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Mercy mission from Bradford with 45 volunteers is set to cross the border from Egypt to Gaza


A mercy convoy from Bradford carrying £250,000 of medical supplies was due to reach the border crossing from Egypt to Gaza today.

A total of 45 travellers from Bradford, who are part of the Viva Palestina group, are taking four ambulances and ten trucks full of medical equipment to the Palestinian community. At the start of this week, members of the convoy had reached Amman, in Jordan, and were confident of reaching the Rafah crossing from Egypt into Gaza on Boxing Day.

They have been joined by 1,300 others in more than 220 vehicles from 43 countries including Malaysia, Australia, Belgian, Turkey and Poland, on their 16-day journey.

The group took a two-day break in the luxury Sahara hotel in Damascus before leaving for Jordan, on Tuesday, December 22.

Previously, they have had to sleep in their cabs overnight, often in freezing conditions.

Crowds have been gathering by the roadside to wish the travellers well on their journey, handing out red roses.

The tour organiser, Kevin Ovenden, said one Turkish woman pawned her wedding ring to contribute to the convoy’s expenses.

In Damascus, they met with some of the 150,000 Palestinian refugees who are stranded in Syria and Lebanon. The convoy was held up for hours on the border between Syria and Jordan as the authorities demanded that it stay away from the Jordanian capital, Amman.

After a stand-off of over six hours, the convoyers were allowed to proceed with their original plans.

The Bradford team are organising a big welcome for the travellers when they fly back to UK.

Karl Dallas said: “Date and venue cannot be fixed until we know when they get into the strip, where they plan to stay for three days, but it will be a big event in Bradford’s New Year calendar. We are negotiating with some very big names from the world of sport and showbusiness to attend and show the depth of support from ordinary people for the people of Gaza.”

Comments(25)

spinnekop says...
11:19am Sat 26 Dec 09

What really scares me about this story is the way all this energy and compassion is being given from the heart of the givers while here, in this land, this 'Gods own country' of Yorkshire there are generations of children and now adults who feel dispossesed, cannot read write or speak english, have no chance in this land.

This land of ours and its rich culture has so much to share. It breaks my heart to see those born here cast aside this quiet gentle gift and isolate themselves.

This isn't about geopolitical flag waiving. This is Yorkshire.

Open your eyes, drink in the light as it falls on this heratige.

Home is where your tears fall.

albion says...
12:01pm Sat 26 Dec 09

spinnekop wrote:
What really scares me about this story is the way all this energy and compassion is being given from the heart of the givers while here, in this land, this 'Gods own country' of Yorkshire there are generations of children and now adults who feel dispossesed, cannot read write or speak english, have no chance in this land.

This land of ours and its rich culture has so much to share. It breaks my heart to see those born here cast aside this quiet gentle gift and isolate themselves.

This isn't about geopolitical flag waiving. This is Yorkshire.

Open your eyes, drink in the light as it falls on this heratige.

Home is where your tears fall.
Very true, but that is the responsibility of the government to put its own people first (which it doesnt on some occasions), this is a group of individuals (some of whom represent organisations) who are taking overseas aid to somewhere that they have perceived it to be needed, in some cases their motives might not be adjudged as unbiased but it is still helping the needy.

Iona Cortina says...
12:12pm Sat 26 Dec 09

spinnekop wrote:
What really scares me about this story is the way all this energy and compassion is being given from the heart of the givers while here, in this land, this 'Gods own country' of Yorkshire there are generations of children and now adults who feel dispossesed, cannot read write or speak english, have no chance in this land.

This land of ours and its rich culture has so much to share. It breaks my heart to see those born here cast aside this quiet gentle gift and isolate themselves.

This isn't about geopolitical flag waiving. This is Yorkshire.

Open your eyes, drink in the light as it falls on this heratige.

Home is where your tears fall.
Since when have the children of this country been subjected to murder and destruction on a mass scale ? - since when have bombs been dropped on them from F-16s (supplied by the 'free' world) ? - I would urge you to re-think what you're saying, and have some compassion for what's happening in Gaza.
.
The despicable and terrorist government of Israel relishes in the suffering of the innocents. The sick and murderous animals that they are.

outspoken says...
1:03pm Sat 26 Dec 09

Right now the aid convoy is not being allowed to cross through eygpt untill Israel allow it.the way things are right know politics has taken over this mercy mission and created an obstacle.

albion says...
10:05am Sun 27 Dec 09

Iona Cortina wrote:
spinnekop wrote:
What really scares me about this story is the way all this energy and compassion is being given from the heart of the givers while here, in this land, this 'Gods own country' of Yorkshire there are generations of children and now adults who feel dispossesed, cannot read write or speak english, have no chance in this land.

This land of ours and its rich culture has so much to share. It breaks my heart to see those born here cast aside this quiet gentle gift and isolate themselves.

This isn't about geopolitical flag waiving. This is Yorkshire.

Open your eyes, drink in the light as it falls on this heratige.

Home is where your tears fall.
Since when have the children of this country been subjected to murder and destruction on a mass scale ? - since when have bombs been dropped on them from F-16s (supplied by the 'free' world) ? - I would urge you to re-think what you're saying, and have some compassion for what's happening in Gaza.
.
The despicable and terrorist government of Israel relishes in the suffering of the innocents. The sick and murderous animals that they are.
Hmm, Beware of exploding underpants!

The_Realist says...
12:32pm Sun 27 Dec 09

Wow! What a story! Shows there is still some good in the world!

Bradford should be proud of itself today! ! !

VIVA PALESTINE!

TO HELL WITH ISREAL! IS-NOT-REAL!

webess says...
12:44pm Sun 27 Dec 09

Gaza has one of the highest populations growths in the world even though it's almost entirely dependant on foreign aid (mainly western).

The best thing we could send would be family planning guidance.

albion says...
12:58pm Sun 27 Dec 09

webess wrote:
Gaza has one of the highest populations growths in the world even though it's almost entirely dependant on foreign aid (mainly western).

The best thing we could send would be family planning guidance.
See my last posting, that would do it.

Iona Cortina says...
2:48pm Sun 27 Dec 09

The_Realist wrote:
Wow! What a story! Shows there is still some good in the world!

Bradford should be proud of itself today! ! !

VIVA PALESTINE!

TO HELL WITH ISREAL! IS-NOT-REAL!
The Zionist entity seems to be pushing everyone a bit too far recently.
.
Well there's good news on the horizon; Iran's going to be nuclear very soon, and we'll see how the Nazi State of Israel will react to that :)

lonniejockstrap says...
3:56pm Sun 27 Dec 09

webess wrote:
Gaza has one of the highest populations growths in the world even though it's almost entirely dependant on foreign aid (mainly western). The best thing we could send would be family planning guidance.
Israel would probably not exist without 'foreign Aid', so I wouldn't be too critical of the poor Palestians when looking for people to disrespect.
.
Please provide us with the information on all this 'foreign aid (mainly western)' apart from that to be provided in the future -as stated below. Here is some info I have provided for you:

'A Conservative Estimate of Total Direct U.S. Aid to Israel: Almost $114 Billion'
Shirl McArthur
Washington Report on Middle East Affairs
November 2008, pages 10-11
.
Yitzhak Benhorin Published: 12.18.09, 22:28 / Israel News

'Jewish state receives $2.775 billion as part of agreement granting it $30 billion in coming decade; Palestinians get $500 million FOR THE FIIST TIME'
.
WASHINGTON – US President Barack Obama this week signed the 2010 foreign aid budget law which includes $2.775 billion in security aid to Israel. This is the second year the budget is transferred to the Jewish state as part of understandings that the American assistance to Israel in the coming decade will total $30 billion.
.
The approved budget comprises, for the first time, $500 million in aid to the Palestinian Authority, including $100 million for the training of Palestinian security forces by American general Keith Dayton.

albion says...
4:10pm Sun 27 Dec 09

Iona Cortina wrote:
The_Realist wrote:
Wow! What a story! Shows there is still some good in the world!

Bradford should be proud of itself today! ! !

VIVA PALESTINE!

TO HELL WITH ISREAL! IS-NOT-REAL!
The Zionist entity seems to be pushing everyone a bit too far recently.
.
Well there's good news on the horizon; Iran's going to be nuclear very soon, and we'll see how the Nazi State of Israel will react to that :)
If you look at what is happening in Iran today anyone with any sense wouldnt want THAT regime to start a nuclear war (It would be suicidal anyway, you dont start things like that on your own doorstep) or issuing even more threats.
This thread though is about an aid convoy and isnt here for you to promote your fundamentalist spam, but then that is your sole purpose here (every time a local soldier is killed, every time local crime and wrongdoing is mentioned, every time Israel or an Islamic state is mentioned there you are with your predictable, miserable, provocative and frankly boring comments), if you feel that strongly about these things why dont you go out to the relevant places and do something about it instead of bleating on like a goat about to be ritually slaughtered?
You know as well as anyone what would happen to Israel if it didnt stand up for itself ( although it has to be admitted that some of their land grabs should be reversed) and you also know that BOTH sides in this particular dispute have been guilty of war crimes.
Apologies to OTHER readers for straying from the topic.

denis court says...
4:23pm Sun 27 Dec 09

Iona Cortina wrote:
The_Realist wrote: Wow! What a story! Shows there is still some good in the world! Bradford should be proud of itself today! ! ! VIVA PALESTINE! TO HELL WITH ISREAL! IS-NOT-REAL!
The Zionist entity seems to be pushing everyone a bit too far recently. . Well there's good news on the horizon; Iran's going to be nuclear very soon, and we'll see how the Nazi State of Israel will react to that :)
Well the idiot racist; I own a Braincell has outdone himself thinking Iran going nuclear is good news. There used to be a word for the likes of him in this country: traitor

webess says...
4:31pm Sun 27 Dec 09

Is your mate Ahmadinejad going to develop magical nukes which will wipe Israel of the map but leave neighbouring Gaza untouched?

webess says...
4:36pm Sun 27 Dec 09

Iona Cortina wrote:
The_Realist wrote:
Wow! What a story! Shows there is still some good in the world!

Bradford should be proud of itself today! ! !

VIVA PALESTINE!

TO HELL WITH ISREAL! IS-NOT-REAL!
The Zionist entity seems to be pushing everyone a bit too far recently.
.
Well there's good news on the horizon; Iran's going to be nuclear very soon, and we'll see how the Nazi State of Israel will react to that :)
Is your mate Ahmadinejad going to develop magical nukes which will wipe Israel of the map but leave neighbouring Gaza untouched?

PS Are you also suggesting your mate Ahmadinejad is a liar, because he denies he's developing weapons?

bluecorner100 says...
4:55pm Sun 27 Dec 09

Great cause!

3 Palestinians have died for every 1 Israeli in this long running conflict (Not to mention the amount of land the Israeli's have illegally annexed - UN have ruled it illegal occupation).

Hopefully that shows you who the oppressed are and who the oppressors are in this conflict

Mr Potato says...
5:13pm Sun 27 Dec 09

the Bradford group is led by our local hero Arshad Ali of the Respect Party in Bradford. the man had the vision in january to found the charity and put together other heroes from our region and he led the first convoy. he has been an inspiration to hundreds of our citizens and is the kind of role model bradford needed. well done bradford team well done. viva palestina.

it shows that when push comes to shove bradford can produce the best and bring out the best when needed.
maybe this can bring about some respectability to our region after the bradford riots fiasco.

Iona Cortina says...
5:30pm Sun 27 Dec 09

webess wrote:
Iona Cortina wrote:
The_Realist wrote:
Wow! What a story! Shows there is still some good in the world!

Bradford should be proud of itself today! ! !

VIVA PALESTINE!

TO HELL WITH ISREAL! IS-NOT-REAL!
The Zionist entity seems to be pushing everyone a bit too far recently.
.
Well there's good news on the horizon; Iran's going to be nuclear very soon, and we'll see how the Nazi State of Israel will react to that :)
Is your mate Ahmadinejad going to develop magical nukes which will wipe Israel of the map but leave neighbouring Gaza untouched?

PS Are you also suggesting your mate Ahmadinejad is a liar, because he denies he's developing weapons?
Ah, another Israeli terrorist supporter.. no-where has Iran said it would 'wipe Israel off the map'. That was all BS by the Zionists themselves to shore up public opinion against Tehran. If you don't believe that, show me (and others), word for word, exactly what Ahmadinejad said.
.
And re. what I think of him, that's irrelevant; what *is* relevant is that Iran should use all means to protect itself (especially when there's a rabid dog on the loose, in the shape of the Nazi State of Israel) :)

webess says...
6:13pm Sun 27 Dec 09

Iona Cortina wrote:
webess wrote:
Iona Cortina wrote:
The_Realist wrote:
Wow! What a story! Shows there is still some good in the world!

Bradford should be proud of itself today! ! !

VIVA PALESTINE!

TO HELL WITH ISREAL! IS-NOT-REAL!
The Zionist entity seems to be pushing everyone a bit too far recently.
.
Well there's good news on the horizon; Iran's going to be nuclear very soon, and we'll see how the Nazi State of Israel will react to that :)
Is your mate Ahmadinejad going to develop magical nukes which will wipe Israel of the map but leave neighbouring Gaza untouched?

PS Are you also suggesting your mate Ahmadinejad is a liar, because he denies he's developing weapons?
Ah, another Israeli terrorist supporter.. no-where has Iran said it would 'wipe Israel off the map'. That was all BS by the Zionists themselves to shore up public opinion against Tehran. If you don't believe that, show me (and others), word for word, exactly what Ahmadinejad said.
.
And re. what I think of him, that's irrelevant; what *is* relevant is that Iran should use all means to protect itself (especially when there's a rabid dog on the loose, in the shape of the Nazi State of Israel) :)
Would you support a convoy in aid of the brave people of Iran who're currently fighting off the Nazi regime of your mate Ahmadinejad?

outspoken says...
6:37pm Sun 27 Dec 09

Anyone who has doubts of who is being oppressed should log onto youtube and contemplate for yourselves the suffering that has and is being caused.Images of children with their limbs scattered on the ground will fill even the hardharted on this thread with tears....Praise Viva Palestina for showing that there is still humanity in British folk

t'old man says...
6:59pm Sun 27 Dec 09

Iona Cortina wrote:
webess wrote:
Iona Cortina wrote:
The_Realist wrote: Wow! What a story! Shows there is still some good in the world! Bradford should be proud of itself today! ! ! VIVA PALESTINE! TO HELL WITH ISREAL! IS-NOT-REAL!
The Zionist entity seems to be pushing everyone a bit too far recently. . Well there's good news on the horizon; Iran's going to be nuclear very soon, and we'll see how the Nazi State of Israel will react to that :)
Is your mate Ahmadinejad going to develop magical nukes which will wipe Israel of the map but leave neighbouring Gaza untouched? PS Are you also suggesting your mate Ahmadinejad is a liar, because he denies he's developing weapons?
Ah, another Israeli terrorist supporter.. no-where has Iran said it would 'wipe Israel off the map'. That was all BS by the Zionists themselves to shore up public opinion against Tehran. If you don't believe that, show me (and others), word for word, exactly what Ahmadinejad said. . And re. what I think of him, that's irrelevant; what *is* relevant is that Iran should use all means to protect itself (especially when there's a rabid dog on the loose, in the shape of the Nazi State of Israel) :)
why dont you pack up and go live in Iran then ???? can you imagine being able to have the freedom of speech people such as you unfortunately have living here ?

denis court says...
11:16am Mon 28 Dec 09

bluecorner100 wrote:
Great cause! 3 Palestinians have died for every 1 Israeli in this long running conflict (Not to mention the amount of land the Israeli's have illegally annexed - UN have ruled it illegal occupation). Hopefully that shows you who the oppressed are and who the oppressors are in this conflict
But the Palestinians don't value life anywhere like the Israelis do. Hence. the Israelis trading the body of one of their dead soldiers for scores of Palestian unemployed.

Does Dinnerjacket listen to the UN?

cheelvis says...
11:23am Mon 28 Dec 09

Makes me sick...... typical of this hole that we live in , send aid to some place and ignore the problems and those that need help in this country,

funding terrorism , nothing else. Just look at your picture, enough said i think

Iona Cortina says...
1:47pm Mon 28 Dec 09

webess wrote:
Iona Cortina wrote:
webess wrote:
Iona Cortina wrote:
The_Realist wrote:
Wow! What a story! Shows there is still some good in the world!

Bradford should be proud of itself today! ! !

VIVA PALESTINE!

TO HELL WITH ISREAL! IS-NOT-REAL!
The Zionist entity seems to be pushing everyone a bit too far recently.
.
Well there's good news on the horizon; Iran's going to be nuclear very soon, and we'll see how the Nazi State of Israel will react to that :)
Is your mate Ahmadinejad going to develop magical nukes which will wipe Israel of the map but leave neighbouring Gaza untouched?

PS Are you also suggesting your mate Ahmadinejad is a liar, because he denies he's developing weapons?
Ah, another Israeli terrorist supporter.. no-where has Iran said it would 'wipe Israel off the map'. That was all BS by the Zionists themselves to shore up public opinion against Tehran. If you don't believe that, show me (and others), word for word, exactly what Ahmadinejad said.
.
And re. what I think of him, that's irrelevant; what *is* relevant is that Iran should use all means to protect itself (especially when there's a rabid dog on the loose, in the shape of the Nazi State of Israel) :)
Would you support a convoy in aid of the brave people of Iran who're currently fighting off the Nazi regime of your mate Ahmadinejad?
'Brave' people ? - lol, don't make me laugh. They're Zionist-backed idiots who are deliberately causing mayhem on the streets of Iran.
.
And again, if you're talking about Nazi regimes, all you need to do is take a look at Tel Aviv. That's the epitome of a cold-blooded, murderous monster.

denis court says...
8:08pm Tue 29 Dec 09

How come no women support viva palestinia, or aren't they allowed an opinion?

cut crime in Bradford, keep the 'good lads' in and let the women out

outspoken says...
8:40pm Thu 31 Dec 09

denis court wrote:
How come no women support viva palestinia, or aren't they allowed an opinion? cut crime in Bradford, keep the 'good lads' in and let the women out
What makes you think no women support this cause. You should log on to the viva palestina website and see for yourselve women ,men , muslims, christians ,sikhs and jews are on the convoy


The Gaza convoy is set to reach the border The Gaza convoy is set to reach the border

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