was moving into Algeria.
The local councillor for the arrested men in Burnley is Wajid Khan, described how they were “Well respected men in the community, seen in a positive light.”
Presumably then, all the broadcasters and newspapers who considered it a major story that the police had successfully pulled off this anti-terrorist operation will now make it an equally prominent story that the arrests had no validity whatsoever. Apart from anything else there must be many people who saw that story, and are wondering why they've heard nothing about it since, assuming a bunch of terrorists have escaped and are running round on the loose. They may even indulge in some investigative work, which will show that three of the arrested men are defence witnesses in a separate trial, which may, or may not be a coincidence.
So you can't help be suspicious that the arrest of people volunteering for charity may be connected to them being Muslims, and being associated with Palestine. If not it's going to mean Comic Relief this year will be chaos, with Richard Hammond and Lenny Henry spending the whole evening making announcements such as "Now we're going to meet the wonderful children of St. Josephs junior school in Kidderminster, who've raised two hundred and sixty-four pounds with a sponsored cartwheel race. So here's Alan Titchmarsh to speak to them from their high security cell in Belmarsh."
First Published on 26th February at the Mark Steel blog at https://www.marksteelinfo.com:80/pt/blog/
EGYPT WILL ALLOW CONVOY INTO GAZA
They came in their thousands in the Green Public square of Tripoli attending a big rally to welcome the Viva Palestina humanitarian Gaza convoy. This is the first of many planned in Libya.
Ambassadors, dignitaries, representatives from the Gadaffi Foundation as well as the children of Palestine spoke of the horrors and the tragedy of Gaza.
Gift bags containing caps, T-Shirts, books were given to members of the convoy as a gesture of thanks and admiration for their efforts to get the aid to the destitute people of Gaza.
It was announced at the rally, to the cheers of all the people and to the relief of our convoy members, that Egypt has agreed to let the convoy through to Gaza. It will be one less matter to worry about and they need now only concentrate on the noble goal they set out to achieve when their vehicles rolled from the UK on the 14th February.
Up to 100 Libyan trucks are joining the convoy starting with the Tripoli contingent today - including ambulances and a fire engine. The Gaddafi International Charity and Development Foundation (GICDF) is sending a considerable quantity of medical aid.
After drinks and sandwiches, they headed for the city of Misrata passing with possibly a stop in Khums.
Ireland To Gaza
Follow John and Greg's story as they pilot a truck loaded with humanitarian aid from County Tyrone, Ireland to Gaza, Palestine. They undertook this epic journey to show the world that Ireland stands shoulder to shoulder with the suffering people of Palestine.
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They came in their thousands in the Green Public square of Tripoli attending a big rally to welcome the Viva Palestina humanitarian Gaza convoy. This is the first of many planned in Libya.
Ambassadors, dignitaries, representatives from the Gadaffi Foundation as well as the children of Palestine spoke of the horrors and the tragedy of Gaza.
Gift bags containing caps, T-Shirts, books were given to members of the convoy as a gesture of thanks and admiration for their efforts to get the aid to the destitute people of Gaza.
It was announced at the rally, to the cheers of all the people and to the relief of our convoy members, that Egypt has agreed to let the convoy through to Gaza. It will be one less matter to worry about and they need now only concentrate on the noble goal they set out to achieve when their vehicles rolled from the UK on the 14th February.
Up to 100 Libyan trucks are joining the convoy starting with the Tripoli contingent today - including ambulances and a fire engine. The Gaddafi International Charity and Development Foundation (GICDF) is sending a considerable quantity of medical aid.
After drinks and sandwiches, they headed for the city of Misrata passing with possibly a stop in Khums.
Ireland To Gaza
Follow John and Greg's story as they pilot a truck loaded with humanitarian aid from County Tyrone, Ireland to Gaza, Palestine. They undertook this epic journey to show the world that Ireland stands shoulder to shoulder with the suffering people of Palestine.
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