British Convoy to Gaza for humanitarian aid (1 Viewer)

Il Re

-- 10 --
Jan 13, 2005
4,031
#1
Basically, a convoy for aid has launched today and will drive from london to gaza
my father has gone and taken with him a truck and his sailing yacht to give to the people, hopefully it all goes well




http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7889948.stm

Gaza-bound aid convoy leaving UK

Part of the British convoy preparing to leave London for Gaza
A convoy of 110 vehicles is leaving London for Gaza to deliver £1m of humanitarian aid.

Hundreds of volunteers will act as drivers during the mission, which is organised by umbrella body Viva Palestina and backed by Muslim groups.

Police confirmed that vehicles stopped on the M65 as part of an anti-terror operation were part of the convoy.

Its 5,000-mile route will pass through France, Spain, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Egypt.

Lancashire Constabulary said several vehicles stopped near Preston were part of the mission.

Three men are currently being held and are being questioned in connection with alleged terrorism offences overseas.

'Beleaguered population'

The Gaza Strip is facing a humanitarian crisis following Israel's recent three-week offensive.

About half of Gaza's population is dependent on UN food aid.

Other backers of the mission include the Stop the War Coalition, the Respect Party, the Anglo-Arab Organisation and several UK trade unions.

It will include 12 ambulances, a boat and trucks full of medicines, tools, clothes, blankets and shoe-boxes as well as gifts for children.

Mr Galloway said it would be the largest convoy of British vehicles to north Africa since the days of Field Marshal Montgomery.

"There is an intifada sweeping Britain," he added.

"It is a massive and peaceful movement in support of the beleaguered population of Gaza and Palestine.

"It is happening everywhere, but is especially strong in the north of England and especially among young Muslims."

Jasmine Whitbread, chief executive of Save the Children, said she hoped that the convoy would help raise awareness of the situation in Gaza - but added that far more resources were required to tackle the humanitarian crisis in the territory.

"Around 80 aid trucks are getting into Gaza each day, but we estimate that around 400 are needed daily," she said.

"Some 90% of the population are depending on food aid. Around 100,000 people have been displaced, many of them are now living in tents - the aid is getting through, but much more is needed."
 

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OP
Il Re

Il Re

-- 10 --
Jan 13, 2005
4,031
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  • Thread Starter #2
    small story about my dad

    http://www.yachtingmonthly.com/auto/newsdesk/20090113114943ymnews.html

    Yachtsman donates boat to children of Gaza


    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A lifelong yachtsman is donating his boat to the orphans of Gaza because he can no longer enjoy sailing while 'such inhumanity' is at large in the world. Dr Ather Sharif, 46, who sailed his 22ft Newbridge Venturer from Hayling Island on the Solent will join a 100 vehicle convoy in central London tomorrow, with his boat on a trailer. After a rally in Hyde Park the convoy will drive overland to Gaza, with handouts.

    The Convoy of Humanitarian Aid to Gaza will take three weeks and travel through Europe and North Africa, and then deliver aid to the people of Gaza.

    Dr Sharif told YM: 'You cannot ignore such injustice. I felt if I did so I would be complicit in it.' The engineer who lives in Croydon, Surrey, is adamant his gesture is not political and added: 'I can't enjoy sailing anymore when schools and people's homes are being attacked by armies with tanks and airforces with F16 jets and all because Hamas have fired a few fireworks at Israel.

    'The latest death toll is 1,400 Palestinians killed against 10 Israelis.'
     

    Martin

    Senior Member
    Dec 31, 2000
    56,913
    #5
    This is a good idea, in fact if the UN put a bunch of troops in there noone could risk killing them and they'd have to stop.

    Btw where's your family from, Re? Palestine by any chance?
     
    OP
    Il Re

    Il Re

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  • Thread Starter #6
    This is a good idea, in fact if the UN put a bunch of troops in there noone could risk killing them and they'd have to stop.

    Btw where's your family from, Re? Palestine by any chance?
    nah, indian origin, but my grand dad on one side is egyption and grandmother's parents are from saudi
     
    OP
    Il Re

    Il Re

    -- 10 --
    Jan 13, 2005
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  • Thread Starter #8
    oh and thanks guys, i can't help but feel i should have gone as well, even though i did so much work for the build up and prep
     
    OP
    Il Re

    Il Re

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  • Thread Starter #10
    It would be a life changing journey.:agree:
    yea i know, i should have gone to help my dad in case there are problems, i said i feel i should go but my uncles told me i'm too young, but today i really felt i needed to go and had i had my passport with me i would have just gone regardless, anyways he's towing a boat using a mitsubishi l200 pick up truck, he's team leader of one of the groups so should have people to help if there is a problem
     
    OP
    Il Re

    Il Re

    -- 10 --
    Jan 13, 2005
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  • Thread Starter #12
    thanks bes

    update - story was shown on al jazeera, they showed our boat in the main background and then showed it in the video too!

    i actually did an interview with some arabic channel so you arab guys might see/have seen it
     

    Martin

    Senior Member
    Dec 31, 2000
    56,913
    #13
    I'm a little confused about the yacht. Is he selling it to get supplies or is he just giving it to them? And if he's selling it, why not just sell it in London?
     
    OP
    Il Re

    Il Re

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  • Thread Starter #14
    I'm a little confused about the yacht. Is he selling it to get supplies or is he just giving it to them? And if he's selling it, why not just sell it in London?
    two things, 1. a mitsubishi l200 pickup truck, 2. a sailing yacht which has posters on it

    both are filled with humanitarian aid, both will be given to the people of gaza for free obviously, we've spent a lot of money on it, in total the value is over £10 000 my only hope is that it gets to the right people, the yacht is mainly being used for gaining attention, on the way to london i was in it and it drew a lot of attention
     

    Martin

    Senior Member
    Dec 31, 2000
    56,913
    #16
    two things, 1. a mitsubishi l200 pickup truck, 2. a sailing yacht which has posters on it

    both are filled with humanitarian aid, both will be given to the people of gaza for free obviously, we've spent a lot of money on it, in total the value is over £10 000 my only hope is that it gets to the right people, the yacht is mainly being used for gaining attention, on the way to london i was in it and it drew a lot of attention
    Oh, so you're giving humanitarian aid, not a yacht. This makes a hell of a lot more sense to me now :D
     
    OP
    Il Re

    Il Re

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  • Thread Starter #18

    news story on al jazeera

    on 1:26 you can see my brother on the left standing next to the truck and boat being donated
     

    Bozi

    The Bozman
    Administrator
    Oct 18, 2005
    22,749
    #19
    thats great Rehan you must eb very proud. though i am guessing the Mr Galloway involved tehre is George,kinda takes some of the shine off being associated with that wanker, but needs must!
     

    ReBeL

    The Jackal
    Jan 14, 2005
    22,871
    #20
    That is just great, Rehan.

    Sorry for not seeing this thread before. I'm sure people in Gaza will appreciate that.

    I will try to find anything about that in Arabic if I can.

    :tup:
     

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