Gazans have just pulled off the ultimate non-violent direct action. Just before dawn this morning, 17 controlled explosions opened about two thirds of the 7km border between Gaza and Egypt. A powerful example of autonomous direct action, this was not done by Hamas, as widely but wrongly reported, nor by any other political group, nor by fighters, but by a loose network of extraordinary 'ordinary people', mostly women.

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My sister in law has just had a baby. She wanted and got a hospital birth with lots of people around her - hubby, aunty, sister in law, friendly family doctor and two midwives. She's super happy, and home already, breastfeeding going well

I'd really like to visit her, but we can't get in to Gaza, so that's not possible just now. Since we can't visit, I'd like to send her a present for the baby, but there is no post in Gaza, so I can't do that either. I thought I could at least send her money, but the electricity shut-down has meant that the bank and Western Union outlet are closed, so I can't even do that. Which is a shame cos they could do with some money - her husband is a taxi driver. The fuel blockade means that, like so many others, he's been denied the opportunity to work to earn a wage for his family.

When I spoke to my sister in law, she said they've got no bread - they haven't been able to get flour to make bread. They've got rice and potatoes, which they have to cook in the yard in front of their flat, on a wood fire, despite the grim winter weather. There is no electricity, they have run out of gas, and her house was never designed to take a wood fire, there is no chimney, so they were stuck out in the cold - that is no way to treat a new mother.

The border with Israel is completely closed at the moment - nothing and nobody can get in or out - not even aid workers, aid supplies, food, water filters, or fuel.

On Saturday there is a protest convoy going from within Israel to the Erez checkpoint, with aid supplies - flour, water filters (Gaza's water is really dirty - water filters are a basic necessity for drinkable water). They are going to demand that the soldiers at the checkpoint allow the supplies in to Gaza. They are prepared for a long wait. Kibbutzim near the checkpoint, within Qassam rocket range, have offered to store the supplies while they wait.

There will be parallel demonstrations on the Gazan side of the checkpoint, and in cities around the world, including London - Saturday 26 January, 4-6pm outside Parliament. The organisers are particularly appealing to medical staff to join us in uniform to visibly express their opposition to Israel preventing Gazans from travelling for lifesaving medical treatment.

I sympathize with Sderot’s residents, and Israelis have the right to live in as much peace and safety as the rest of us. But siege and collective punishment, driving 1.5 million people to the edge of starvation, are no answer. Nor is the constant military offensive (1,000 Palestinians were killed in 2007). Several Palestinian ceasefire offers have been rejected out of hand by the Israeli government.

So I'm going to the demo in London on Saturday, and I'm telling people her story. Right now, I think that is the only present I can send her. But I am hoping and praying that soon we'll be able to give her back the opportunity to get on with her life, and to enjoy being a mother; the opportunity to look after her family and the chance to dream of her children's future. These are basic minimum prerequisites for working towards Just Peace.

So please - demonstrate, write letters, visit Palestine, sign petitions, tell your friends - whatever you can to make it clear that this insane siege has to end.