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Viva Palestina remains stuck in Jordan
[Iran Press TV Latest] Viva Palestina aid convoy carrying humanitarian supplies to the besieged Gaza Strip remains stuck in Jordan while the medicines onboard are being spoiled in the desert heat. The convoy of 250 vehicles is stuck in the Jordanian port city of Aqaba awaiting a resolution to be passed between Viva Palestina organizers and Egyptian authorities that would allow the convoy enter the Gaza Strip, Press TV reported Sunday. "A new line of communication has been opened between Viva Palestina and the Egyptian government, but it doesn't necessarily mean these vehicles are going anywhere soon," said a Press TV correspondent. The negotiations aimed at seeking a resolution to allow aid convoys pass through specific crossings to the Gaza Strip. Israel and Egypt have kept their borders with the Gaza Strip closed since Hamas took power in the strip in June 2007. Meanwhile, British lawmaker George Galloway, one of the organizers of the Viva Palestina repeated an appeal to Cairo to allow the convoy easy access to Gaza. "I am appealing to anyone and everyone to help us reach Gaza," said the lawmaker. "Our medicines are in a race against the time of their expiry date and are spoiling in the desert sun whilst people in Gaza are in dire need for them," Galloway added. The aid convoy was scheduled to deliver medical, humanitarian and educational aid to Gazans on December 27, marking the first year anniversary of Israel's three-week war against the sliver. Cairo, however, blocked the convoy on Thursday from entering its borders at Nuweiba, saying the vehicles had to enter through the Mediterranean port city of El-Arish. "We are talking about 250 trucks passing along this critical territory [the Israeli-Egyptian border] -- it is technically so difficult to allow," Al-Jazeera quoted Maged Botros, a member of Egypt's ruling National Democratic Party as saying. He claimed that Cairo has 'every right' to specify the port through which Viva Palestina can enter its territory. Members of the convoy, however, told Al-Jazeera's website that travelling through the Suez Canal was not a viable option, as passengers are not allowed to go with cargo ships and that the port of El-Arish is too shallow to take the size of ship needed to transport the aid. Posted by: Fred 2009-12-28 |
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