On the anniversary of the first air strikes of last year's Gazan war ten members of the aid convoy stranded in Aqaba, Jordan (some of whom are joining a hunger strike from 11:30) climbed the highest peak near the compound within which they are stranded to fly the Palestinian flag.
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Later they joined the rest of the volunteers in protest of the ongoing blockade of the war torn city. Viva Palestina has over 150 vehicles full of aid stuck in the Jordanian sun, being refused entry to the Egyptian port of Nuwaiba. The flag was confirmed to be visible from Israeli territory by binoculars.
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Altogether15 volunteers from the convoy begin a hunger strike today and 15 more will join the strike each day that the blockade on the convoy contuinues, until the convoy is allowed to set sail from Aqaba to Nuwaiba.
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John Hurson of the Tyrone to Gaza group (available on facebook), spokesperson for the hunger strikers, stated his reasons:
"Every day is a hunger strike in Gaza. It is a crime against humanity that humanitarian aid has been donated from all over the world and it is sitting in a carpark. That we can see Palestine. That we can nearly touch Palestine but we cannot give aid to Gaza."
Asked whether he would follow in the footsteps of fellow Irishman Bobby Sands and fast until death he stated:
"As a humanitarian I believe there must be compassion in the Israeli and Egyptian governments so I don't wish to contemplate death. If anyone wishes to join us on this hunger strike to show solidarity across the world they are welcome to join us."
Volunteers planned to march on the Egyptian embassy on the anniversary of the siege but were blocked by Jordanian police. The port of Aqaba has been incredibly hospitable to the convoy offering free hotels, food and plenty of vocal support. As volunteers proceeded from the compound towards the Egyptian consulate they were blocked at the head of Haiea Street.
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Taking into account Jordanian hospitality locals and convoy members continued their protest on Haiea Street taking to the street but allowing traffic to flow somewhat freely.
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Much of the traffic gave peace signs as saluted as they were passing through in a jovial atmosphere.
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A Viva Palestina spokeperson said that the focus for protest was Egypt and Israel for blockading Gaza on all sides.
A representative of the city of Aqaba stated that they would like to show support for the convoy and wished it all the best for the journey. It has been requested there be no more protests in the city of Aqaba. And that he would try and get provisions made for the medical aid that is rotting in the scorching sun of the local compund.
Egyptian authorities have stated that the convoy would be allowed into El-Arish on the Mediterranean Sea but not to Nuwaiba. This causes two problems, firstly the extra distance and secondly Nuwaiba is a large enough port to host the convoy on one ship whereas El Arish would require several trips through the Suez Canal as cargo and a flight to El Arish for the volunteers.

The whole convoy has been stuck in the poirt of Aqaba Jordan for the last three nights and we are beginning to feel a bit of wear and tear. I'm leaving just now to go to another meeting. Egypt is refusing us entry into the port of Nuwaiba (on the Red Sea) but is saying that if we travelled to El-Arish (on the Med) and our vehicles could travel as unmanned unsupervised cargo through the Suez Canal that would comply with their offer. Bawbags eh?
Our vehicles are locked up in a compound in aqaba and we have to arrange our visits to them via minibus whilst the medicine rots in the sun:
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Below is an e-mail that was circulated detailing how you can put pressure on authorities at home and abroad to help us.

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As most of you know, the Viva Palestina humanitarian aid convoy has been forcibly trapped in Aqaba, Jordan as the Egyptian authorities have denied them entry. Convoy members are in high spirits and have requested that we contact our embassies and local MPs to contact the Egyptian authorities and grant them safe passage through Egypt to Gaza.

TEMPLATE LETTER:

[Your address]

Dear ------

I have been following the progress of a convoy taking aid to the Gaza strip. The convoy consists of over 200 vehicles carrying many thousands of pounds worth of aid, and has been organized by Viva Palestina and The Palestine Solidarity Campaign. Many of the activists taking part have gone from the United Kingdom.

It has recently come to my attention that Egyptian authorities have blocked the progress of the convoy by denying entry to Egypt. The convoy is currently waiting in Jordan to be permitted to board a ferry across the Red Sea. I have heard from one person in the convoy who has described how they are cold and have little access to food at the moment.

I am kindly requesting that you use your position and influence to help us persuade the Egyptian authorities to permit the convoy to pass safely. This is very important to me, both for my hope that the people in Gaza will receive the much-needed aid, and also out of concern for my friends in the convoy.

Kind regards,
[Your full name]


CONTACTS:

Your local MP: http://www.facebook.com/l/457ba;findyourmp.parliament.uk/

Egyptian Embassy in London
020 7499 3304/2401
eg.emb_london@mfa.gov.eg


Clare Short (Independent MP for Birmingham Ladywood)
shortc@parliament.uk
020 7219 4264/4148

David Miliband (Foreign Secretary/Labour MP for South Shields)
milibandd@parliament.uk
(0191) 456 8910

Nick Clegg (Leader of Lib Dems, MP for Sheffield Hallam)http://www.facebook.com/l/457ba;www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/dec/22/lift-the-gaza-blocade-nick-clegg
nickclegg@sheffieldhallam.org.uk
cleggn@parliament.uk

British Embassy in Egypt
Tel: +(20)(2)27916000
information.cairo@fco.gov.uk

NB. The embassy email addresses are only meant for information, so you could include a kind note to forward the message to the appropriate diplomatic staff.

Huge thank you to the Queen Mary University of London Palestine Solidarity Society for providing this information.

Please share this note with your friends and let us do everything we can to help our comrades, who are tired and cold waiting for a ferry to Egypt!

Please be advised that the convoy is partnered with the PSC and not CODE PINK

IN SOLIDARITY!