By Eric C. Sigmund
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East
JERUSALEM, Israel – The aid flotilla “Viva Palestina” will depart this weekend from Syria in route to Egypt in order to deliver much needed aid and goods to Palestinians in Gaza. “Viva Palestina” is said to be the largest aid convoy to break the Gaza embargo. Despite international pressure, Egypt announced today that it will allow the flotilla to dock at its Al-Arish port in order to facilitate the transportation of goods into Gaza. The government however, noted that it will prohibit George Galloway, the British ex-parliamentarian who is a member of the convoy, from entering the country as he is considered a persona non grata, literally meaning “an unwelcome person.”
Accompanying this convoy are 40 survivors of the fatal aid flotilla crisis this summer. The main ship in the flotilla is said to be carrying 380 activists from 42 countries, 147 vehicles and about $5 million in medical aid to Gaza. Kevin Ovednen, the leader of the convoy, announced his pleasure with the Egyptian government’s decision, stating “[w]e are anxious to get to Gaza as soon as possible to deliver the goods and to show the people of Gaza that we have not abandoned them.”
Egypt’s decision to refuse entry to George Galloway comes in response to clashes instigated by aid providers led by Galloway against Egyptian police in January of this year. Fighting erupted when the aid providers and a convoy of aid carrying vehicles were denied entry into Gaza. Commenting about Egypt’s decision to deny him access this time around, Galloway stated “I was not deported from Egypt and I am not ‘persona non grata’ there.” He further commented “I have no wish to have a fight with the Egyptian government; my fight is with Israel.”
Israel imposed the embargo on the Gaza Strip in June 2007 after Hamas too control of the area. The embargo covers numerous food items, medical supplies, and infrastructural products like cement. Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have been forced to suffer food shortages and extended periods of time without electricity and gas. Since the flotilla incident in May, Israel has eased some of the restrictions imposed under the blockade. The recent exceptions however, have only had a marginal effect on addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the freedom of movement of Palestinians in Gaza remains very limited.
For more information, please see:
Al-Jazeera – Egypt Grants Passage to Gaza Convoy – 14 Oct. 2010
CNN World News – New Aid Convoy Departing for Gaza This Weekend – 14 Oct. 2010
Jerusalem Post – ‘Viva Palestina’ Aid Flotilla Set to Depart for Gaza – 14 Oct. 2010
Palestine News Network – Egypt Allows Viva Palestina Aid Convoy Into Gaza – 14 Oct. 2010
