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The Road to Gaza is open: take part in
breaking the illegal and cruel siege
EXTEND A HAND ……. LET GAZZA RECOVER!
A major initiative is underway to deliver aid via sea to the Gaza Strip,
which has been under an embargo for over three years. Hundreds of
concerned people will set out on 10 ships in May to take over 5,000 tons
of relief aid and materials to Gaza.
In Gaza, where 60 percent of the population lives under the poverty line,
thousands of people lack homes because of the illegal Israeli embargo.
Residents of about 4,000 houses that were destroyed in the latest Israeli
offensive are living in tents or with their relatives, because the import
of construction materials into Gaza is not allowed. There is also a
shortage of urgently needed medicines due to the border restrictions. Many
patients either become crippled or die due to a lack of adequate
medication and medical equipment.
IHH, The Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief,
successfully organized the “Set out for Palestine” aid convoy in January
this year to break the embargo, and is now preparing for another convoy by
sea. Hundreds of aid workers will carry thousands of tons of relief
supplies as well as construction materials which are urgently needed in
the territory on a number of ships, some of which are due to set off from
Europe. The construction materials will be used to rebuild Gaza’s
dilapidated civil infrastructure and facilities as well as homes for
thousands of Palestinian families which were devastated by Israel.
Large amounts of relief supplies collected worldwide through voluntary
activities are awaiting dispatch to Palestine, while the international
humanitarian front against Israel is expanding. Seven smaller aid boats
have successfully managed to deliver relief supplies to Palestine since
the embargo was imposed three years ago, but this will be the first time
such a large scale aid effort is attempted. To achieve this objective,
thousands of volunteers are working meticulously worldwide. IHH, which has
taken responsibility for organizing this mammoth task, is fulfilling all
the humanitarian, legal, technical and political requirements to ensure
the safe transfer of the aid flotilla which will set sail in May.
The support of all the nations and organizations is needed to successfully
carry out such a major aid campaign. In this regard, we are reiterating
our call for co-operation and support from charitable organizations to
help the Palestinian people recover. You too can contribute for the
thousands of tons of relief supplies to be taken to Palestine and take a
role on this convoy, which has become the common voice of concerned people
worldwide.
For more details and to donate now visit
http://www.ihh.org.tr/filistin/en/
“Coalition to Break the Blockade on Gaza Announced”
Istanbul, Turkey – Following months of preparation, a coalition bringing
together a number of organizations and movements working to break Israel’s
illegal blockade on Gaza was announced yesterday in Istanbul. The
coalition, comprised of the
Turkey-based
IHH (Insani Yardim Vakfi) organization, the European Campaign to End
the Siege on Gaza (ECESG), the Greek Ship to Gaza campaign, the Swedish
Ship to Gaza campaign and the Free Gaza Movement, will launch a flotilla
of ships laden with cargo, media, parliamentarians, celebrities and
activists to Gaza next month.
The flotilla will be composed of at least eight vessels, including three
cargo ships, and will set sail from European ports starting on May 3,
reaching the port of Gaza later in the month. Over 500 passengers from
more than 20 countries will take part, and over 5,000 tons of cargo,
including cement, prefabricated housing, other building materials, medical
equipment, and educational supplies will be delivered to Palestinians in
Gaza.
The Free Gaza Movement has been launching ships to Gaza since August 2008,
partnering with organizations and activists around the world on these
missions. In December 2009, IHH led a land convoy to Gaza that brought
tons of humanitarian aid and other supplies. In January 2010 the European
Campaign brought 50 parliamentarians to Gaza in solidarity with the
Palestinian people and to witness the devastation wrought by Israel’s
illegal policies. Ship to Gaza/Greece and Ship to Gaza/Sweden meanwhile
have had ongoing campaigns in their countries to raise awareness and funds
for this effort and for materials to be brought to Gaza.
“Through this coalition, these organizations will be able to maximize
resources, experience and commitment to ending the illegal siege on Gaza.
Even as Israel continues its daily persecution of Palestinians, we will
use this action to wake the world’s consciousness about the crimes
committed against Palestinians,” said IHH President Bulent Yildirim.
The coalition invites organizations and individuals from around the world
to join the effort by providing supplies for Gaza and contributing
financial support for the mission.
Contact:
Free Gaza Movement – Greta Berlin - +33607374512;
www.freegaza.org
ECESG – Arafat Madhi - +44 7908 200 559;
www.savegaza.eu
IHH – Ahmet Emin Dag – +90 530 341 1934;
www.ihh.org.tr
Ship to Gaza / Greece – Vangelis Pissias - +30 697 200 9339;
www.shiptogaza.gr
Ship to Gaza / Sweden – Dror Feiler - +46702855777;
www.shiptogaza.se
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