Press Report for Saturday 9th October 2010
SORRY FOR DELAY DUE TO OVER-ZEALOUS SPAM FILTER

A large crowd gathered in Lawrence Hill on Saturday 9th October to celebrate send-off of the latest Bristol Convoy to Gaza. In just three weeks the group, Bristol-Gaza-Link has raised the money for five vehicles which will make the journey to Gaza. They are a mini-bus with wheel-chair facility and a large box-van and three cargo vans. They have been decorated with flags, images of Bristol friendship with Gaza, and solidarity messages (see pictures attached).
The vans were loaded with donated aid including medical and educational materials. The Quaker and Baptist churches in Bristol provided a special donation of stationery and office equipment destined for the Baptist Church in Gaza. The Red Notes Choir sang and there was live music was provided. Cllr Tess Green (Green Party) spoke at the send-off rally plus contributions from the convoyers themselves. Messages of support were received from Cllr Helen Holland, Leader of the Labour group on Bristol City Council, from Adeela Shafi Conservative Party PPC for Bristol East and Stephen Williams MP for Bristol West (LibDem).

The five vehicles and supporters marched through the Easton area of Bristol before the vehicles left for London. Leading the group of seven was Mohamed Elhaddad, chair of Bristol-Gaza-Link Association. Four more members are planning to join the convoy en-route. These include a prominent SW trade union representative who aims to link up with fire-fighters in Gaza, a Bristol Graffiti artist, and others.

Media coverage

ITV-West News weekend 9th/10th October 2010
Bristol Evening Post Monday 11th October 2010
Star & Jack FM Radio Saturday, October 9th
Avrupa Gazette
Pictures videos and links at http://bglink.ning.com/profiles/blogs/press-report-bris...sends

The Bristol team are joining the Roads To Hope convoy (http://www.roadtohope.co.uk/) which left London on 10.10.10. The route takes them through southern Europe and crossing to North Africa and through Libya and Egypt to Gaza. The Bristol team will be among several different convoys, arriving by land, air and sea to Tripoli where they will be joined by the Libyan Convoy Al Quds 5. Road to Hope will then leave Tripoli on 17th October via Egypt to arrive in Gaza at the end of October 2010.

A report by the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) released last week, concludes “that the blockade (of Gaza) amounts to collective punishment in violation of Israel’s obligations under international humanitarian law.” And that it “was inflicting disproportionate damage upon the civilian population in the Gaza strip and as such the interception could not be justified and therefore has to be considered illegal.”

“Abject poverty" among refugees tripled since the imposition of the blockade from 100,000 to 300,000 and 61 percent of households are food insecure. And according to the UN, despite the recent easing of the siege, the Israeli policies have “brought to new peaks the severe human dignity crisis resulting from the deteriorated public services, widespread poverty, food insecurity”. Unemployment (Over 40 percent) and aid dependence (80 percent) have reduced People’s lives to a daily struggle in an attempt to secure the most basic needs.

People can support the convoy by
• donating online : http://bglink.ning.com/page/donate-1
• SMS: Text VIVA to 84424 to donate £3
• Sending a cheque to: Bristol Gaza Link. 5 Russell Town Avenue, BS5 9LT
• Bank transfer: Coop Bank. Account name “Bristol-Gaza-Link”. Account 65360523, Sort code 08-92-99.

Mohamed Elhaddad, chair of Bristol-Gaza-Link says “This is the fourth time, in the space of less than 2 years that Bristol is actively engaging in the delivery of aid to these besieged people – an achievement that makes us all proud. As we have done before, we turn to the generous people of Bristol to support us in our endeavours to bring this unjust and unlawful siege to an end. Please donate as much as you can. All funds will be used to purchase vehicles that will be filled with educational and medical equipment that are badly needed in Gaza.”

Bristol has a long history of links with Palestine. From peace campaigners to faith groups, from football teams to Banksy, many Bristolians have visited Palestine. The group Bristol-Gaza-Link was set up last September with all party support on the Council. Its aims and objectives are to build humanitarian, cultural, educational and social links with Gaza and Palestine. The city sent substantial amounts of humanitarian aid to Gaza with the Viva Palestina convoys, including a giant articulated truck of medial aid decorated with iconic images of Wallace and Grommit. In May Bristol citizens were within inches of death on-board the aid ship the Mavi Marmara when it was attacked by Israeli commandos. Bristol was also the first local council in the country passing a motion condemning these attacks and calling for boycott and divestment of Israel.

Thanks to Bristol Indymedia for also covering this event see http://bristol.indymedia.org/article/694417