Viva Palestina 5 breaks the siege and enters Gaza

EXCLUSIVE PICTURES

After five weeks on the road through France, Italy, Greece, Turkey and Syria, the Viva Palestina 5 aid convoy entered Gaza yesterday (21 October). Made up of almost 150 vehicles, 370 people from 30 different countries and $5 million of aid, the convoy entered the besieged Gaza Strip amid scenes of jubilation. The activists are expected to spend three days in Gaza to hand over the aid, conduct a number of visits and hold meetings with government officials.

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Kevin Ovenden, the Viva Palestina 5 director, said, “We are absolutely overjoyed to be here and to bring with us the soil from the graves of those who were massacred on the Mavi Marmara which will be used to plant trees as a memorial to their sacrifice.”

Despite the palpable joy there were notable absentees from the party, particularly Viva Palestina’s founder, George Galloway. He, along with 17 other members, were denied entry into Egypt by the authorities. A spokesman for the convoy, Zahir Birawi, urged the Egyptian government to review its relations with Viva Palestina in the light of its outstanding humanitarian work. He added that the ease with which the journey through Egypt was conducted suggests that there may be a rethink on the part of the authorities.

Travelling with Viva Palestina 5 was Muhammad Sawalha, Deputy Director of the International Committee to Break the Siege on Gaza. He said that they had made the journey in order to “deliver a message to the international community that the forces of freedom throughout the world are on the side of the besieged people of Gaza”. He called for an end to the siege and pressure upon the Israeli occupation authorities to open the borders and allow the free movement of goods and people to and from the territory.

Mr Sawalha added, “From the time we left our homes and children we were convinced beyond any doubt that we would reach the blockaded territory and today we have arrived to assist the deprived and weak.”

Welcoming the convoy, Dr Ahmed Yusuf, a senior political adviser to Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, said Viva Palestina 5 will breathe new life into the hearts of the people of Gaza and encourage them to continue their struggle.

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MEMO Photographer: Mohammed Asad