Viva Palestina Ireland to Gaza - a report

Viva Palestina Ireland to Gaza - a report
Well folks, the great news to report to you all is that the “Viva
Palestina” Humanitarian Aid Convoy safely reached Gaza and delivered
all their aid. On January 6 th , 517 humanitarians from 20 countries,
in close to 200 vehicles, crossed through the Rafah Border into Gaza .
The scenes greeting us as we made our way to Gaza city were
unbelievable. Over 100,000 lined the roads and streets as we took 3
hours to drive 20 kilometres. They had waited patiently on us for us
for weeks, and their outpouring of excitement and gratitude was the
most humbling experience in my life. They are the real heroes, not us.
[...]
Everyone was shocked, and totally dismayed by
Egypt 's new rules.

1. We were to hand over all our vehicles and aid to the United Nations
Relief Agency.

2. Drive back up to Syria , put all our vehicles on a boat and sail it
to El Arish Port. We were to take a ferry or fly.

3. We were to ask Israel for permission to cross from Egypt into Gaza .

[...]
Plus, 30 of us joined is a hunger strike along with many others in
Cairo who were part of a Gaza Freedom March that was banned from
entering Gaza . Over 1,300 people from all over the world had arrived
in Cairo only to be told they would not be allowed in. Among the
hunger strikers in Cairo , was Hedy Epstein, a 85 year old Holocaust
survivor.
[...]
Together we fasted for 40 hours until word came through that a deal
had been struck. Egypt was going to allow the whole convoy a safe
passage into Gaza if we travelled from Syria .
We would not have to hand it over to the UN, and we would not to ask
Israel for permission to cross. (Like we were going to…)
[...]

Having arrived at El Arish airport, a full scale commotion was going
on as the airport officials “lost” 5 passports. As our noise got
louder, 1 by 1 the passports mysteriously re appeared…… After 8 hours
in the airport, we were bussed to the compound at the port where all
our vehicles and all the convoy members were gathered.

Little did we all know what was in store for us later on that night.
During discussions with the head of the I.H.H. charity, a Turkish M.P.
representing the Government, and George Galloway, Egyptian officials
reneged on their previous deal, and where now denying entry to 59
vehicles. Then, they stood up and walked out to make a phone call. 15
minutes later they looked out the window and the compound was
surrounded by 2,000 riot police and soldiers. This was developing into
a very tense situation.

Hundreds of convoy members went to the main gates and staged a
peaceful protest. We all linked arms at the front, and at various
times, sat down for long spells. The Muslim men gathered in deep
prayer, and the atmosphere was very calm.
However, things changed for the worse after a few hours whenever we
were attacked by stone throwers from behind police lines. They fired
tear gas on us, water cannoned us, threw sand in our faces, and then
baton charged us. It was a very scary moment, and I was lucky enough
to escape any blows. As everyone was getting pushed back into the
compound, stones and bricks followed after them from the police lines.
A full scale riot raged for the next 10 minutes as stones and bricks
rained from both sides of the wall.
[...]
People were very frightened, and with just cause. The sight of people
injured was not a pretty one, believe me.
[...]

That evening, I went to the Gaza Sporting Club. This is the club I
presented jerseys to before, and this evening I was back with more!
This also marked the occasion where I formally established a Gaza GAA
club within their structures. I presented them with a set of jerseys
that had been donated by Peter Canavan's school, The Holy Trinity in
Cookstown.

It was a very proud moment, and one for the history books.
They presented me with a plaque, and 3 club jerseys. It was a fairly
emotional meeting for sure. Very soon, children in Gaza will be
playing Gaelic football, and will be kicking points like Peter!!

During our meeting, a loud explosion was heard in the distant.

The curtains in our room blew in and then out with the blast. At this
point, our evening was cut short and we returned to the safety of our
hotel. It was a very tense feeling, and word came through that it was
a F16 attack and that 1 man had been killed. In another attack near
the border, 2 more were killed in F16 attacks. This was a cold
reminder to all about the daily fear everyone lives with in Gaza .
These attacks are designed to keep on letting everyone in Gaza know
that they can be hit at anytime, for no reason at all. Just living in
Gaza makes you a target.

The following morning, we were all advised to head straight to the
border. Everyone packed up, and after many tearful farewells, 517
people made their way to the Rafah Border.
[...]
We were made to wait for 8 hours, and then when we had passed through
immigration, we were all loaded onto buses and taken directly to Cairo
Airport . Here, each and every one of us was “Deported” from Egypt .
This was our final thanks for having brought humanitarian aid to the
suffering people in Gaza . For all of us, it is a badge of honour.
Where else in the world would you be deported for having completed an
act of charity? The mind boggles……..
Egypt can hold their heads in shame for what they did to us. Making us
endure a 13 day detour, attacking us, and then deporting us, was some
reception from a supposed friend of the west. Then, they announce that
they will never allow another convoy of aid to pass through their land
for Gaza . They have a big heart, and their generosity knows no
bounds.
The British Embassy in Cairo did nothing for their citizens,
and the US did even less.
The Irish Embassy did more than every other Embassy put together. From the moment we landed in ElArish, they were making up to 5 calls a day to us to make sure we were all ok. They also made several calls for our safety to the Egyptian Government.

Michael Martin also called to offer his support. Once again, Ireland
stood up for its citizens and for the Palestinians. We were truly
grateful for this support and constant contact.

[...]
Together, we all made it happen, and the people in Gaza love and
respect everyone for having shown the courage to speak up for them.
They will never forget this convoy, that's for sure……

Tyrone To Gaza

John Hurson