Convoy of hope starts long journey to Gaza

Zaharah Othman reporting from London

THE temperature was low but the spirits were high and the mood and atmosphere near the River Thames by the Houses of Parliament was almost carnival-like with trucks and ambulances decorated with banners and flags getting hoots and cheers of support from passers-by.Seventy-six lorries and ambulances started off on the drive for Gaza in a convoy yesterday after it was officially flagged off by anti-war British parliamentarian, George Galloway.

In the convoy are members of Perdana Global Peace Organisation Juana Jaafar, 28 and Ram Karthigasu, 29, who are taking turns to drive the ambulance from London.

Juana, who was under the weather and losing her voice, was upbeat about the mission she was undertaking.

"We have the privilege of strength and I hope we can endure the physical challenges of a long drive," said Juana adding that her exposure to Palestinian issues helped her make up her mind to be part of the convoy.

Karthigasu drove from London and they had expected to be at the German border by midnight. However, delays at the Euro Tunnel meant they could only get to Brussels at 10.30pm and they camped there for the night before continuing the journey.

Juana and Karthigasu were joined in the ambulance by Faith Attaguile, 63, from St Diego, Californa.

They hope to hand over the vehicles to the people of Gaza on arrival.

PGPO's involvement in the convoy came after a meeting between Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Galloway in October this year. Galloway was a speaker at PGPO's Criminalise War Conference in Kuala Lumpur.

More vehicles will join the convoy en route to Gaza.

From London, the convoy will be heading to Germany via Brussels and Luxembourg before moving on to Italy, Greece and Turkey.

The final leg of the convoy will be from Syria to Rafah in Egypt via Jordan. The convoy expects to arrive in Rafah on Dec 27.

PGPO is a Malaysian non-governmental organisation headed by Dr Mahathir. Besides participating in the Viva Palestina convoy to Gaza, the organisation had also committed to securing a boat for the Free Gaza Movement which is expected to leave from the port of Larnaca in Cyprus.

They will attempt to break the siege of Gaza by sea. This will most likely take place early next year. More than US$300,000 (RM1 million) has been raised for the endeavour. source: NST 8.12.2009