Since June 2007 Gaza has been under a crippling blockade with few essential goods making it through. Now an aid convoy of 250 trucks and ambulances is attempting to reach the Strip to deliver much needed supplies. But a bureaucratic argument with Egypt is holding it back in Aqaba in southwest Jordan. Al Jazeera's Clayton Swisher reports.
It's Christmas morning here, but we are not in Egypt as we expected, but in a car park in Aqaba. After lulling (some of us) into believing we could pass, the Egyptain authorities told the Ferry Captain that we would NOT be allowed to disembark on the Eyptian side.
They have given us 3 options:
1. We leave the aid here for the UN to deliver and go home.
2 We MAY go across as foot passengers but no aid can be carried, and even then we won't be allowed to Rafah.
3. We go by boat to Al Arish, but still not to Gaza.
All ludicrous suggestions. We have already travelled over 3,000 miles, WE ARE NOT TURNING BACK!
Now I know it's Christmas Day and all, but as soon as you get a minute PLEASE e-mail, phone, fax the Egyptian Embassy, get in touch with your MP and local media too.
They have given us 3 options:
1. We leave the aid here for the UN to deliver and go home.
2 We MAY go across as foot passengers but no aid can be carried, and even then we won't be allowed to Rafah.
3. We go by boat to Al Arish, but still not to Gaza.
All ludicrous suggestions. We have already travelled over 3,000 miles, WE ARE NOT TURNING BACK!
Now I know it's Christmas Day and all, but as soon as you get a minute PLEASE e-mail, phone, fax the Egyptian Embassy, get in touch with your MP and local media too.
Media and MP contacts here
Contact the Egyptian Consulate in London
No. 2 Lowndes St. London, SW1X 9ET
Tel: 020 7235 9777 – Fax:020 7235 5684
consulate.london@mfa.gov.eg
Also eg.emb_london@mfa.gov.eg
Contact the Egyptian Consulate in London
No. 2 Lowndes St. London, SW1X 9ET
Tel: 020 7235 9777 – Fax:020 7235 5684
consulate.london@mfa.gov.eg
Also eg.emb_london@mfa.gov.eg
Interview about travelling with different cultures
The night before the convoy leaves for Jordan, D reflects upon traveling with devout Muslims while being an Atheist herself.
Day Ten and the Swansea women are in Turkey
Filistin'e Yola Çık by insaniyardim2003
Ingrid, D, Joti and Janet have made it safely into Turkey.The current convoy of 80 will be joined by Malaysian, Turkish, US and other contingents, to make a total of 200 vehicles plus 450 people heading to break the siege of Gaza with humanitarian aid!
Sunday, 6 December 2009 -Route of Convoy
The convoy sets off from London today and once across Europe, Greece, Turkey to come in from the North through Syria to Egypt and finally Gaza. It is going to be bitterly cold so they will need all the support they can get.We aim to arrive in Gaza on 27th December - one year on from the start of the bombardment that killed so many.
Friday, 4 December 2009 - Swansea humanitarian aid convoy leaves for Gaza.
3 women from Swansea and another one from London join a convoy traveling to Gaza. The Swansea women have raised the funds to purchase a van for disabled people withwheelchairs, aid and useful items.
The Lord Mayor of Swansea Alan Lloyd saw them off from the Guildhall on December 5th 2009.
Follow their progress on http://www.swanseapalestine.org
