Mavi Marmara survivors set to lead new convoyTwo survivors from the massacre on the Mavi Marmara are set to lead the viva Palestina convoy to break the siege of Gaza. Nicci Enchmarch and Kevin Ovenden were both aboard the Mavi Marmara when it was attacked by Israeli commandos in the early hours of 31st May. Friends and colleagues from Turkey died around them and they were then imprisoned in the Negev desert.
They will be leading the Viva Palestina Lifeline 5 convoy of urgent medical aid to Gaza which is due to depart from Central London tomorrow at 9.30am.
The convoy has representatives from organisations in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Malaysia as well as volunteers from the United States, Britain and Northern Ireland. En route it will be joined by representatives of organisations in France, Italy, Greece and Turkey.
Two other convoys are being organised from Casablanca and Doha,, involving representatives of organisations in Morocco and Algeria and the Gulf States and Jordan respectively.
The three convoys with between 150 and 200 vehicles will then meet in Latakia in Syria before being shipped past the point at which the Mavi Marmara was attacked down to the Egyptian port of El Arish before crossing into Gaza via the Rafah Crossing.
This is the biggest and most international convoy set to break the siege of Gaza so far. The British convoy will form up at the Embankment east of Westminster Bridge from 8.30am tomorrow (Saturday) morning to leave at 9.30am. George Galloway and the human rights lawyer Jim Nichol will be joining the convoy at the Embankment.
The terrible massacre aboard the Mavi Marmara on 31 May has brought a sea change in international opinion against the inhumane siege on the people of Gaza.
Far from deterring people from seeking to bring the siege to an end, the Israeli assault on the Freedom Flotilla is spurring on even more people to bring humanitarian aid to the besieged 1.5 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, and to end the blockade.
Recently, Israel announced that they would " Ease " the siege on Gaza, however, many essential items are still banned. Among the goods still banned is all construction materials, farming supplies, certain medical supplies, and motor vehicles and spare parts.
Last weekend, Chris Patten and Catherine Ashton visited Gaza as part of a EU delegation to the region. Both Chris and Catherine slammed the partial easing of the siege, and called for the siege to be lifted immediatley, and for all the borders to open up as a matter of urgency. Chris stated that many of the health problems suffered by residents of the sector were caused by the embargo, which prohibits the entry of medical supplies and prevents patients with certain conditions from travelling to receive medical treatment
Viva Palestina, a registered charity founded by George Galloway, has organised three massive land convoys to Gaza in the last 18 months, bringing over 1,000 people and 500 vehicles loaded with vital humanitarian aid.
Following extensive planning, another land convoy will depart London on September 18th and set off for Gaza once again. The convoy will travel through France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Syria, and Jordan. It will attempt to reach Gaza through the Rafah border in early October.
Viva Palestina will lead the "Global Lifeline To Gaza" from London, working in partnership with the International Committee to Break the Siege on Gaza, and organisations from Europe, North and South America, Turkey, The Middle East, Australasia, India, and South Africa.
Aid that will be travelling to Gaza on the convoy will include medical equipment, educational supplies, and the wherewithal to rebuild a destroyed mosque, a school for orphans and to construct a maternity facility in Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza.
People can support the convoy in many ways, by fundraising, promoting it, or taking part. Spaces for participants on the convoy will be limited, and we urge anyone who is interested to sign up quickly, and begin fundraising to ensure they can take part in this historic journey.
For any press who are interested in joining the convoy, or if you require any further information, please e mail:
john@vivapalestina.org or telephone 0044 7751 006 256
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