Irish activists among Gaza Convoy that today broke Israeli siege & delivered aid

international | rights, freedoms and repression | press release Thursday October 21, 2010 21:57 by Gerry C - IPSC info at ipsc dot ie

The Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) have congratulated and paid tribute to all the activists on the Viva Palestina Gaza Convoy who today entered Gaza - breaking the siege imposed by Israel - and delivered more than $5 million in much needed humanitarian aid to the population living there.

The convoy of almost 150 vehicles and 370 people, the largest convoy ever to break the Israeli siege, entered Gaza at 4pm local time through the Egyptian controlled Rafah crossing where they were met by thousands of jubilant Palestinians.

A number of Irish citizens, including Jimmy Nolan and Joe Gilmartin from County Tipperary who are members of Tipp to Gaza, were part of the convoy. They were driving an ambulance filled with medical aid and school supplies which they will deliver to the Al Adwa hospital in Gaza. Other Irish citizens taking part in the convoy include human rights activists from Counties Antrim and Tyrone.

The convoy had driven for more than a month, covering over 3,000 miles from London to deliver this much needed humanitarian aid. The aid, which will be handed over in its entirety to the relevant bodies tomorrow, includes antibiotics for the old and sick, ventilators for newborn babies and schoolbags filled with notebooks, pens and pencils for schoolchildren. There are also chemotherapy drugs, refrigerator units, new wheelchairs, breathing tubes, surgical equipment, dental equipment and hundreds of different types of medicine, bandages and dressings.

Paying tribute to the activists who enter Gaza, IPSC National Chairperson Freda Hughes tonight aid: “These activists are to be commended and congratulated for their bravery and determination to breach this illegal blockade and deliver their humanitarian aid to the besieged Gaza Strip. This was despite threats in recent days by the Israeli military that they were preparing to intercept the convoy and various obstacles placed in their way by Egyptian authorities. The people of Gaza must also be praised for their steadfastness in the face of the brutality and inhumanity of Israel's apartheid policies.”

Ms Hughes added: “Basic essentials including food, water and medical equipment continue to be prevented from being brought into Gaza in adequate quantities, resulting in widespread poverty, hunger and chronic malnutrition among children. This continued denial of basic essentials and of freedom of movement is a massive violation of the human rights of the 1.5 million people who live in what Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin described as the 'open prison' that is Gaza.”

Ms Hughes continued: “While this convoy has breached the blockade, the cruel and illegal siege remains in place. The fact that these activists have had to resort to such actions is a damning indictment of the international community who despite acknowledging the illegality and barbarity of the blockade have failed to take any meaningful action to end it”

Ms Hughes concluded: “It is long past time for the international community to finally live up to their responsibilities. They must take whatever action is necessary to force Israel to end the blockade and to secure justice and freedom for the Palestinian people. The EU and the Irish government regularly express a commitment to human rights, now they need to move beyond rhetoric and implement official sanctions against the rogue state of Israel or will continue to act with impunity and the Palestinian people will continue to pay the price.”

ENDS