Galloway Lands in Gaza
To follow-up on Kalash’s post, British MP George Galloway arrived successfully to Gaza with an aid caravan, “Viva Palestina” that drove all the way from London.
The British politician known for his political radicalism and oratorical prowess as a “hero.” He was booted from the Labour party for his opposition to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, His position then is now the mainstream political wisdom. Though many more activists worked hard to make this happen, he was the face of the operation.
The more than 50 British and Scottish volunteers and 100 vehicles carrying food, clothing and medicine entered from Egypt through the Rafah border crossing.
Receiving the activists, Ahmed Kurd, Hamas’ minister of social affairs, thanked Galloway for the “noble goodwill gesture” and called the lawmaker a “hero.”
Galloway said a total of 300 British citizens and 200 Libyans would be entering Gaza to help with the aid mission.
As with the sanctions on Iraq, Israel’s crushing embargo is coming to an end slowly through necessary increases in humanitarian aid and high profile acts such as this. The Israeli siege has not accomplished anything other than collective punishment, a public health crisis, and more justified resentment.
All of this will only come back to hurt Israel in the future. I fear that the long-term reaction will be an uncontrollable wave of anger. Sadly, it is generated and fueled by Israeli oppression with the acquiescence of a blind, manipulated and miltarily mobilized public.
British and Scottish? Nice, Will. You continue to make Americans look like idiots.
The images of the convoy entering were rather impressive, but as one of our readers pointed out earlier, this was not a complete success. Half of the convoy has yet to enter Gaza, this is from their website: "A deal was reached to allow all of the members of the convoy to go through. In the end, Viva Palestina had to make the sacrifice of agreeing that some vehicles will have to cross the border from the Al Ouja Israeli controlled crossing point. This includes our mascot, the fire engine and the boat. This was due to the restrictions imposed by Egyptian law governing the Rafah Crossing." So much for their commitment to not dealing with the Israelis. But I guess it was all to be expected. Hopefully people won't forget about all the stuff that has not made it in… I'm not trying to be a party pooper though – ultimately this was a significant accomplishment. Kudos to everyone involved.
As it is ; an 8 years old comment : Yes and give our love to our friends, the children.TELL THEM WE WANTED TO COME AND PLAY WITH THEM SO THEY FORGET THEir SADNESS FOR A LITTLE WHILE BUT we have to go to school and our not allowed holidays till easter.i am eight.please give them all a hug from me n my friends.
Can't find where I read it now, but they got some abuse and graphitti from locals in Egypt. Those who should be on your side are often not and much Arab support does seem rather lukewarm. That does suggests something very wrong in Hamas's approach.
They were Fatah people living in Egypt, not locals.
It's an easy mistake to make for someone not familiar to Britain and it's terminology. Plus, I'm told that there are Americans that are far worse – ones that don't know the difference between England and New England.