PM’s wife and Mahathir recognised for helping Gaza aid convoy

KUALA LUMPUR: Wife of the Prime Minister, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor; former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad; and Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan have been singled out by a British politician for their exemplary efforts in helping to push for the Viva Palestina humanitarian aid convoy to reach its destination in Gaza.

George Galloway, who is leading the convoy, had told the Al Jazeera TV network that the convoy, carrying essentials and medical aid for Palestinians trapped within an Israeli blockade, must be allowed to proceed. In a report filed on Dec 28 titled Fighting to Break the Gaza Siege, the network had quoted Galloway as saying that medicines brought by the convoy “are in a race against the time of their expiry date and getting spoiled under the desert sun while people in Gaza die for the want of them”.

“The government of Turkey and the respected Premier (Recep Tayyip) Erdogan are trying their best as is the former Malaysian Prime Minister, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, as well as the wife of the current Prime Minister in Kuala Lumpur,” he was quoted as saying.

Galloway also said he had written to Queen Rania of Jordan, asking her to contact Susan Mubarak, first lady of Egypt and head of the Egyptian Red Crescent.

He said there were more than 200 trucks and 500 people from 17 different countries who had given up their Christmas holidays to try and help one and a half million Arabs and Muslims in Gaza. — Bernama

the star, 2 Jan 2010

Tussle over route keeps them apart

source: NST 2009/12/29

KUALA LUMPUR: Viva Palestina Malaysia yesterday delivered an appeal letter by hand to the Egyptian government, via its embassy here, to allow its convoy, now stuck in Aqabah, Jordan, to enter Gaza.The convoy has been stranded in Aqabah for four days.

Viva Palestina secretary (executive committee) Azra Banu said the Egyptian government wanted the convoy to take an 800km detour back to Syria before taking a ferry to cross the Suez Canal.

This, however, would delay the convoy in getting medical supplies for victims in the war-torn zone.

The convoy also has to incur an additional US$50 million (RM171 million) in travel cost.

Azra said the appeal was made by Viva Palestina founder, British member of parliament George Galloway, also a lawyer, who believes an appeal to the embassy would be of help.

"We would like to appeal to the Egyptian government to ensure safe and quick passage for the convoy carrying perishable humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza. The supplies must reach Gaza as soon as possible.

"We do feel that they can come up with a solution. The convoy itself can be broken into smaller groups," said Azra.

"We don't expect a solution right away, although we do feel that it can be resolved in the next few days. The aid, we believe, will ultimately reach the people of Gaza.

"It's just a question of when the aid can be delivered."

Egyptian ambassador to Malaysia Hani Abdel Kader Ahmed Shash said he would like everyone to know that Egypt fully supported and agreed to allow the convoy to enter Gaza.

"There is only one technical problem -- the Nuweiba roads are too small for big caravans. There are more than 200 vehicles on such roads," he said when met at the embassy yesterday.

"So, we have suggested that they take the Al-Arish route near the Mediterranean sea, which is not only wider, but closer to Gaza.

"We initially told Galloway, through our embassy in London, to use the Al-Arish route as it is only a few kilometres away from Gaza.

"The authorities there are ready to receive the convoy but he refused."

He promised to forward the message to the Egyptian government and hoped they would come to a compromise soon.

Warm welcome after snow, fog

source: NST 2009/12/14

By Alang Bendahara

KUALA LUMPUR: The Viva Palestina convoy has reached Thessaloniki, Greece, and received a warm welcome from the mayor at a basketball stadium.The convoy had driven through snow and fog to reach the sprawling city.

Viva Palestina, the British-based charity, is on a mission to provide humanitarian aid such as essential goods and medical supplies to civilians trapped in Gaza.

In the convoy are members of Perdana Global Peace Organisation (PGPO), Juana Jaafar and Ram Karthigasu.

The Malaysian pair are taking turns driving an ambulance from London to Gaza.

Tweeting her journey and experiences, Juana said she had visited the city to try the local cuisine for dinner and to meet the people.

She said the team would be spending another night there to get some rest and have their laundry done in anticipation of a long drive to Istanbul.

It has been eight days since the Viva Palestina convoy departed from London for Gaza.

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

Juana and Ram hope to hand over the vehicles to the people of Gaza on arrival.

The PGPO's involvement in the convoy came after a meeting between former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and international peace activist George Galloway, a British member of parliament, in October. Galloway was a speaker at PGPO's Criminalise War Conference here.

More vehicles will join the convoy en route to Gaza.

PGPO is a Malaysian non-governmental organisation headed by Dr Mahathir.

Besides participating in the Viva Palestina convoy, PGPO had also committed to securing a boat for the Free Gaza Movement, which is expected to leave from the port of Larnaca in Cyprus.

It will attempt to break the siege of Gaza by sea, which is most likely take place early next year. Over US$300,000 (RM1 million) has been raised for the endeavour.

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