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9:10am Saturday 26th December 2009 in
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)
albion
says...
12:01pm Sat 26 Dec 09
spinnekop wrote: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.
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.
Iona Cortina
says...
12:12pm Sat 26 Dec 09
spinnekop wrote: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.
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.
outspoken
says...
1:03pm Sat 26 Dec 09
albion
says...
10:05am Sun 27 Dec 09
Iona Cortina wrote:Hmm, Beware of exploding underpants!
spinnekop wrote: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.
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.
.
The despicable and terrorist government of Israel relishes in the suffering of the innocents. The sick and murderous animals that they are.
The_Realist
says...
12:32pm Sun 27 Dec 09
webess
says...
12:44pm Sun 27 Dec 09
albion
says...
12:58pm Sun 27 Dec 09
webess wrote:See my last posting, that would do it.
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.
Iona Cortina
says...
2:48pm Sun 27 Dec 09
The_Realist wrote:The Zionist entity seems to be pushing everyone a bit too far recently.
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!
lonniejockstrap
says...
3:56pm Sun 27 Dec 09
webess wrote: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.
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...
4:10pm Sun 27 Dec 09
Iona Cortina wrote: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.
The_Realist wrote:The Zionist entity seems to be pushing everyone a bit too far recently.
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!
.
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 :)
denis court
says...
4:23pm Sun 27 Dec 09
Iona Cortina wrote: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
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 :)
webess
says...
4:31pm Sun 27 Dec 09
webess
says...
4:36pm Sun 27 Dec 09
Iona Cortina wrote:Is your mate Ahmadinejad going to develop magical nukes which will wipe Israel of the map but leave neighbouring Gaza untouched?
The_Realist wrote:The Zionist entity seems to be pushing everyone a bit too far recently.
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!
.
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 :)
bluecorner100
says...
4:55pm Sun 27 Dec 09
Mr Potato
says...
5:13pm Sun 27 Dec 09
Iona Cortina
says...
5:30pm Sun 27 Dec 09
webess wrote: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.
Iona Cortina wrote:Is your mate Ahmadinejad going to develop magical nukes which will wipe Israel of the map but leave neighbouring Gaza untouched?
The_Realist wrote:The Zionist entity seems to be pushing everyone a bit too far recently.
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!
.
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 :)
PS Are you also suggesting your mate Ahmadinejad is a liar, because he denies he's developing weapons?
webess
says...
6:13pm Sun 27 Dec 09
Iona Cortina wrote: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?
webess wrote: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.
Iona Cortina wrote:Is your mate Ahmadinejad going to develop magical nukes which will wipe Israel of the map but leave neighbouring Gaza untouched?
The_Realist wrote:The Zionist entity seems to be pushing everyone a bit too far recently.
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!
.
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 :)
PS Are you also suggesting your mate Ahmadinejad is a liar, because he denies he's developing weapons?
.
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) :)
outspoken
says...
6:37pm Sun 27 Dec 09
t'old man
says...
6:59pm Sun 27 Dec 09
Iona Cortina wrote: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 ?
webess wrote: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) :)Iona Cortina wrote: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?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 :)
denis court
says...
11:16am Mon 28 Dec 09
bluecorner100 wrote: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.
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
cheelvis
says...
11:23am Mon 28 Dec 09
Iona Cortina
says...
1:47pm Mon 28 Dec 09
webess wrote:'Brave' people ? - lol, don't make me laugh. They're Zionist-backed idiots who are deliberately causing mayhem on the streets of Iran.
Iona Cortina wrote: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?
webess wrote: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.
Iona Cortina wrote:Is your mate Ahmadinejad going to develop magical nukes which will wipe Israel of the map but leave neighbouring Gaza untouched?
The_Realist wrote:The Zionist entity seems to be pushing everyone a bit too far recently.
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!
.
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 :)
PS Are you also suggesting your mate Ahmadinejad is a liar, because he denies he's developing weapons?
.
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) :)
denis court
says...
8:08pm Tue 29 Dec 09
outspoken
says...
8:40pm Thu 31 Dec 09
denis court wrote: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
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
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spinnekop says...
11:19am Sat 26 Dec 09
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.