(Photo from http://www.vivapalestina-us.org/)
Viva Palestina, a convoy of US human rights activists has entered Gaza with truckloads of humanitarian aid. The delegation has over 200 people, and is a follow up trip to one led by British MP George Galloway last March. This delegation includes Vietnam vet Ron Kovic, New York City Council member Charles Barron and Cynthia McKinney.
Details are still unclear on how much aid got in. Although Viva Palestina's website reports that they had over "over one million dollars worth of aide" to bring in, Egypt may not have allowed all of it to enter. As has happened on other delegations to Gaza, Egypt created serious obstacles for the convoy as it attempted to enter Gaza, but they got through.
Presstv is reporting that the convoy is only allowed to stay in Gaza for 24 hours, so it might be a short stay. Regardless, the siege has been broken – if only for a day.
Update - The International Middle East Media Center is reporting that no aid was allowed in Gaza. From the IMEMC:
The Egyptian Authorities stopped trucks of the Viva Palestina aid convoy from entering the Gaza Strip and allowed the crew 24 hours access.
The Palestinian Information Center reported that the crew will be allowed into the Gaza Strip for only 24 hours and the aid supplies will stay at the Egyptian side of the borders.
The Viva Palestina arrived to Egypt on Sunday. On Monday, the caravan members were met by British MP George Galloway, who organized the aid campaign, and US former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, who was deported from Israel last Wednesday while attempting to bring several tons of aid to Gaza by boat.
The convoy of humanitarian aid from the U.S includes 47 vehicles, tons of medical supplies, and 120 caravan participants.
Update – Here is a Presstv report showing the convoy entering Gaza. George Galloway says that they were forced to leave more than half of the aid behind in Egypt:
They look scary. Are you sure they are human rights activists? They look they are prepping for Palestinian soccer match.
They must be Palestinians, Palestinians must look scary, Richard.
Look at the HAMAS cheer
Yeah. Unlike the wild-eyed, tefillin-wearing Nazi settlers in the Occupied Territories. They really put one's mind at ease.
Palestinians yelling with eyes bulging out, look scary, yes.
This is great. Viva Palestina!
Do they have to rattle their Star-Spangled Cat o' Nine Tails. What' up with that? I get enough of that on Fox.
perhaps an uzi or two would be more reassuring.
Notice the small map in the left-hand corner. It's all included under the Islamic state. Now repeat after Weiss: all the Palestinians want is a return to the 67 borders, all the Palestinians want is a return to the 67 borders, all the Palestinians want is a return to the 67 borders, … Maybe if you say it enough you'll believe it.
The IDF has a habit of murdering scary Palestinian children. The IDF gets terrified of those scary kids.
They're happy because they got through, Witty, jeez…
Can't say what Hamas wants. What I want is for all refugees to be allowed to go home. I think that makes Palestinians a majority in both Israel and the OT.
Yes. Viva Palestina!
According to the article, Witty, they are "US human rights activists", and they could just as easily be Jewish as Arab.
Repeat after the Zionists: all the Jews want is "return" to the 1948, 67, whatever, borders (after expelling the indigenous people, which is not the point). I like how the Zionists are losing it nowadays on blogs and social networking sites.
Scary? Check out some video clips on YouTube of settlers and orthodox jews. Now that's scary!
Stop being sour Eitan. I know you love to see palestinians suffer and starve, but more civilized people do not.
You don't know what I love or don't love. I do see some happy terrorists in the pic though.
There is a land of Israel, there is no palestine. Just a Roman contraption All the Zionists want is greater Israel.
Oh – and a world wide Jewish conspiracy.
RE: "Viva Palestina convoy of US activists breaks the siege of Gaza…." *** Rachel Corrie Soccer Tournament Fundraiser *** What: A community soccer tournament in the Yebna neighborhood of Rafah, Gaza. Why: Cut off from the world by a brutal siege, the people of the Gaza strip live with hunger, massive unemployment, and frequent attacks by the Israeli army. Stress and anger lead to hopelessness and rage, with the youth being particularly vulnerable. This innovative, community-developed soccer tournament gives neighbors a chance to strengthen bonds and relieve the stress caused by the dire situation. When: The month of Ramadan, August 21st – September 14th. Funds Needed: $10,500 U.S. / Fundraiser Ends: August 3oth *** MORE INFO - http://www.palestinereview.org/Rachel_Corrie_Socc...
How do you know they're terrorists Eitan? i don't see any IDF uniforms anywhere.
When I'm happy, I smile.
I understand that they will hang a flat body in the goal post to represent corrie. Fitting display.
Anti-Semite
"I understand that they will hang a flat body in the goal post to represent corrie. Fitting display." It's nice of you to loan them your sex doll for the say bluebeard. Do you think you'll miss it?
Islamophobe.
Self hating Jew, traitor, enemy of the Jewish nation. Terrorist lover. Betrayer. No Moral Compass. Lost. Siding with the enemies of your own people. Causing harm to your own people. Shaming your ancestors.
As soon as all the indigenous people around get to go back to their original homes, sure. That would include the Native Americans (in the US and Canada), the Aborigines, the Natives of South America, various ethnic groups which have been displaced in China by the Han (Uighurs, Tibetans, etc.), the original Polynesian inhabitants of Taiwan, and so on. Since you're going to grant this right to anyone who's related to the original refugees (given that most of the real refugees have died), we're looking at some serious population migrations. I say we start with your home. When are you leaving?
Goy-hater
That flat body is Anne Frank's.
They look like Jews I've known.
Me too–cheering for the home tear in the bleachers.
I'm so glad the convoy got through, even if half of it was held behind at Alexandria. I have two friends who are in Gaza with Viva Palestina now, and we're making preparations for them to do speaking tours in the Boston area when they return, as part of an effort to raise awareness (cliche, I know) about the blockade, the aims of the Viva Palestina program, and to fund-raise for future convoys. I expect members of the convoy from other areas of the country will be doing the same with activists in their respective networks, so keep your eyes peeled for upcoming Viva Palestina speaking engagements!
Both disgusting comments unworthy of placement in a thread under a heading about the Viva Palestina convoy, its goals, the selfless people working in it, and the resolute Gazans it aims to bring much-needed aid to. You should both be ashamed.
Eitan, What are Jews here for? To be a nation of priests, a light unto the nations. You can't do that, by not doing that. Even if you take the position that the instruction to "love thy neighbor as thyself" applies only to fellow Jews, you're not doing that. There are two meanings that I discern from that phrase "be a light unto the nations". That is either: 1. Be a model of a community that truly loves its fellow men (rather than abuses them) or 2. Live a life of individual and collective service TO other nations, of which one's own health and safety are at best a means to that life of service. I'm open to other explanations. But, I don't hear it from you, or from anyone that you recommend as comprising a fully valid alternative interpretation, tested by YOUR application in practice. We don't need more suicide bombers, individuals that walk into a crowded room and attempt to destroy it. We need more that actually transform a room, from mutual hostility to mutual some basis of respect.
I am happy to see at least some of the aid getting through. Of course, it isn't enough. Eitan: could you tell me why footballs and crayons aren't allowed into Gaza? Mubarak seems to be doing Israel's bidding here. A dangerous ploy for his successor.
And there is a different possible meaning, the duty to fight the sons of darkness. The ones that don't smile when they are successful, people that raise the Boris Becker victory fist, and shout out just like him. http://breakingthesilence.org.il/oferet/testimoni... Was there any mention of the Palestinians? What did he say about them? Another point that came up was when that rabbi said we are actually conducting the war of 'the sons of light' against 'the sons of darkness.' This is in fact a statement with highly messianic language. This is war that prepares the way for final redemption. This is outrageous in itself. Again, we witness a language that is not acceptable to all present, definitely a legitimate view and as such I have no problem with it. But it must not receive any kind of official stamp, it must not be used within any military framework. It is just like a political view. But the more disturbing point even, than this theological point, is its demonization of the other side. It turns the other side as a generality into 'sons of darkness' while we become 'sons of light.' There is no differentiation which we would expect to find between civilians and others. Namely, here is one people fighting another people, with all the messianic implications. But that's the point: this is also religious propaganda. In other words, the army is not a revival meeting. This is not the reason people enlist. They do not put on a uniform in order to be Judaized and be reborn in the faith.
not really Edwin, there were 650,000 Palestinian refugees, over 6 million Jews in Israel. And I am sure you are referring to the 950,000 Jews were were displaced, will they be allowed to return to their Arab homelands? and the OTs already have a Palestinian majority.
I agree you are both sick fucks, more so bluebeard. redbeard was just being reactionary, bluebeard was being a dipshit.
There's no antisemitism on this site, right? Who was the last idiot to say so?
Thank You. As for the convoy, they shouldn't get too comfortable. Last time, the Egyptian authorities forced them to leave half of the aid behind 'to be transported by the Red Cross'. In reality, it was all looted by the Egyptian authorities
To believe that oneself is better than someone else is properly classified as a form of racism.
Mubarak is doing his own bidding. He must keeps the fascist elements of arab nationalism out of Egypt.
The map issue is important. This movement is an expansionist movement, if the map is representative, a denial of Israel's existence. It is unfortunate that Phil and Adam point out maps in single Israeli travel brochures as expropriative, but ignore this.
More dishonest DRIVEL from Witty. The Palestinians, including Hamas, will agree to an Israeli state on the pre-June '67 borders and this is quite obviously enforceable, especially given the world's lone superpower is Israel's primary benefactor. To this, Israel has ALWAYS given an emphatic "NO!" How about cutting the bullshit for once in your miserable life?
Maps aside, Witty…are the Palestinians invading Israel, terrorizing Israel's farmers to drive them off their land, stealing Israel's water resources, uprooting Israel's olive trees, demolishing israeli homes with US-supplied bulldozers, buildings Arab-only roads on Israeli land and city-sized arab-only "settlements" on israeli land or is it precisely the opposite, Mr. genius?
The question was about this dissenting group, that Medea Benjamin, Cynthia McKinney and Ron Kovic are part of. They probably aren't advocating for a Palestinian single state, and ignore the map.
The Viva Palestina convoy met with Hamas officials while in Gaza today. Check out the full story here: http://contemporaryantisemitism.blogspot.com/2009...
Wonderful to see my friends celebrating in Gaza. They are receiving the same warm welcome as I got when I arrived last August aboard the FREE GAZA, the first boat to enter the Port of Gaza in over 41 years.
You sound so much like a Nazi Eitan. You must get told that a lot.
There were 800,000 refugees. Not even a million Jews in Palestine in 1048. In fact there are not that many Jews in Israel even today. You shouldn't lie so much Yoni.
I thing that the 950,000 Jews that were displaced should be allowed to return and if they don't want to, they get full compensation. Refugees from all places should be repatriated
He's a self confessed Jewish extremist (look at his profile). Do we expect any better?
Zionism is based on Jews returning after two-thousand years of exile and you have the nerve to throw out this laundry list?