The convoy was
subsequently challenged by the Egyptian resistance to the 3 kidnapped convoy
members rejoining the convoy, this because they had not flown in with the
chartered jet from Libya.
This was not possible however because of their inability to get new passports
after having been separated from them against their will. Importantly, Egypt had approved travel to Gaza for all 3 of these convoy members just
days before.
Being unable to
negotiate the return of the kidnapped convoy members to the convoy they were
compelled to jump into the vans when they proceeded from El Arish Port to
Rafah. When the Egyptian authorities realized that these convoy members were
among the entire convoy group at Rafah, they announced that these three would
not be able to reach Gaza.
Among these members was Ken O’Keefe, convoy leader and survivor of the Israeli
attack on the Mavi Marmara. With the entire convoy standing firm, the Egyptian
authorities reversed their decision after several hours and the entire convoy
passed through to Gaza.
After a demanding
and very long 7 week journey the convoy members have been given just over two
days to stay in Gaza or risk joining the
imprisoned population of Gaza;
this is typical of the Egyptian control of the Rafah Crossing. 13members of
the convoy were blacklisted by Egypt,
including a seventy-year-old children’s entertainer and magician from Wales who was transporting toys for the children
of Gaza. Also
blacklisted was a Scottish national who has never left Scotland and
has no affiliation with any organization, along with a 19 year-old British
national, again with no associations that could be considered prohibitive.
Several survivors of the Mavi Marmara were banned, along with British/Pakistani
nationals and previous convoy members. This trend makes it harder and harder
for people to support Palestine and should be
considered a part of the overall blockade of Gaza.
The convoy members
will do their best to experience as much of Gaza as possible and share with the world the
reality of life for people entering four years of a brutal collective
punishment policy. The vehicles and aid will be distributed to various
charities and organizations that are doing invaluable work. Among the aid is
medical equipment and medicines, wheel chairs, crutches, toys, clothes
footballs and shoes.
Ken O’Keefe will
remain in Gaza for 40 days (or longer if
imprisoned) and begin daily video reports focusing on the children of Gaza. These will be
posted at his Facebook and Twitter accounts and his blog.
R2H Facts - The
Road to Hope humanitarian aid convoy left London
on the 10th of October with £500,000 of humanitarian aid for the
besieged people of the Gaza Strip. The convoy travelled with over 100 members
and 32 vehicles over 5,000 miles through the UK,
France, Spain, Morocco,
Algeria, Tunisia and Libya
and Egypt.
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