The Road to Gaza

international | rights, freedoms and repression | news report Tuesday October 12, 2010 22:59 by Daniel O'Leary - Tipp2Gaza

Nenagh's finest, Joe and Seamus, write back from Syria on the Viva Palestina Convoy

On Thursday, September 16th, Joe Gilmartin and Seamus O’Nualláin left Tipperary with a van full of aid to drive 5000 km to Gaza.
Along with others from the north and the UK, they are part of the international VIva Palestina convoy of almost 200 vehicles, $3million of medical aid, and 400 people from 30 different countries, for the people of Gaza.
Having crossed through France, Italy, Greece and Turkey, the latest news is that that the convoy is waiting in Latakia, Syria, to get a ferry to Egypt and then travel into Gaza.
The Egyptian government is currently threatening not to allow them through.

Here is the diary that Joe and Seamus have sent back. To follow their progress go to facebook page “Tipp2Gaza”.

Seamus and Teresa Ferris, who visited the convoy in Latakia

JOE'S DIARY
So far
So far the most enlightening thing has been this camp here in Latakia, where we’ve been for the last 3 days. It’s like a mini UN! There are all sorts here. There are Irish, Italian, French, Algerian, American, English, Muslims from Birmingham, atheist republicans, trade unionists: all united in the same goal to obtain justice for Palestinians. We’ve also met 2 Muslim converts on the trip, one called Muhammed Ali! And a French doctor who speaks 6 languages. The co-operation between the cultures and religions has been extraordinary. As has been the welcome we’ve received along the way.

Where is Latakia?
Latakia is a mediterranean port city in southern Syria. The convoy is parked next to a Palestinian refugee camp, by the beach. There’s over 400 of us staying in the camp, all broken up into different groups, and nationalities. There are 4 bunks in a room. I’m sharing with Seamus, Tony Upton (Belfast), and Fra Hughes. All our food is being donated by restaurants and businesses in the area. Breakfast, dinner and supper. The hospitality of people is humbling.

In general the Syrian people and Palestinians seem to get on well. There’s not any resentment, although you can see that the area of the refugee camp really lags behind the city. The weekly wage is only about 50 euro/week. And these are the people lucky enough to be in employment.

The Refugee Camp
Yesterday, we got a tour of the Palestinian refugee camp. We met some of the original refugees, part of the 700,000 Palestinians who in 1948 were driven from their homes to make way for the new state of Israel.
While the spirit of the people is strong, poverty is rampant, unemployment rate is over 50 %. Even though most people have been born in Syria, anybody we spoke to wants to go home to Palestine, which in this camp means the City of Haifa, in modern day Israel.

Culture shock
Drinking chai with Abu Hussan at a coffee stall. He has no English, but yet we can sit and pass time. The pace of life seems slower here. People seem to have more respect for each other.
I admit I would have had preconceptions about some of the Muslims, when you see fellas with large beards and dress-like gown!! But then you get talking to them, and you see another angle. In a way, you can see the attraction of religion, there are Muslims there from so many countries, yet they all fit in because of their common. A real surprise for me is that in that it’s not a dour thing, like I thought it would be.

2 days ago we also had a football International with a difference. A team of locals made up of Palestinian Refugees played a side made up of members of the viva convoy, from nearly 30 nations.

SEAMUS' DIARY
To me it’s been a huge eye opener. We thought we came with an open mind, but we didn’t have an open mind. The character of the people is extraordinary, as well as the camaraderie in the group, among people of all religions and none.

Ireland to Greece
After leaving Ireland, we travelled to Luton, where the UK vans were being loaded up. We were accommodated in a house given by a Pakistani man. Then we travelled to Bagnlolet in Paris, an area with a strong socialist ethos, with a large immigrant population. In Lyon too we received a huge reception. There are a lot of people of Algerian origin there. The French police gave us a right checking out on route to Italy, but we made it to Turin, where we stayed overnight, then onto Milan, a very beautiful city, the following morning. In most of these places the convoy drove around the town and created a bit of a stir.

From there we travelled to Ancona where we had a lovely ferry crossing to Greece. People in Greece were very supportive. We had a fairly long drive to Thessalonika, but we were at least very impressed by the motorway system. In Thessalonika we stopped for 2 days, there onto Alexandria, where we had a swim. After that we drove nonstop to Istanbul.

Turkey to Syria
Istanbul is a massive city of over 12 million people. The traffic was unbelievably chaotic. The reception was provided by IHH, a Turkish charitable organisation. Although criticised in some quarters, IHH has been very active in Haiti and in Pakistan. It is a very effective and motivated group.

We got an unbelievably welcome in Turkey. Some of vehicles needed serious repair. The Turks fixed all the vans for FREE.

It was when we were leaving Turkey that I became sick. I had a temperature, high blood pressure, and a lot more besides. They put me on a sleeping bag on the floor of one of the busses. I was out for 4 days, and I honestly thought the trip was over. There were probably many reasons for it, the hard driving, the long hours, getting dehydrated.

What now?
Everyone is quite frustrated at the moment. We have been here in Latakia in Syria for nearly a week. In that time more vehicles have arrived, and a lot more aid has been donated. The Jordanians have just sent 40 brand new Hyundai vans which have been filled with aid. There’s also a refridgerated lorry with chemicals to treat cancer patients. There are over 150 vehicles. 40 have gone to the port today, as a signal that we are ready to depart. But while we have all this aid to deliver to Gaza, we’re still playing footsie with the Egyptian authorities, for no logical reason other than that Egypt is appeasing Israel and the United States.

When we finally depart, we will plan to pass by the spot and lay wreaths on the sea where the Turkish ship, the Mavi Marmara, was attacked by Israeli commandos in May.

The Irish members have raised over $50,000 in aid and donations from private individuals, family and friends. This is a remarkable figure. When our 5 vehicles filled with aid arrive in Gaza, the Irish flag will fly proudly once again in Palestine.

Keep up the support, as it continues to be an inspiration and motivation to everyone here.

Ireland to Gaza page
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=238347355199&v=info#!/group.php?gid=238347355199

Tipp2Gaza page
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=238347355199&v=info#!/group.php?gid=118483754864995

Antrim to Gaza page
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=238347355199&v=info#!/group.php?gid=141567582533142

Joe and some locals from the Palestinian refugee camp in Latakia

the tipp2gaza van

l'état, c'est moi. Joe in Lyon

Caption: Video Id: CxSz3TGK3bU Type: Youtube Video
Report from the Syrian Port of Latakia