Galloway announces 500 vehicles and 60 ships to break the criminal siege of Gaza

Run_to_da_hills

It was only a matter of time before this guy would step in.

"Viva Palestina founder George Galloway, speaking to a crowd of around 20,000 protesting outside the Israeli embassy in London, revealed the latest plan to bring about the end of the siege on Gaza.

Two simultaneous convoys – one by land the other by sea – will set forth on SUNDAY 12 SEPTEMBER bound for Gaza. Viva Palestina, the International Committee to break the Siege on Gaza and any allies who will join us will organize the two convoys.

The land convoy will leave from London and travel across Europe to Turkey, Syria and ultimately through the Rafah Gate into Gaza. Cooperation will be offered and sought with all relevant governments and agencies. It is expected the convoy will pick up vehicles and volunteers in each country through which it passes. The target is to enter Gaza with 500 vehicles.

The sea convoy will travel around the Mediterranean gathering ships, cargo, volunteers from each country. The target is to enter Gaza with 60 ships.

The aim will be to arrive on Gaza's frontiers at the same time. And to enter with the world's largest ever aid convoys. And to thereby render the siege null and void".

This will be a very interesting PR challange to the Israeli authorities, particularly if it is sanctioned by so many political parties and if the convoys contain high profile individuals and press.

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1006/S00143.htm

bijapos

Well if he even gets half that it will be impressive. Wasn't there a land convoy a few months ago, went via Egypt iirc?

If they gets proper accreditation, gets the UN and Red Cross/Crescent involved and has credible observers on the ground to make sure the aid is used for humanitarian and not Hamas-military needs then Israel will have to look hard for excuses.

Interesting times.

kev9100

George Galloway couldn't care less about the people of Gaza. All he wants is more publicity for himself.

Offy

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

It was only a matter of time before this guy would step in.

"Viva Palestina founder George Galloway, speaking to a crowd of around 20,000 protesting outside the Israeli embassy in London, revealed the latest plan to bring about the end of the siege on Gaza.

Two simultaneous convoys – one by land the other by sea – will set forth on SUNDAY 12 SEPTEMBER bound for Gaza. Viva Palestina, the International Committee to break the Siege on Gaza and any allies who will join us will organize the two convoys.

The land convoy will leave from London and travel across Europe to Turkey, Syria and ultimately through the Rafah Gate into Gaza. Cooperation will be offered and sought with all relevant governments and agencies. It is expected the convoy will pick up vehicles and volunteers in each country through which it passes. The target is to enter Gaza with 500 vehicles.

The sea convoy will travel around the Mediterranean gathering ships, cargo, volunteers from each country. The target is to enter Gaza with 60 ships.

The aim will be to arrive on Gaza's frontiers at the same time. And to enter with the world's largest ever aid convoys. And to thereby render the siege null and void".

This will be a very interesting PR challange to the Israeli authorities, particularly if it is sanctioned by so many political parties and if the convoys contain high profile individuals and press.

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1006/S00143.htm

+1 George Galloway

wes

Now, I don't agree with everything Galloway says and does, but when it comes to Viva Palestinia, he has certainly tried to do a lot of good to help the poor people of Gaza.

Run_to_da_hills

Offy wrote: »

+1 George Galloway

Not many politicians speak their minds like him.

Addressing the crowd outside the Israeli embassy in London over the weekend.

Powerful speach. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFzPm2GWtLA

IrishTonyO

kev9100 wrote: »

George Galloway couldn't care less about the people of Gaza. All he wants is more publicity for himself.

I think you will find Galloway has a strong history on this issue and is the founder of the group Viva Palestina http://www.vivapalestina.org/

dsmythy

Agree to inspections and all the aid will arrive safely at the Gaza border. Fair play.

wes

dsmythy wrote: »

Agree to inspections and all the aid will arrive safely at the Gaza border. Fair play.

No, it won't actually. Israel has a rather ridiculous list of proscribed items, and hence the need for people to try and break there illegal siege, which is a act of collective punishment of 1.5 million people, which is against International law.

Palmach

Offy wrote: »

+1 George Galloway

This is the guy who was a big fan of Saddam? In fact he is a big fan of anybody or any ideology who thumbs their noses at the evil west. That same west that gives him the right to vote and freedom of speech. Galloway is a publicity hungry chancer.

Byron85

Palmach wrote: »

This is the guy who was a big fan of Saddam? In fact he is a big fan of anybody or any ideology who thumbs their noses at the evil west. That same west that gives him the right to vote and freedom of speech. Galloway is a publicity hungry chancer.

Obvious troll is obvious.

karma_

Palmach wrote: »

This is the guy who was a big fan of Saddam? In fact he is a big fan of anybody or any ideology who thumbs their noses at the evil west. That same west that gives him the right to vote and freedom of speech. Galloway is a publicity hungry chancer.

Careful now, say about him what you will but he has at least the courage to stand for his own left wing convictions. He was also critical of Hussein and backed his removal from power, just not by military methods.

He also won a libel case against one of the rags that accused him of being paid by Hussein.

loldog

T.W.H Byron wrote: »

Obvious troll is obvious.

No, this is trolling:

karma_

loldog wrote: »

No, this is trolling:

Wasn't Donald Rumsfeld photographed doing the same thing, except with Saddam himself?

Didn't the west supply Iraq with arms during the 80's when it was convenient to them?

Run_to_da_hills

dsmythy wrote: »

Agree to inspections and all the aid will arrive safely at the Gaza border. Fair play.

No, less the several thousand tons of cement and other essential building materials. :mad:

Grumpypants

Things are bad enough for the people in Gaza without this fool helping.

Run_to_da_hills

Grumpypants wrote: »

Things are bad enough for the people in Gaza without this fool helping.

He's only a fool to those that want Palistians to continue in suffering.

irishconvert

Grumpypants wrote: »

Things are bad enough for the people in Gaza without this fool helping.

Are you doing anything to help? No? Then don't critise.

Het-Field

Did the people of Limehouse not tell that self-serving, jumped-up , arrogant twat, to take a running jump ?

irishconvert

Het-Field wrote: »

Did the people of Limehouse not tell that self-serving, jumped-up , arrogant twat, to take a running jump ?

Is it the convoy or Galloway you are against? Do you support the principal of an aid convoy to Gaza?

BluePlanet

Palmach wrote: »

This is the guy who was a big fan of Saddam?

No, that's Donald Rumsfeld your thinking of.

Grumpypants

irishconvert wrote: »

Are you doing anything to help? No? Then don't critise.

Sorry didnt realise i wasnt aloud to critise George Galloway :rolleyes:

irishconvert

Grumpypants wrote: »

Sorry didnt realise i wasnt aloud to critise George Galloway :rolleyes:

Why don't you back your comment at least? How has his previous efforts harmed the people in Gaza in your opinion?

youcrazyjesus!

kev9100 wrote: »

George Galloway couldn't care less about the people of Gaza. All he wants is more publicity for himself.

Not a huge fan of his but I don't doubt his motivations are absolutely genuine. Interesting times. I'll be donating for sure.

Grumpypants

irishconvert wrote: »

Why don't you back your comment at least? How has his previous efforts harmed the people in Gaza in your opinion?

Hmmm.....nope. The man is a fool if you really need evidence of that it wont matter what i post. I could post the clip of him saying he went to Iraq and told Sadam that Britain was going to attack and to "get rid of what you've got".
I could post the clip of him heaping praise on Sadam or the one with him sitting down having cosy chats with his son telling them that he is with them until the end.

But all that would be pointless as you have surely seen all these clips before so you already know what kind of a man he is.

steelcityblues

Galloway's motivations aren't entirely pure, and this quite frankly is dangerous talk from him once again.

youcrazyjesus!

steelcityblues wrote: »

Galloway's motivations aren't entirely pure, and this quite frankly is dangerous talk from him once again.

Explain how his motives are impure and how this is "dangerous talk".

steelcityblues

youcrazyjesus! wrote: »

Explain how his motives are impure and how this is "dangerous talk".

I would have thought with the numbers involved, that this isn't exactly the most discreet way of helping the intended people.

Don't get me wrong, Israel has still got questions to ask from last week, but there is something Paisley like about Galloway getting up on the platform in the wake of this, and putting the focus back on himself.

Also, will Galloway volunteer to be around the 'danger zone' himself, or remain from the relative safety of his TALKSPORT studio in London?

youcrazyjesus!

steelcityblues wrote: »

I would have thought with the numbers involved, that this isn't exactly the most discreet way of helping the intended people.

Where is it written that is has to be "discreet". If this flotilla fiasco has taught us anything it's that generating publicity works.

Don't get me wrrong, Israel has still got questions to ask from last week, but there is something Paisley like about Galloway getting up on the platform in the wake of this, and putting the focus back on himself.

Galloway didn't begin or restart his public speaking career last week, he probably makes a dozen or so a month.

Also, will Galloway volunteer to be around the 'danger zone' himself, or remain from the relative safety of his TALKSPORT studio in London?

Whether he does or doesn't I'm not sure it's relevant. The Israelis would shoot him given half a chance.

dublincelt

Palmach wrote: »

This is the guy who was a big fan of Saddam? In fact he is a big fan of anybody or any ideology who thumbs their noses at the evil west. That same west that gives him the right to vote and freedom of speech. Galloway is a publicity hungry chancer.

Troll alert!!!

He wasnt as big a fan as Donald Rumsfeld was around the same time.

I didnt see Galloway sell Arms to the Iraqi regime. Can you say the same about Rumsfeld

dublincelt

youcrazyjesus! wrote: »

Not a huge fan of his but I don't doubt his motivations are absolutely genuine. Interesting times. I'll be donating for sure.

+100

Dar

steelcityblues wrote: »

Also, will Galloway volunteer to be around the 'danger zone' himself, or remain from the relative safety of his TALKSPORT studio in London?

Why not? You do realise he has led convoys into Gaza before?

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009/03/20093913411900703.html

Grumpypants

dublincelt wrote: »

Troll alert!!!

He wasnt as big a fan as Donald Rumsfeld was around the same time.

I didnt see Galloway sell Arms to the Iraqi regime. Can you say the same about Rumsfeld

And as soon as i see a thread about Rumsfeld organising a convoy to Gaza ill comment on that. But seeing as this is one about Galloway it is perfectly justified to bring up Galloways past. Its not trolling you don't have to be anti palistine not to like a nasty little tabloid politician that uses racial tensions for his own gain.

karma_

Grumpypants wrote: »

And as soon as i see a thread about Rumsfeld organising a convoy to Gaza ill comment on that. But seeing as this is one about Galloway it is perfectly justified to bring up Galloways past. Its not trolling you don't have to be anti palistine not to like a nasty little tabloid politician that uses racial tensions for his own gain.

I don't see you complain much about the billions in aid that Israel get every year from the US and elsewhere. Or is it just that you feel the Israelis deserve aid and the Palestinians don't?

Manic Moran

The 500 vehicles would be easy enough for the Israelis to stop. The 60 ships is going to lead to trouble, in order to get to them all, they'll probably have to take a few short-cuts due to lack of time. Will be interesting, to say the least.

NTM

Stabshauptmann

Palmach wrote: »

This is the guy who was a big fan of Saddam?

Bull Sh1t.

Galloway wasnt pro-Saddam, he was anti war. The US spread a load of Sh1t and dragged up some old photos of him with Saddam. The same could be done to half of leading US and UK politicians.

Here he is addressing Congress, to stick it to them for slandering him.
http://www.brasschecktv.com/page/30.html

youcrazyjesus!

Manic Moran wrote: »

The 500 vehicles would be easy enough for the Israelis to stop. The 60 ships is going to lead to trouble, in order to get to them all, they'll probably have to take a few short-cuts due to lack of time. Will be interesting, to say the least.

They don't have to do anything.

halkar

If he is serious he will not have problem with getting 500 vehicles and 60 ships. As it stands even Turkey alone can fill these for him. It will definitely have more public, political and media support than the previous one. Last flottila even though they have been in the cards for months had little or no media coverage in Europe and West until Israel's attack on them.
Egypt will probably open the border indefinitely. I do not understand Egypt's stand in this. Does Israel also control what goes in Gaza via Egypt?

Sand

No, Egypt just has the same priorities as Israel does as regards Gaza - they dont want an armed Hamas destabilising the region. Hence they enforce a similar regime regarding imports of weapons or dual use military goods.

If anyone doesnt believe the Israelis, they can simply brings their goods to an Egyptian port and bring them into Gaza that way. But they wont, because this isnt about relief for civillians.

As regards Galloway, the Israelis will just intercept the ships further out again. I dont think Galloway and Co grasp that this isnt the Israelis being mean for the sake of being mean - they view the naval blockade as being required for their national defence.

The Israelis could simply destroy the Gazan port facilities. Without any port infrastructure, ships would have to wait off the coast to be unloaded by smaller boats so even if any get through they would be easy pickings.

BlaasForRafa

Manic Moran wrote: »

The 500 vehicles would be easy enough for the Israelis to stop. The 60 ships is going to lead to trouble, in order to get to them all, they'll probably have to take a few short-cuts due to lack of time. Will be interesting, to say the least.

NTM

With 60 ships though your inevitably going to have some drop out with mechanical troubles and some will be delayed like the Rache Corrie. And if they propose to travel as one convoy they will have to move at the speed of the slowest ship thus giving the Israelis time to contain them.

Run_to_da_hills

On a similar note.

This is a good move for the people of Gaza who cannot get access adequate medical treatment and supplies across the dividing wall.

It will also be an interesting PR challenge for the Israel authorities to try and stop this boat particularly if it is anchored in international waters.

http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id...onid=351020101

irishconvert

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

On a similar note.

This is a good move for the people of Gaza who cannot get access adequate medical treatment and supplies across the dividing wall.

It will also be an interesting PR challenge for the Israel authorities to try and stop this boat particularly if it is anchored in international waters.

http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id...onid=351020101

Link is not working.

irishconvert

halkar wrote: »

I do not understand Egypt's stand in this. Does Israel also control what goes in Gaza via Egypt?

Egypt helps enforce the blockade on Gaza and keeps it's border closed. The reason for this is the Egyptian president is an American puppet.

irishconvert

Sand wrote: »

No, Egypt just has the same priorities as Israel does as regards Gaza - they dont want an armed Hamas destabilising the region. Hence they enforce a similar regime regarding imports of weapons or dual use military goods.

That is not true. It has nothing to do with Hamas. If it was then why did Egypt make it extremely difficult for the last land aid convoy in December to cross it's border into Gaza?

Run_to_da_hills

irishconvert wrote: »

Link is not working.

Its main stream media now.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/iran-prepares-to-confront-israel-with-aid-flotilla-1994124.html

There is something seriously wrong when Israel has no problems with Iranian Red Crescent hospital ships attend those in need off the coast of Haiti during the Earthquake crisis and at the same time forbids them from attending victims in Gaza.

I was led to believe Red cross / Crescent were a neutral organisation immune from military conflict when it came to provide humanitarian and medical assistance, There again this rogue state of Israel violates international law, the UN and the Geneva convention.

irishconvert

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

Its main stream media now.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/iran-prepares-to-confront-israel-with-aid-flotilla-1994124.html

There is something seriously wrong when Israel has no problems with Iranian Red Crescent hospital ships attend those in need off the coast of Haiti during the Earthquake crisis and at the same time forbids them from attending victims in Gaza.

I was led to believe Red cross / Crescent were a neutral organisation immune from military conflict when it came to provide humanitarian and medical assistance, There again this rogue state of Israel violates international law, the UN and the Geneva convention.

I think this is going to result is a full blown war betwen Israel (backed by the US) and Iran

wes

irishconvert wrote: »

I think this is going to result is a full blown war betwen Israel (backed by the US) and Iran

I doubt the US or Israel is quite this insane tbh (then again I didn't think Israel would attack the Floatilla). The Red Crescent/Cross is a well known humanitarian organization, and any kind of attack on them will again reflect badly on Israel. We are not talking about Irans Revoulutionary corps or anything, and they will hopefully join up with other organizations to highlight the plight of Gazan's.

BluePlanet

I'm sure the USA would at minium put pressure on Egypt to not allow iranian Red Cresent ships through the Suez canal.

They'll have to deter around and probably fall victim to some black ops disabling their engines.

irishconvert

wes wrote: »

I doubt the US or Israel is quite this insane tbh (then again I didn't think Israel would attack the Floatilla). The Red Crescent/Cross is a well known humanitarian organization, and any kind of attack on them will again reflect badly on Israel. We are not talking about Irans Revoulutionary corps or anything, and they will hopefully join up with other organizations to highlight the plight of Gazan's.

It doesn't matter. Israel and the US are looking for an excuse to attack Iran. The preconditioning has been going on for at least a year now with all the allegations of Nuclear weapons. Very similar to what happened before the Iraq invasion with WMD. Lots of news stories saying Israel is prepared to strike nuclear facilities in Iran. If Israel attack the Iranian Red Crescent do you really think Iran is not going to retaliate? Then Israel will attack back.

Run_to_da_hills

There is now talk of Syria and Turkey to cooperate to remove Gaza siege.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3902100,00.html

BlaasForRafa

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

I was led to believe Red cross / Crescent were a neutral organisation immune from military conflict when it came to provide humanitarian and medical assistance, There again this rogue state of Israel violates international law, the UN and the Geneva convention.

You might have been led to believe that, but an organisation whose president is appointed by Ahmadinejad can hardly be said to be apolitical

From the Iranian red crescents own site http://www.rcs.ir/persian/ModulesPage.aspx?modulename=news&action=viewtext&news=3160&PortalID=19

Dr. Abolhassan Faghih Appointed as the Iranian Red Crescent Society"s President
President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Dr. Mahmood Ahmadinejad, in accordance with clause 5, part B, article 10 of the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) statutes appointed Dr. Abolhassan Faghih as the new President of the IRCS for the period of 4 (four) years on 3 May 2010.