Free Gaza Boat Sailing Today

On Friday, November 7, the SS DIGNITY leaves at 5:00 pm from Larnaca to Gaza. This time, thirteen members of the European Parliament from the England, Ireland, Italy, Turkey, Wales, Switzerland, and Scotland are on board.

After two successful voyages, one in August and one last week, members of the Free Gaza Movement are pleased to bring yet another delegation to Gaza to see for themselves the devastation Israel has meted out to 1.5 million Palestinians.

“Our dream two years ago was to bring people to Gaza to witness what Israel is doing. This time, we are honored to have Parliamentarians from the world community coming with us,” said Mary Hughes Thompson, one of the original Free Gaza Movement organizers.

The Free Gaza Movement and the European Campaign to End the Siege have organized this voyage because Egypt refused 53 international Parliamentarians who were holding a conference in Gaza from November 8 – 11 from entering. Now, several of them are going to meet with their counterparts and assess the humanitarian situation there.

“Egypt did not allow us to enter Gaza via the Rafah terminal, but this will not stop us from visiting the area,” Lord Nazir Ahmad, head of the European delegates stated, “We will sail to Gaza, we are determined to break the siege.”

Ms Clare Short UK MP emphasized, “The Egyptian refusal to grant us access through Rafah Crossing is insulting to all of us, and Egypt should open the crossing now.”

The parliamentarians will visit hospitals and deliver a ton of medical supplies brought over by the DIGNITY. Hopefully they will be able to meet with many of the 700 students who have been denied the right to leave Gaza and study at universities that have already admitted them.

Dr. Arafat Shoukri of the European Campaign to End the Siege added, “We intend to deliver the medical supplies to the most vulnerable of the stricken population in the territory”.

“This journey will send a strong message to the world and is a direct challenge to the Israeli siege on Gaza. We hope this trip of Parliamentarians will be one of many to follow,” said Osama Qashoo, another Free Gaza Movement organizer.

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Greta Berlin
Media Team
Free Gaza Movement
357 99 08 17 67
www.freegaza.org
www.anis-online.de/office/

The UN OCHA office has released a report concerning the olive harvest in the West Bank and Gaza. It is now available for download and includes information on access to markets, ensuring protection, the West Bank barrier and quick facts about olive harvests in the West Bank.

Also available for download is the UN Humanitarian Monitor for September 2008. Highlights include information on movement access, protection of civilians, education, water & sanitation and humanitarian funding. And the UN update on closures and travel restrictions in Palestine.

Flooding in Gaza

From www.interpal.org

Due to the recent and devastating flooding which occured in Gaza, Interpal have launched an Emergency Gaza Flood Relief. The money will be used to aid the flood victims, primarily with food parcels and blankets, which have been in very high demand.

Please give generously to Emergency Gaza Flood Relief, for a people who have already endured so much suffering. Donations can be made online or by telephone 0208 961 9993.

If in Manchester - 284 Claremont Road, Mosside - 0161 227 9922
Birmingham - Unit 5, The Bordesley Centre, Stratford Road - 0121 772 7148

West Yorkshire, please donate in our office in Bradford, Leeds Road – 0788-6624-888
London – Willesdon Junction / North Acton – 0208 961 9993