"Viva Palestina has has brought so many people together and given them the space to let the people of Gaza know that the convoy brings from Britain not only aid but a great deal of love and respect for how they have endured the onslaught. All the people who have supported this convoy will be with us in spirit every inch of the way so that when we meet the people of Gaza, all these people will be there too so widening the circle which must forever be kept open so that we are never again separated by fences and walls from the people of Gaza, of Palestine!" - Mary, South London

Abrar, Souheir and Mary prepare to join the convoy

Mary from Stockwell, South London
Why I'm travelling to Gaza

I knew that something terrible would happen in the Middle East before Bush left office. I naively thought this would involve Iran. When the bombing began, and with such force, I saw that indeed this was the plan and that Gaza was being used as bait to secure this. I responded with a sense of urgency, feeling desperately for the people who were being subjected to such terror, who were being sacrificed for the Israeli-American-European agenda. I could not sleep or eat.

The only thing that sustained me was the intelligent diplomatic initiatives taking place between Iran, Syria, Lebanon and other states.

When I heard Dr Mads Gilbert of Shifa Hospital describe how the American-made DIME bombs were amputating children’s limbs and destroying their DNA in the process, my sense of utter frustration at not being able to do anything was driving me to total despair faced with the impotency of the UN Security Council which had not even begun to consider that one of its member states was committing war crimes. The Secretary General had it within his power to instruct the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to immediately begin investigations on the basis that Israel was posing a threat to international peace and security by committing war crimes but this was not even being mentioned in that flurry of meetings.

Why? It was so apparent. What we were seeing are acts of genocide. This is why I am going to Gaza...and I want to do whatever I can to help those people who have suffered so much. Most especially, I want to be with the children to let them know we care and for them to feel that there is more to the world than the hell- hole that Gaza has become. From this experience I am sure much good will come.

I know, from all the calls I have been receiving from people who want to give aid, that this is how we all feel. Viva Palestina has become a conduit for these feelings. It has brought so many people together and given them the space to let the people of Gaza know that the convoy brings from Britain, not only aid, but a great deal of love and respect for how they have endured this onslaught.

I also know that all the people who have supported this convoy will be with us in spirit every inch of the way so that when we meet the people of Gaza, all these people will be there too so widening the circle which will forever be open. Never again will fences and walls separate us from you, people of Gaza, people of Palestine, you are no longer alone.

Mary Edwards,
London.

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