I have yesterday published on this blog a report, which appeared in Redress.com, and is of somewhat doubtful nature. While I checked out the quotations from Alderman and they are accurate, there is an assumption here that ‘whistle blowers’ from the various Jewish organisations have assisted in the collecting and phrasing of this ‘report’. This is unlikely, to say the least, but I cannot prove my doubts, so decided to leave this and see whether some proof emerges. To not publish can be seen as some form of censorship, I feel.
Video of the Demonstration in London, 27th December 2009, Part 1
Video of the Demonstration in London, 27th December 2009, Part 2
Gaza aid convoy led by George Galloway declares hunger strike: Ha’aretz
More than 400 members of an international aid convoy to Gaza declared a hunger strike on Sunday to protest Egypt’s refusal to allow them entry into the Hamas-ruled territory via the Red Sea.
Alice Howard, a spokeswoman for British-based Viva Palestina, said the group was consuming only liquids, as it remained stranded in the Red Sea port of Aqaba.
Led by British MP George Galloway, 150 vehicles were carrying hundreds of tons of humanitarian aid. They had hoped to enter Gaza on Sunday, the first anniversary of Israel’s offensive against Hamas in the coastal strip, Operation Cast lead.
Egypt refused to let the group enter through the Red Sea. It says they should use a Mediterranean route closer to the Gaza border.
Howard said Turkey is trying to mediate.
Galloway, a controversial lawmaker who was expelled from the ruling Labor party, visited Gaza earlier this year at the head of a similar aid caravanaid caravan. Upon his arrival, a senior Hamas official thanked Galloway for the “noble goodwill gesture” and called him a “hero.”
Just arrived from Cairo:
Sent: (from Cairo) on Monday, December 28, 2009 6:21 PM
GMS Bulletin #
Hi everyone,
It is proving harder than I thought to fit in writing these bulletins in a timely fashion.
Yesterday was a great day. We went down to a major bridge across the Nile and tied cards of rememberance and flowers to the bridge railings. These were removed almost immediately by the police who follow us everywhere. It
is evident that there are spies at our meetings. The police challenged us to move on, but in a very restrained manner. It is obvious that at this stage they are treating internationals with kid gloves, unlike their own nationals.
It is theoretically forbidden to gather in groups of more than 6. However we have found that in greater numbers we can prevail. We had planned yesterday to hire small boats on the nile and float 1400 candles in memory of the people killed in Gaza last year. A good photo op for the media. An easy gentle media event that should not push the police prohibitions. But the police would not allow it. So there we were, all gathered 1400 of us, and we began a strong loud street demo. It was wonderful – songs in a variety of languages. Banners (forbidden) were unfurled. Silly buggers, if they had let us use the boats , there would have been just a few boats and candles floating down the Nile. But they still treated us with kid gloves.
The authorities have prevented us hiring buses to go to AL Arish as planned for today. Various groups have gone on ahead but have been arrested at Al Arish.
As well as the Gaza freedom march, there are a number of other groups operating independently but coordinating together.: The French have been successful in getting the co-operation of their Embassy to help get them buses., there are the Spanish and a whole lot of other groups. It is all wonderfully fluid and anarchic. I cannot praise the women of Code Pink highly enough. They are all very experienced operators, operating in the best feminist model, facilitative, clear, not top down like the traditional left, male models. Very competent and nurturing, no bloody ego – yay!
Well it looks as if I will be able to get this sent to you as I write.
Cheers
Vivienne
To read frequent reports from Cairo on the Gaza Freedom March, please connect to Ali Abunimah’s Gaza Freedom March blog.
