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Bristol-Gaza-Link Association launched at packed meetingWednesday 7th October 2009Over two hundred people packed into the main hall of the Bristol Council House on Monday evening (28th September) to launch the Bristol-Gaza-Link Association. The aims and objectives of the Bristol-Gaza-Link Association will be to build humanitarian, cultural, educational and social links. These links will be with similar groups and organisations primarily in Gaza City. However links with Palestinian populations both in the West Bank and the Diaspora are also possible.
There was also a display of medical equipment, wheel-chairs, Zimmer-frames, commodes, walking sticks and crutches which have been donated to be sent to Gaza. The Red Notes Choir opened proceedings. The meeting was chaired jointly by Anira Khokhar of the Bristol Muslim Cultural Society and Glen Burrows Branch Secretary of the Bristol RMT Rail Union. There were speeches from:- Cllr John Kiely Lib Dem Easton ward. "We were all shocked at the brutal way Israel used its superior force against defenceless civilians and even the UN. Here in Bristol people were determined to try and do something practical to assist the people of Gaza and to show our solidarity with their plight. I am therefore delighted to be associated with the efforts of this group who have worked tirelessly to create a link with the Palestinian people, I wish it every success." Adeela Shafi , the Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for the Conservative Party for Bristol East. "I welcome the launch of the new Bristol-Gaza-Link association. The people of Gaza have suffered greatly as a result of conflict. I hope the association will be able to offer support to those trying to achieve the two-state solution which is the only hope for lasting peace in the region, as well as those working to rebuild Gaza and alleviate human suffering there. I am especially proud of the efforts being made by Bristolians to make specific links with Gaza and would be pleased to offer my support and sentiment to this endeavour." Hasina Khan spoke of her horror watching the news of the attacks on Gaza last winter. She described getting involved in the protests in Bristol and her support for the Viva Palestina convoy. Despite busy work and family commitments, she said she felt it was her duty to join the organising group of Bristol-Gaza-Link. Mohamed Elhaddad described his trip to Gaza last winter with the Viva Palestina convoy. He showed a short film and photographs of his tour of the Gaza Strip. He described the devastating damage caused by the three-week bombing and described the desperate living conditions there. Sakir Yildirim, who also drove to Gaza last winter, outlined plans for a new convoy which will leave Bristol on Friday 4th December to join the main convoy in London. The whole convoy aims to arrive in Gaza on the anniversary of the start of the bombing on 27th December. The Bristol group is already collecting medical equipment and is fund-raising for ambulances and trucks for the journey. Ed Hill gave a short summary of the history of Palestine including Britain's colonial involvement. He said this country should be setting the lead for peace and justice for Palestine. If this doesn't come from our Government then it up to ordinary citizens to take the lead. Jade McClune read out a moving poem written by Palestinian Mahmoud Darwish. Messages of support were read out from:- Cllr Barbara Janke (Lib Dem) Leader of Bristol City Council I fully support the Bristol-Gaza link in seeking to raise awareness of and providing humanitarian support for the people of Gaza. I very much welcome the way you are seeking to include people of all faiths, cultures and interests in the project. As I'm sure you are aware improving community cohesion is a personal goal for me as leader of the Council and an organisational goal for Bristol City Council. We have been actively involved in a number of programmes to help develop mutual understanding including Salaam Shalom Radio Station, the Gaza Question-Time panel, and many other events. I send you my personal best wishes for the launch this evening and look forward to attending a future event. Cllr Helen Holland , leader of the Labour Group on Bristol City Council. "Bristol's strength lies in our diversity and the internationalism that this reflects. Friendship and twinning links bring huge benefits to Bristol, and over many years cultural, economic and education links have developed between our city and our partner cities, between organisations here and abroad, and many personal friendships between Bristolians and citizens of other countries. The Labour Group and I have been very supportive of this new association, which builds on the bridges that have been made between Bristol and Gaza, and we wish every success to the association. Bristol and Gaza have much to learn from each other, and with these links comes better understanding." Cllr Richard Eddy , Leader of the Conservative Group on Bristol City Council "Thank you for informing me of this event. I'm afraid that it is impossible for me to attend as I have a prior engagement. I'm delighted that Adeela Shafi is able to be present to represent the Conservative Party." Green Party Cllr Charlie Bolton "Congratulations to the Bristol-Gaza link for their excellent work on this vital issue. It is great to see them building links between organisations here and in Gaza. I am very happy to offer my support to them, and look forward with interest to them making a real difference." In January 2009, Abdul Malik , then Cllr for Easton, first raised the issue of the attack on Gaza at City Council level. He is now in Pakistan caring for his family but sent this message:- I want to say how proud I feel of the efforts and work you have put into this project. I wish it all the success it deserves and I hope I will be able to contribute when I return. Well done!!! Stephen Williams , Lib Dem MP for Bristol West. "Shocked by the human rights atrocities I braved the snow and ice to join hundreds of Bristolians at the Stop the War demonstration in February to support the people of Gaza. Pressure must be put on the Israeli Government to make them behave in a responsible manner. This is an incredibly important issue. I receive hundreds of letters every year about foreign affairs and human rights and have raised many issues with the Foreign Office". Kerry McCarthy Labour MP for Bristol East. "I welcome the formation of the Bristol-Gaza-Link which aims to build further links between Bristol and Gaza city and develop a deeper understanding between the two areas, both socially and culturally, whilst also demonstrating the widespread empathy felt by many in Bristol for Gaza's problems. Having spent time in the region (although not in Gaza) a few years ago with CAABU and as an election observer for the last Palestinian Authority elections, and having visited community groups I have seen the positive impact such projects can bring. I know that Bristol people have already made sterling efforts to show solidarity with, and support for, the Palestinian people, from helping out with the olive harvest, to collecting computers for Palestine, to making films about the scale of the problems there. I am sorry I cannot be with you for the launch of Bristol-Gaza link, as the Labour Party Conference is taking place in Brighton, but I will be following the progress of this association closely and wish it all the best"" Jo Benefield read out the message from the Mayor of Gaza It is my honour and pleasure to address your conference today. This will be a memorable day in the British-Palestinian relationship. It will mark the start of a new era of friendship and solidarity between our people. Gaza is the oldest inhabited city in the world. At the beginning of this year Gaza suffered the most brutal & savage attack in more than 42 years. The barbaric Israeli military assault wreaked the lives of thousands of innocent civilian children, women and elderly. Not only was this an assault that destroyed houses, schools, hospitals & workplaces, uprooted trees, olives, oranges and palms, polluted our environment and ecosystems. But it also tried to destroy our will, kill our hope, assassinate our belief and aspiration, and nullify our mere existence as human beings. IN THIS IT SEVERELY FAILED Soon after this massacre, the British relief convey arrived. It was welcomed by all, with great appreciation and thanks to all of you, and to every body who helped in this first class humanitarian issue. As the Mayor of Gaza, on behalf of all Palestinians, and on behalf of the Palestinian National Authority, I would like to express our thanks and deep appreciation to your gathering and conference today. The launch of Gaza-Bristol-Link is very important to us, beyond any materialistic issue, your support and solidarity means to us that we are not left alone, that hope is still there, and that together with all our friends in the free world we shall build a better world, a world with peace and justice and prosperity, a world with a "FREE INDEPENDENT PALESTINE". Dr. Maged Abu-Ramadan Mayor of Gaza MD, FRCSEd Senior Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon, President, The Palestinian Ophthalmological Society President, Association of Palestinian Local Authorities, Director General, MOH International Cooperation Dept. A large number of people spoke from the audience about their existing links with Palestine. Historically, Bristol has had a large number of connections with Palestine, both Gaza and the West Bank. These have ranged from faith groups to peace campaigners, from medics to footballers to circus-performers. Even Bristol's own graffiti artist Banksy has visited Palestine! Bristol-Gaza-Link aims to build on these foundations and is already encouraging a growing number of groups and organizations to explore links with Gaza. Further people contributed from the audience outlining how they planned to link with Palestine. These included trade unions, professional groups, schools, colleges, university groups of students and staff, hospital groups, medics and paramedical. Teachers drew attention to a new teacher's pack of educational resources for citizenship lessons on Palestine which is now available on the internet. (See www.caabu.org) Some specific proposals included:-
The meeting also heard a report from a speaker from London of several large and active twinning links between London boroughs and areas in Palestine (see http:/ / www.twinningwithpalestine.net ) Jeremy Clarke described the aims and objectives of the new Bristol Gaza Link Association and invited new members to join the committee. The audience voted to form the Association and the first meeting will take place at 7.00pm on Monday 19th October at the Pierian Centre, 27 Portland Square, St. Paul's, Bristol BS2 8SA A spokesperson for Bristol-Gaza-Link says "We are delighted at the support Bristol is giving to this project. We have all-party support and a big vote of confidence from the huge number of people who attended this launch event. Our aim is to build our networks and support across all the communities of Bristol - uniting people in a message of peace and justice for all. Together we can build practical and solidarity support for the people of Gaza and the whole of Palestine." Background: People from across Bristol took part in large numbers in protests, vigils, demonstrations, meetings and occupations to show their support for the people of Gaza during Israel's attacks in December & January. Over a hundred thousand pounds was collected in the city to be sent as aid to Gaza. Mohamed Elhaddad and Sakir Yildirim went from Bristol to join the 100 vehicle Viva Palestina! Convoy which drove to Gaza with aid collected in Britain. On their return they gave eyewitness reports of conditions in Gaza. Out of this grew the idea of building links between Bristol & Gaza City. Historically, Bristol has had a large number of connections with Palestine, both Gaza and the West Bank. These have ranged from faith groups to peace campaigners, from medics to footballers to circus-performers. Even Bristol's own graffiti artist Banksy has visited Palestine! Bristol-Gaza-Link aims to build on these foundations and is already encouraging a growing number of groups and organizations to explore links with Gaza. Bristol-Gaza-Link has produced a video of the convoy to Gaza last winter which is available on YouTube (see http:/ / www.youtube.com/ watch ?v=- RjAfuluos4 - 3 parts). The group is starting fund-raising for a second convoy to Gaza this winter which is due to depart from Bristol on Friday 4th December. Pictures of the launch event can be found at http:/ / bglink.ning.com/ profiles/ blogs/ the- bristol- gaza- link- is and http:/ / bglink.ning.com/ photo/ albums/ bristol- gaza- link- launch- event Interlinked websites http:/ / www.bristolgazalink.org / http:/ / bristolgazalink.wordpress.com / http:/ / bglink.ning.com/
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The Bristol-Gaza-Link Association is supported by all the political parties in Bristol. 
