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Gaza group for Syria detour
A GROUP of Londonderry men carrying humanitarian and medical supplies to Palestine are now heading to the Syrian port of Latakia to sail from there to the Egyptian port of El Arish, and then to Gaza.
The men have been forced to retrace their steps after the Egyptian Government barred them entry to Egypt from the Jordanian port of Aqaba.
The Viva-Palestina convoy was stranded in Aqaba for five days over Christmas despite the Egyptian Government's promise that they would be allowed entry provided they do take part in any political demonstration in Palestine.
Reports from Aqaba in Jordan - where the huge Viva Palestina convoy was stalled - suggested the Egyptian authorities have removed toys, educational supplies and any items which are not classed as medical supplies from some ambulances.
A number of the group's colleagues on the Viva Palestina convoy mounted a hunger strike in protest at the Egyptian government's refusal to allow the convoy entry onto its soil.
Correspondence from Hosni Mubarak's Egyptian Embassy in Dublin has stated that the men would be allowed through on condition that no political demonstration takes place.
The group are set to join thousands of humanitarian activists in Palestine this New Year for a huge protest against the treatment of the people of Gaza by Israel.
Jonathan Crockett, Danny Doyle, Eddie McBride, Derek McChrystal and Eanna O'Donaghaile now hope to make the circuitous trip to Gaza in time for December 31 and "a non-violent march from northern Gaza to the Erez-Israeli border."
The men - travelling in a convoy of 150 vehicles carrying 500 people from all over the world - had petitioned the Egyptian embassies in London and Dublin to let them through.
On Sunday the Sentinel learned of Egypt's promise to allow the men through on condition that they do so only as part of an apolitical humanitarian convoy.
A letter from the Egyptian Ambassador's office stated: "The Embassy has the pleasure to inform you that the Egyptian authorities have decided to let the supplies and aid convoy headed by the British Parliamentarian George Galloway to enter into Gaza on the date that they have requested namely on the 27th of December.
"The Egyptian decision was based upon the understanding that the convoy carries essential and substantial humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people in Gaza and that no political demonstrations would be allowed.
"Your heartfelt sympathy and solidarity with the Palestinian people and their just cause is highly appreciated and we would like to assure you that both the Egyptian Government and people will always uphold the best interests of our Palestinian brothers."
The Respect MP and one time Celebrity Big Brother contestant George Galloway has been pivotal in trying to negotiate the group's safe passage.
Agreement came after a Turkish mediator reached a deal with the Egyptian consul in Jordan's Red Sea port of Aqaba.
Time is now running out for the men to make their arrival for the Gaza Freedom March - a protest to mark the deaths of 1,400 Palestinians - killed by Israel's bombardment of the Gaza strip one year ago.
Participants in the protest will include Pullitzer Prize-winning author Alice Walker, leading US legal advocate Michael Ratner.
High profile critics of Israel's actions in Gaza - Gore Vidal, Noam Chomsky, John Pilger and Naomi Klein - are all backing the event.
In a letter to the Londonderry Sentinel dispatched from Aqaba the men stated: "After 23 days on the road, we have come to a halt. We now sit at the mouth of the Red Sea, across the way you can see the bright lights of Israel and to the left lies our next destination Egypt.
"Up until three days ago, we had successfully travelled through Europe into Asia, without accident or incident.
"Despite inevitable differences, the five of us have always a shared, hardened objective - to deliver this ambulance to the people of Gaza, Palestine.
"This is still our objective and we hope to complete it. Our mission will be deemed a failure otherwise.
"As you may already be aware, the Egyptian government under instruction from the Israelis have stopped us in our tracks.
"They have told us that we are indeed 'welcome' in Rafah but they have cut off the means by which we will get there.
"At the moment, we are staying outside a mosque with the other 500 viva palestina participants.
"As the situation stands, Egypt will only accept humanitarian aid if it is co-ordinated by Israel.
"Our line on this, as well as Viva Palestina, is that only we will hand over the aid to the sovereign people of Gaza.
"I'm sure you will agree with this. The Egyptians are currently considering this proposal and we await a response through our mediator George Galloway."
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Weather for Londonderry
Sunday 27 May 2012
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Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: North east
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Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
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