Convoy Report in Amman, Jordan On Sunday 21st March at the Landmark Hotel, Amman, Nicholas Hall, convoy member from York, will be giving an illustrated talk in English about the journey, the obstacles the convoy faced, what it achieved, and will open up a discussion of what could happen next by way of international efforts to lift the siege of Gaza. 6.30 pm for a start at 7.00 pm prompt. Admission free.

Return to Gaza
The historic and international aid convoy, Viva Palestina, travels over 3000 km in an effort to break the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip. This documentary follows the members of the convoy and their 3rd and largest humanitarian mission by land, with over 200 vehicles loaded with aid. Ignored by mainstream media, the convoy sets off its journey from London to Gaza via Europe. They then face many obstacles in the last days of the journey traveling through Egypt.
Coming soon in April 2010 - by Dane Vincent Smith.

Watch the trailer below

 

Viva Palestina Convoy Celebration Day

Tuesday 23 February 2010 - 7pm - 9pm
A Public Event in honour of Viva Palestina Convoy to Gaza

The Program will include:
- Keynote speech by George Galloway MP
- A pictorial slideshow and presentation of the Viva Palestina convoy and the desperate humanitarian situation in Gaza
- An award ceremony to the representatives of the Viva Palestina Convoy.

Venue: The Conway Hall 25 Red Lion Square, Holborn, London, WC1R 4RL

Nearest tube station is Holborn (Central and Piccadilly lines) approx 3 min walk. Also within reasonable walking distance are Chancery Lane and Russell Square.

Organisers : 

Palestinian Forum of Britain (PFB)
Muslim Association of Britain (MAB)
Islamic Unity Forum (IUF)
Supporting Organisations :
British Muslim Initiative (BMI) , Islamic Forum of Europe (IFE) , Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) , Stop The War Coalition (STW) , Palestinian Return Centre (PRC) , Federation of Student Islamic Societies (FOSIS)

ALL WELCOME

Convoy members - request for your impressions

As part of the Viva Palestina Convoy Celebration Day on the 23rd of February an independent production team is putting together a short film which includes convoy members talking about their 'impressions' of the convoy and a montage of photographs taken by those on the convoy.

MORE INFO HERE

Sustaining Palestine with Aid and Fair Trade
With Speakers from 'Zaytoun' and 'Viva Palestina - Friends in Slough'

Tuesday, February 23, 7:15pm - 9:30pm
Kingsway United Reformed Church, Church Street (behind High Street), Slough,

Returning from the recent successful Viva Palestina Convoy the volunteers from Slough will be joined by a Palestinian olive grower as part of fair trade fortnight to talk about the situation in Gaza and about the ways Palestine can by sustained by fair trade as well as aid.

'Fair Trade' products will be on sale including Palestinian Olives and Dates from 'Zaytoun'

Free entry - All welcome

News Update - 5th February 2010

Dear friend,

Events have been moving fast since the convoy's return from Gaza. In addition to the good news that the two convoy members who stayed behind in Gaza are now safely back following intensive efforts to secure their return, here are a couple of further updates.

Viva Palestina US held two very successful meetings in New York and in Boston last weekend, raising around $60,000. In addition, the American Friends of Palestine held a fundraising in New Jersey which raised over $100,000. It is particularly signficant that despite attempts in the US to whip up hostility against solidarity with the Palestinians and against Viva Palestina, on account of its high profile, that these events were packed out. There was great enthusiasm for two upcoming initiatives.

Viva Palestina on the High Seas

1) Viva Palestina will be taking part in a mission to send a flotilla of boats to Gaza to seek to break the blockade by sea. The timing of this is in the process of being locked down and we are working very closely with the Turkish organisation IHH, which is taking the lead on organising logistics. All the signs are that there is enormous support in Britain and internationlly for this venture. Further details will follow very shortly and VP is committed to a major fundraising effort to bring a significant component to the IHH-led effort.

Summer University of Palestine

2) Negotiations are at a closing stage in Lebanon on the details of a Summer University of Palestine to take place in late July/early August. Again, we will be in a position to announce the final details very shortly.

Convoy Reports

A large number of report back meetings have either happened or are planned, and there is already a huge awareness of what the convoy achieved. A tour of colleges is also organised so that students can hear about the conovy and about conditions facing students in Gaza. Other meetings and events are also taking place.

There will be a large meeting in Batley, West Yorkshire, at the end of this month, for example, thanks to the Indian Muslim Welfare Association, which was extremely supportive of the convoy and all our efforts. In addition, a lot of people have taken the time to write their throughts about the whole experience down and to email us.

Again, there is an overwhelmingly positive feeling.

Please do send in your thoughts and suggestions so that we can incorporate them into planning for the future. We are in the process of securing acknowledgements and thank yous from those who received the aid we delivered and we'll make these available as we have them. We hope to be able to put out a comprehensive update on future events soon.

In the meantime, one measure of the success of the convoy and the mushrooming support for Viva Palestina - which is expanding internationally (watch this space!) - is various attempts by those who support the siege to spread disinformation and downright lies about the convoy and their unsuccessful attempts to pressure public authorities in the US and Britain to take these spurious allegations seriously.

We won't be intimidated by such underhand tricks and attempts to divide the movement we are building. Our answer is to press on, undeterred, and to build on the success of the last three convoys, all of which have broken the siege.

Best wishes,

Kevin Ovenden Viva Palestina

Vehicles left in Egypt by convoy taken to Syria by IHH

The 43 vehicles that Egypt had not allowed to be taken into Gaza along with the rest of the Viva Palestina convoy have been shipped to Syria by the IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation. They will then be donated to Palestinian refugee camps in Syria and Lebanon.

The vehicles were left at Arish port, as agreed with Egyptian authorities, to defuse a crisis over the vehicles. Egypt had blocked their entry into Gaza through its territory without providing any reasonable explanation. The other 153 vehicles were successfully taken to Gaza. 

The 43 vehicles were loaded onto ships by IHH officials to be taken to Palestinian refugee camps in Syria and Lebanon. The IHH, which managed to break the embargo as joint sponsors of the convoy, has launched preparations for another convoy. The foundation is planning to reach Gaza directly via sea in March 2010. Aid materials will be delivered to Gaza in five ships. Ppeople can donate vehicles, medical equipment and cash to be taken to Gaza alongside the planned marine convoy.  Viva Palestina will be joining the IHH every nautical mile of the way.

Congratulations
Some of the messages of support we have recieved from around the world
CLICK HERE

Egyptian police attack aid worker in ordeal Maiden head Advertiser Tales of terror as police ran riot Slough and Langley Observer Viva Palestina convoy breaks the siege of Gaza Bill Cecil - Workers World Welcome home for the Bristol-Gaza aid convoy Bristol - 24/7 Humanitarian Aid 30 hours in Gaza New Straits Times - Malayasia North Yorkshire aid workers return from Gaza The Press, York Student reveals aid horror in Middle East Derby Telegraph Sale dad reunited with family after Gaza ordeal Sale Messenger Bristol Convoy Start To Return From Gaza Jack FM Odyssey for justice Ramzy Baroud writes in Al-Ahram Tinpot tyrant ain't seen nothing yet George Galloway in the Daily Record THE VIEWS EXPRESSED IN EXTERNAL LINKS DO NOT NECESSARILY REFELCT THE VIEWS OF VIVA PALESTINA ITSELF.

Protests outside Egyptian embassy in Kuala Lumpur

From Ireland to Gaza
John Hurson reports CLICK HERE

A message from Kevin Ovenden - Viva Palestina convoy leader

"The level of support internationally for this mission has been tremendous. We`ve been understandably in a bit of a bubble - especially when we were barricaded in at the port of Al Arish. But we´ve got some sense of the scale of solidarity events and of media coverage.

"The sight of people lining the streets virtually the full length of the Gaza Strip, after waiting for 10 hours for our last vehicles to pass (thanks to further Egyptian delays) was the only vindication of that this initiative ever required.

"This was an incredibly diverse group of 518 people. Now we aim to build on that across the UK and internationally.

"Thanks to everyone who responded to the calls to action from the VP office. There are thousands of emails to respond to and we will do as soon as we can. We are now working on further plans for coordinated initiatives over the next 12 months, which will be announced shortly. "

A Poem for the Viva Palestina convoy

Dedicated to all those who took part in the convoy and those who supported it around the world.
CLICK HERE

Filistin Konvoyu'na görkemli karsilama

Bernama Should Highlight Gaza's True Scenario Berama TV report Malaysian Aid Team To Gaza Return Home Safely Berama TV report Galloway: Britain, Egypt need leaders like Erdogan Press TV report Obstacles in the path of aid agencies Malaysia Star online Inside Story - The politics behind the Viva Palestina convoy Al-Jareeza English video Women return home after taking part in Viva Palestina convoy Waltham Forest Guardian What next, Viva Palestina? Sturat Littlewood at Redress Information & Analysis THE VIEWS EXPRESSED IN EXTERNAL LINKS DO NOT NECESSARILY REFELCT THE VIEWS OF VIVA PALESTINA ITSELF.

Congratulations
Some of the messages of support we have recieved from around the world
CLICK HERE

11.00am GMT: Thursday 7th January
The Viva Palestina convoy have now handed their aid over to the Central Council of Charities - a non-governmental body of civic societies - at a ceremony in Gaza City. Convoy volunteers will now be visiting hospitals and other places where their aid will be put to use, as well as taking a tour of the devastated areas of Gaza.

Bülent Yildirim, president of the I.H.H- Insan Hak ve Hürriyetleri Insani Yardim Vakfi

In interview with Press TV George Galloway promises that in future, "You'll see Viva Palestina coming from all corners of the world."

Egyptian soldier killed in clash at Gaza border - BBC report includes video clip of convoy entering Gaza and George Galloway's speech "I'm sorry we were late." Derry men reach Gaza with aid - BBC Northern Ireland Reports Terror is the price of support for despots and dictators - Seamus Milne writes in The Guardian Viva Palestina Aid Convoy Arrives in Gaza, George Galloway Describes “Desperate” Situation - Video footage and telephone interview with George Galloway (transcript as well) Aid convoy led by George Galloway enters Gaza - The Guardian videos MP George Galloway In Egyptian Police Riot - Sky News Reports Riot police attack Britons in Gaza aid convoy - London Evening Standard Galloway: New Gaza convoys won't cross Egypt - Press TV reports Viva Palestina's bumpy road - Al-Jazeera commentary Telling the Truth - Yvonne Ridley writes in the Tehran Times Aid convoy breaks Gaza siege - Al-Jazeera reports Aid convoy enters Gaza after attack at Egyptian port -Irish Times report Gaza aid Brits 'beaten by police' - Press Association UK THE VIEWS EXPRESSED IN EXTERNAL LINKS DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF VIVA PALESTINA ITSELF.

"We are all emotional to see that all of Gaza are out to greet us! Our Viva Palestina convoy is symbolic!  It shows the Palestianian people just how much the people of the West do care. 
" We come in peace to deliver humanitarian aid and we hope that our convoy (and convoy's like ours) will help to build pressure on the Israeli government to break the siege."
Kevin Ovenden, convoy leader

Al-Jazerra reports below
 

Press TV reports below

 

Short but oh so sweet! - Headlines from Al-Jazeera

 

“It is shocking that the Egyptian government is behaving in this way.  There can be no justification for preventing this aid and the people who have worked so hard to provide it from reaching Gaza .  The Palestinians are waiting for this well publicised international convoy to arrive and these actions of the Egyptian government, and the building of Egypt's  steel wall signal that Egypt is colluding with the Israeli government's illegal siege of Gaza.”
Betty Hunter, General Secretary of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign

Press TV analysis ands interview with Betty Hunter below

 

Part Two here

 

Latest Radio Islam Interview with Kevin Ovenden
CLICK HERE

Press TV - 11.00 GMT

Viva Palestina: More Than 10 Injured, Seven Arrested

EL-ARISH PORT, Jan 6 (Bernama) -- More than 10 members of the Viva Palestina convoy were injured, four of them seriously, and seven members arrested by Egyptian police during a protest here Tuesday at 11.40pm local time.

Among those arrested was a Malaysian, Ibrahim Mohd Azmi, a University of Bristol medical student who was a convoy volunteer.

The protest was staged by Viva Palestina convoy members to protest against the decision by the Eqyptian government to bar 59 convoy vehicles from leaving here for Gaza.

READ MORE HERE

GAZA ACTIVISTS IN EGYPT PASSPORT PROTEST 

SKY NEWS REPORT HERE
Turkish TV Report HERE
Press TV Report below

 

Crisis in Egypt

Viva Palestina faced with 2,000 riot police in the port of Al-Arish!

To all friends of Palestine,

Our situation is now at a crisis point! Riot has broken out in the port of Al- Arish.

This late afternoon we were negotiating with a senior official from Cairo who left negotiations some two hours ago and did not return. Our negotiations with the official was regarding taking our aid vehicles into Gaza.

He left two hours ago and did not come back. Egyptian authorities called over 2,000 riot police who then moved towards our camp at the port.

We have now blocked the entrance to the port and we are now faced with riot police and water cannons and are determined to defend our vehicles and aid.

The Egyptian authorities have by their stubbornness and hostility towards the convoy, brought us to a crisis point.

We are now calling upon all friends of palestine to mount protests in person where possible, but by any means available to Egyptian representatives, consulates and Embassy's and demand that the convoy are allowed a safe passage into Gaza tomorrow!

Kevin Ovenden Viva Palestina Convoy Leader

Contact details including email addresses and phone numbers of Egyptian Embassies and consulates can be found here

Click here to read an example of one email sent this evening - feel free to use/amend, etc.

Up to the minute reports from the convoy can be found by CLICKING HERE.

Images from Al-Arish

 

14.00 GMT: Convoy vehicles begin to leave port at Al-Arish

Convoy Update
Tuesday 5th January 12.00am GMT

VIVA PALESTINA WIN AIRPORT BATTLE!

My last message to all of you was that the Viva Palestina convoy members have arrived into Al-Arish and were just hours away from breaking the siege of Gaza.

Now, I report to you that in the  past hour 157 Viva Palestina convoy members passports were taken away at Al-Arish airport by the Egyptian authorities. 

READ MORE HERE

Gaza activists in passport protest

Read Eric Ruder "Viva Palestina mission to Gaza"
CLICK HERE

Read Press Association story here

Please Support our Emergency Appeal

So we are asking our friends and supporters to dig deep in their pockets and make an emergency donation towards the costs now facing the convoy including chartering the ULUSOY-6 to tansport the vehicles and four or five flights to move the convoy members.

With your help we will once more deliver aid to the people of Gaza - and once more demand the end to this inhuman siege.

Thanks you for your support and may we wish everyone a Happy New Year.

Viva Palestina and friends

PLEASE MAKE A DONATION HERE

Thank you to the many supporters from more than twenty countries who have already donated online. Your generosity and support is wonderful.