BEIRUT: It was a typically cold London day in January earlier this year when, in front of thousands of people demonstrating against the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip, British MP George Galloway announced a convoy of aid would be travelling from London to Gaza under the banner "Viva Palestina."
Almost a year later and after two successful convoys, 86 vehicles of all shapes and sizes are currently making their way through Turkey, hoping to deliver humanitarian aid from the British public to the population of the Gaza Strip.
The first Viva Palestina convoy made the journey in March this year, taking a route through North Africa. By its end, the current convoy dubbed "Return to Gaza," will have travelled by land through Europe, crossing the Mediterranean by ferry to Greece. From there it makes its way through Turkey, Syria, Jordan, finally entering Gaza at the Rafah border crossing in Egypt. A second convoy departed from the US on July 4 this year, flying into Cairo to also cross in Rafah.
Viva Palestina organizers aim to highlight the blockade's damaging effect, while delivering much-needed aid to Gazans.
"The people of Gaza are dying because of a siege imposed for no other reason than that, in a free and fair election, they voted for a party that the big powers and the Israelis didn't like. We think that's immoral, so if our government will not do something about it, we will," said Galloway, founder of the campaign.
Following the election of Hamas in 2006, Israel imposed a blockade on Gaza. Only basic humanitarian supplies were allowed to enter the territory, causing a "humanitarian catastrophe" in the words of commissioner general of UNRWA, Karen Abu Zayd. This blockade was tightened following the Israeli invasion in December last year.
The convoy aims to cross into Gaza through the Rafah crossing with Egypt on December 27, the one year anniversary of "Operation Cast Lead." The Israeli military operation, which began with air strikes, caused the death of over 1,400 Palestinians, most of whom were civilians. 13 Israelis were killed during the conflict, including three civilians.
Approximately 260 members of the British public departed with the convoy on December 3, among the volunteers are hairdressers, mechanics, chefs, unemployed and retired, with many more joining along the way.
"We stayed in our cars and tents in car parks, we had a night on a boat and we slept in a sports stadium, who knows where we will stay next," said Joti Brar, a web producer from the United Kingdom taking part in the convoy.
Joti, who decided to take part in the convoy at the last minute, says she was surprised at the generosity of the general public when fundraising for her trip.
"It wasn't only the amount people were giving, what amazed me was the kind of people who were willing to give - non-political people, people who you would never expect. I think a lot of people in Britain have been touched by what happened to the Palestinians, and are very pleased to know they can do something," she said.
The name "Viva Palestina" was inspired by the British "Aid to Spain" movement of the 1930s, where labor organizations sent medical supplies and personnel to Republicans fighting in the Spanish Civil War.
All those taking part have spent the past few weeks fundraising for the voyage, relying on donations from well-wishers to pay for the supplies they have taken with them.
"We brought all sorts of things, mostly medicine and medical supplies. Then there's blankets, clothes, toys for children, pens and pencils. We have brought as much as we can fit into the vehicles. Hopefully what we've brought is things that are useful," said Joti.
Organizers have emphasized that, more than just delivering supplies, the convoy aims to show solidarity with the people of Gaza. On the day of its departure, Galloway spoke of the convoy's "symbolic" and "totemic" value, designed to "inspire public opinion to demand an end to the siege."
However, it is not only public opinion the convoy aims to inspire, says Galloway, but those taking part.
"The chances are that the people taking part have a life changing experience. They go to the Gaza Strip, they see the situation, and they are determined to come back. That is what happened to me. In 1977 I visited Lebanon for the first time, I went to the Palestinian camps there and 35 years later I'm still involved."
There are worries among volunteers as to whether the Egyptian government will allow the convoy to pass into Gaza. Both previous convoys faced problems entering the territory, with the US contingent having to wait 10 days before being allowed to enter.
Organizers and participants alike say they will not return home until they are given permission to deliver the aid.
"We will stay at the border until we are allowed in. The fact that we have come this far shows we are committed," insisted Joti.
Galloway echoed that sentiment, urging the Egyptian government to allow them entry.
"I hope they have no problems. I think it would be a big mistake for the Egyptian government to divert attention from where it should be: on Israel, on the anniversary of its infamous attacks on the Gaza Strip. Who knows, but one lives in hope."
As the third Viva Palestina convoy nears its destination, plans are already afoot for several more.
"Next year we will bring a Viva Palestina Hugo Chavez convoy from Venezuela, maybe one from Iran which we are currently discussing. And people from other countries such as Australia and South Africa are also asking if they can get involved," said Galloway.
Follow Richard Hall on Twitter: www.twitter.com/RHallDailyStar
Lauren Booth in Gaza in 2008:
http://keeptonyblairforpm.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/lauren_saidshelvesemptygaza.jpg
http://www.hurryupharry.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/booth2.jpg
Photos in Gaza last month: http://www.paltoday.com/arabic/News-64161.html tell an entirely different version than the one in this blog.
If the Gazans had wanted food instead of weapons they might have utilized the millions of dollars of greenhouses Israel left behind: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_n7RltmTdk-g/SYZtN-kJfKI/AAAAAAAAHu4/o0Wq5Vaomo4/s400/Gaza+hothouses+under+the+Jews.jpg
Instead the greenhouses were immediately destroyed.
If these so-called activists/humanitarians actually cared about starving people they would go to Darfur or the Congo. Instead, the trendiness of being anti-Israel is too much to resist for them.
As for your suggestion for a convoy to Congo or Darfur, it could be that one hasn't been organized yet because these places are not trendy enough, or it could be that these countries are in the midst of civil war.
The Quartet (that's the USA, Russia, the EU, and the UN) all decided to embargo Gaza after Hamas refused to accept recognition of Israel, adherence to past agreements, and commitment to peace. Even if Israel opened the borders, none of those countries would still trade with them.
The international community has spoken. Gazastan is a pariah state. Until they (and no one else) get their act together, all the publicity stunts in the world won't change anything.
"Russia urges Israel to end the blockade on the Gaza Strip and to meet its obligations under a United Nations resolution adopted earlier this year, Moscow's deputy envoy to the United Nations said on Wednesday."
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20091014/156470180.html
----
"JERUSALEM (AFP) — The European Union is increasing pressure on Israel to end its nine-month old blockade of the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip in a bid to prevent a humanitarian crisis, an Israeli official said on Thursday."
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jrjS5jRjWihdCAVOU1BdJrTUmMDg
---
"United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is calling on Israel to end the blockade of Gaza and facilitate freedom of movement for Palestinians in the West Bank."
http://www.unmultimedia.org/radio/english/detail/85838.html
That would seem to imply that these nations don't mind Israel *restricting access,* but they don't want a total closing of the borders.
So on the one hand, the Quartet (and I) agree that a humanitarian crisis should be avoided. But they also want Hamas to be pressured and isolated, so they don't disagree with what Israel is doing in principle. Just that they are taking it too far. Do you dispute this?
The sooner you get that, the sooner you can start a "constructive" dialogue.
You are a part of the problem and not the solution to borrow a trite phrase.
The world has spoken.
Here are a few links for anyone who wishes to learn more about the blockade.
Gaza under blockade: BBC News
“UN agencies still consider between half and two-thirds of Gazans food insecure'.
Half the 1.5m population rely on the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, Unrwa, for their staple foods..."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7545636.stm
Statement by Humanitarian Organisations, NGOs and UN Organisations on the Second Anniversary of the Gaza Blockade
“We, United Nations and non-governmental humanitarian organisations, express deepening concern over Israel’s continued blockade of the Gaza Strip which has now been in force for two years.
The amount of goods allowed into Gaza under the blockade is one quarter of the pre- blockade flow. Eight out of every ten truckloads contains food but even that is restricted to a mere 18 food items. Even clothes and shoes, toys and school books are routinely prohibited.”
http://www.un.org/unrwa/news/releases/pr-2009/jer_17jun09.html
Israeli blockade causes water crisis in Gaza
http://hub.witness.org/en/upload/israels-blockade-causes-water-crisis-gaza-14-sept-09
Israel's Gaza blockade crippling reconstruction
“A leaked UN report has warned that Israel's continued economic blockade of Gaza and lengthy delays in delivering humanitarian aid are "devastating livelihoods" and causing gradual "de-development".
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/sep/18/israel-gaza-blockade-reconstruction
Where is their convoy?