Now its been known for many months that in order to get to Gaza, Syria would be one of the countries we'd have to cross through. But of course with everything that's been going on with Syria that you've been reading on the news it seemed risky to be going through there. Well I'm just gonna talk about a few facts.
One is that if you're going on a convoy to Gaza, there's already a huge risk there. In previous convoys they had some police in one country beat people in a confined space and arrested them, Israel was bombing close to where they were staying at, and let's not forget you're driving how many thousands of miles into different countries and I'm telling you now from crazy truckers I've seen, something could even happen on the road in Europe.
Two there were other routes to consider but let's look at these ones. One is going through North Africa meaning you have to go through Libya and really? The organisers were advised to NOT go through there. Another is taking a ferry from Turkey to Egypt but you know the cost of this? Aaahhh more then thousands of dollars, which none of us can pay for.
So VPA have worked really hard over the past few months speaking to ALL parties and the Palestinian National Council to make sure that the convoy had safe passing for the 3 days it was there. It was so nice to meet the Palestinians there and they took such good care of us. Plus it meant that some Syrians could join the convoy as well as getting more medical aid for the convoy. Well wasn't just more, it was an Artic truck carrying 43 tonnes of medical aid. Wow!
I've read all the negative reports from the convoy saying it supports the regime and what not but really, all this does is not only divide the Palestinian activists up but it also makes people forget about Palestine. As an activist on the convoy, I'm on the convoy for Gaza, not supporting any regime or any government. Writing this now, I've heard that in some countries the convoy route has been planned out for, between 9 to 20 people were killed.
The Middle East in general is one very unstable region with many problems ahead even though the Arab Spring happened. But it shouldn't stop Palestinian activists in wanting to carry out a convoy (which by definition is a group of land vehicles travelling together) and I guess the more countries you pass through the more people see the convoy and the more can join. Travelling from the UK all the way to Gaza is one long and can be taxing journey but every person I've met who's still with us just have one focus on their mind, Gaza.
Will blog about the actually journey through Syria in a bit but just my thoughts of everything that has been going on. If you don't want to support us that's fine but don't go attacking these people I have been travelling with for 3 weeks just because of a route. Are you with us and knowing what we are going through? No? Then keep the negativity to yourself and let us just accomplish what we have been doing and campaigning for, for some of us, for months.
Jem
congratulations on doing things in a concrete way for Palestine, and you are very lucky that you were fortunate enough to have someone provide you with a large quantity of medical aid near the end of the convoy. Several people had enquired to your official group about what aid was brought, and they were only met with evasive answers, which is odd. I have only a few thoughts to add to your reflections though, if you don't mind. There are some who actually REFUSE to go through ISRAEL to get to some parts of Palestine, including Gaza. It has not only to do with the logistics of needing to depend on their good offices and for them to benefit from whatever PR that might come of it, but it is an ethical consideration. Given that the Syrian regime has been waging such aggressive attacks against its own cities and has forced tens of thousands of Syrians into refugee status and if they are lucky, internal displacement, those same considerations should be taken into account when travelling through Syria and to dispell even the SUGGESTION that one approves of these actions, one refuses to deal with the perpetrators. In addition, I don't know if you heard, but it has come out recently that not only have the Palestinians been severely abused and tortured (those who are already refugees in the camps in Syria), one was exiled the other day and showed the signs of his torture under detention, but 2 days ago the camp near Dara'a was raided, Palestinian refugees were killed by Assad's army and others fled into hiding. Are they not Palestinians to whom aid and help and solidarity must be addressed?
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, it has been mentioned that the Ferries between Turkey and Egypt are not as expensive as you claim. Can you please document how much that is because if others are to do future convoys, and you have the information handy, you should share it.
one more question... 43 tonnes of medical aid coming from Syria, where this precise article is desperately lacking. Can I be so audacious as to ask where precisely did this aid come from, who the donors were and if there is a paper trail that can be studied by those accepting the aid, as I am sure that the Palestinians are the last people on earth who would feel happy to take the medicine away from a dying brother.
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ReplyDeleteYou never miss an opportunity to attack a convoy or try to divide the solidarity movement do you Mary Rizzo?
ReplyDeleteYou really are a sick puppy.
if there are persons with nothing to conceal, what problem could anyone have with normal accountability as is practiced in any and all groups or by persons who solicit funds and support from third parties? To state that someone is "attacking a convoy" reveals a lack of meaning of this word and falls dangeorusly into ridiculous hyperbole. There is one guy whose entire former comrades have broken off with, he complains as well about "dividing the solidarity movement". It seems as if persons are requested to shut up and to merely follow someone who does not even fulfil basic requirements of accountability... not in normal life, maybe in your world.
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