Etter at de 500 aktivistene i Viva Palestina-konvoien ble angrepet av 2000 egyptiske opprørspoliti, og flere titalls aktivister ble skadet, kom likevel i dag det meste av konvoien inn over grensa til Gaza. Dim lights
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Det egyptiske angrepet på aktivistene kom etter at aktivistene arrangerte en fredelig sit-in i havneområdet i protest mot at Egypt krevde at 25% av konvoien måtte passere gjennom Israel.
BBC melder at en egyptisk soldat ble drept under opptøyer ved grensa mellom Egypt og Gaza. Opptøyene skal ha oppstått da det var demonstrasjoner på den palestinske sida, der folk utålmodig har ventet på Viva Palestina-konvoien. Steinkasting over grensa fra palestinske demonstranter skal ha utløst egyptisk skarp ild tilbake, og flere palestinere skal ha blitt såret.
Over 50 av kjøretøyene i konvoien vil ikke slippe inn i Gaza, men lasten skal komme inn direkte fra Egypt, ikke via Israel slik Egypt først krevde av konvoien.
Talspersonen Alice Howard i Viva Palestina har sendt ut denne meldingen etter at konvoien var klarert for adgang til Gaza:
Press Release 6th January
Viva Palestina Break the siege of Gaza!
After days of pressure imposed by the Egyptian authorities the Viva Palestina Convoy have 'triumphantly' entered Gaza this evening!
Despite being attacked by Egyptian riot police at the port of Al Arish last night, the 'strong willed' convoy of humanitarians from all over the world carrying much needed medical aid to the people of Gaza went ahead and was greeted with cheers from hundreds of well-wishers carrying flowers, warm smiles and chanting Viva Palestina!
Having agreed to Egyptian demands, the convoy of 500 people re-routed their journey from Aqaba in Jordan (some seven days ago), after receiving guarantees of a safe passage to Gaza. The recent actions of the Egyptian police are shameful.
Earlier today at the Rafah border violence broke out as hundreds of Palestinians began throwing stones across the border at Egyptian security forces, who then fired back at the protesters. This was in retaliation to the way the activists were treated by Egyptian police.
Viva Palestina convoy leader Kevin Ovenden says - 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.
The convoy aimed to cross the Rafah border into Gaza on 27 December 2009, to mark the first anniversary of the beginning of Israel’s 2008/9 land and air assault on Gaza, which killed 1,400 Palestinians in three weeks.
The Viva Palestina convoy is partnered with the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and departed London on December 6 2009 and have travelled nearly 5,000 miles. The convoy has received a phenomenal support (since departing London), through it's route, Europe, Turkey, Syria and Jordan.
For further information on the Viva Palestina Gaza Aid Convoy visit vivapalestina.org
Press information from Alice Howard on Tel: 07944 512 469 or via email:
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--------------------- Alice Howard Viva Palestina UK - Administration Manager Tel: +447944 512 469 Email:
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Website: http://www.vivapalestina.org/
