- Title: SYRIA: Aid convoy en-route to Gaza arrives in Damascus
- Date: 23rd December 2009
- Summary: DAMASCUS, SYRIA (DECEMBER 21, 2009) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF THE DELEGATION BRITISH MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT, GEORGE GALLOWAY, TALKING TO A MEMBER OF THE DELEGATION (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITISH MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT, GEORGE GALLOWAY SAYING: "Why the United Nations, which brought Israel into existence in the first place, should allow itself to be treated with such contempt by I
- Embargoed: 7th January 2010 12:00
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- Topics: International Relations
- Reuters ID: LVA80ELCWE10ZGX3N8YKM64GMOTP
- Story Text: A year on from the Israeli offensive on Gaza which started in December 2008, and the city is still in deep humanitarian crisis. Gaza has been under siege since Hamas took power in 2006, and subsequent events like last year's offensive have only resulted in the tightening of restrictions on its borders.
The siege on Gaza doesn't seem to have deterred the 300-strong delegation from the United Kingdom, lead by British Member of Parliament (MP) George Galloway, in attempting to get medical and food aid into the poor Strip.
The convoy carrying medical aid, food and other life necessities made a stop in the Syrian capital, Damascus this week before setting off for the rest of its journey. The aim of the mission is draw attention to the suffering of Palestinian people living in Gaza, said left-leaning British MP George Galloway.
"Why the United Nations, which brought Israel into existence in the first place, should allow itself to be treated with such contempt by Israel? Why certain Arab countries should have Israeli embassies in their capitals and the MOSSAD (Israel's secret intelligence service) operating in their country?" he added.
The convoy started in the United Kingdom in early December, it drove across Europe and the Middle East and picked up another 150 tonnes of medical and food aid when it reached Turkey. Seven more trucks joined the convoy in Syria.
Hussein Oruch, Member of the Turkish Foundation for Human Rights, Freedom and Humanitarian Relief, said he hoped his delegations will encourage others to do the same.
"They are not accepting all resolutions from the United Nations but they will accept the opinion of the peoples because the power is here. If we can show that in this manner you can stop the siege it will be a sample for other people. Maybe next days you will see the other convoys from all the world to stop this siege." he said.
The convoy is the fourth of its kind organised by 'Viva Palestine', a charity set up by George Galloway in January this year, following the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip.
"This kind of convoy going from London to Gaza passes through more than 20 countries bringing with it life and hope for Palestinians in the Gaza strip . They represent victory for Gaza, victory of hope and life over death and destruction. And that's why it (the convoy) is a message to break the this long-running oppressive siege imposed on the Palestinian people in the Gaza strip" said Hamas' Deputy Chief, Moussa Abu Marzouk, in Damascus.
After Syria, the convoy will cross to Jordan, Lebanon and then to Egypt where the delegation hope to cross the Egyptian-Gaza border in Rafah on the December 27th. By then the convoy will comprise of 110 vehicles and 420 activists.
Restrictions placed on supplies to Gaza, home to some 1.5 million Palestinians were tightened after Hamas won the elections in 2006 and when they took complete control of the territory by force in 2007. The Israeli offensive December last year, to stop Hamas firing rockets into Israel also added to the dire humanitarian situation inside the Gaza Strip.
Imposing the Gaza blockade with Egyptian help, Israel says it restricts the supply of materials that could be used for military purposes by Hamas and other armed groups which say they are bent on the destruction of the Jewish state.
Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor blamed Hamas for the restrictions.
"Those who want Gaza to have free access to the world should first and foremost endeavour to stop the Hamas rule of terror, so that crossings to Israel and to Egypt can be operated without fear," he said. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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