Gaza Convoy: Gov't urged to summon Egyptian Ambassador & secure assurances

international | rights, freedoms and repression | press release Thursday October 14, 2010 12:16 by Gerry C - IPSC

The Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) today called on the Department of Foreign Affairs to summon the Egyptian Ambassador to Iveagh House to seek assurances for the safety of the Viva Palestina convoy and to ensure the swift delivery by the convoy of its much needed humanitarian aid into Gaza without any further delaying tactics by Egyptian authorities.

The IPSC call comes as Egypt finally said yesterday (Oct 13) that they will allow the convoy dock in the port of Al Arish from where it will proceed on the short last leg of the journey through Egypt into Gaza via the Rafah crossing. The convoy has been waiting since Sunday October 3 in a Palestinian refugee camp in the Syrian port of Latakia, where they have been awaiting clearance from Egypt who until yesterday had refused permission for the convoy to proceed.

This convoy aims to break the illegal blockade and bring £3 million of much needed humanitarian aid to the Gazan people. This includes antibiotics for the old and sick, ventilators for newborn babies and schoolbags filled with notebooks, pens and pencils for schoolchildren. There are also chemotherapy drugs, refrigerator units, new wheelchairs, breathing tubes, surgical equipment, dental equipment and hundreds of different types of medicine, bandages and dressings.

Amongst the 148 vehicles and 400 people that comprise the convoy, are 70 survivors of the Mavi Marmara massacre. The boat journey from Syria to Egypt will pass the exact spot where the Mavi Marmara was attacked, where a ceremony will be held to remember those activists murdered by Israel..

A number of Irish citizens, including Jimmy Nolan and Joe Gilmartin from County Tipperary who are members of Tipp to Gaza, are also taking part in the convoy. They are driving an ambulance filled with medical aid and school supplies which they will deliver to the Al Awa hospital in Gaza. Other Irish citizens taking part in the convoy include activists from Counties Antrim and Tyrone.

IPSC National Chairperson Freda Hughes today said: “The people of Gaza continue to suffer extreme hardship as a result of Israel's illegal and barbaric blockade. The crisis remains as bad as ever with basic essentials including food, water and medical equipment continuing to be prevented from being brought into Gaza in adequate quantities, resulting in widespread poverty, hunger and chronic malnutrition among children. This continued denial of basic essentials and of freedom of movement is a massive violation of the human rights of the 1.5 million people who live in what Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin described as the 'open prison' that is Gaza.”

Ms Hughes added: “The Irish Government have quite rightly condemned the siege for the barbaric violation of International law that it is. They must now follow their words of condemnation with actions to ensure that the blockade is breached by this latest convoy and ultimately to end this illegal and inhumane blockade.”

Ms Hughes concluded: “While Egypt has now finally given clearance to allow the convoy sail to Al Arish and travel over land to Gaza, experience tells us that it is essential that the Government take nothing for granted. They need to exert as much pressure as possible to allow safe and speedy passage of the convoy into Egypt and across the border into Gaza. We call on the Department of Foreign Affairs to immediately summon the Egyptian Ambassador to Iveagh House and tell him in no uncertain terms that any further delaying tactics by Egyptian authorities will not be tolerated.”

ENDS