www.whitehouse.gov/blog/ramadan-kareem/

In a historic address from Cairo last month, President Obama promised a new beginning in relations between the United States and the Muslim world. In his speech President Obama acknowledged the Palestinian-Israeli conflict as a major source of tension, and affirmed America’s “unbreakable” bonds with Israel. More importantly, in a marked shift from the Bush administration, he acknowledged that, “the situation for the Palestinian people is intolerable.”

Unwilling to tolerate a continued siege on Gaza and to show that Americans stand for justice and human rights, a convoy of nearly 200 American citizens – Viva Palestina USA, under the leadership of British Member of Parliament George Galloway, former US Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, and New York City Councilman Charles Barron – with more than $1 million of humanitarian aid, set off for Gaza on the American day of independence..

The two-week trip—12 days in Egypt and a mere 24 hours in Gaza—quickly opened my eyes to the brutal situation in Gaza and the lack of its coverage by the American media. Despite a commitment by the most powerful man on the planet, very little has changed on the ground in Gaza. In fact, the suffering of the Palestinians has only worsened.

Following the latest Israeli invasion in January, the infrastructure in Gaza lays in ruins. More than 21,000 homes, hospitals, mosques, and refugee shelters were destroyed indiscriminately, causing an estimated $2 billion in damage. Gazans are desperately in need of medical aid and reconstruction materials (with the BBC reporting 1,400 dead and more than 4,500 injured by the Israeli assault). Even with the pledge of millions in international aid, including $900 million from the Obama administration in March, everything is on standby in Gaza. As innocent men, women, and children continue to die, the political battle over accessibility is played in a game of tug of war over Israel’s complete blockade of Gaza, which we witnessed as we struggled to deliver the humanitarian supplies.

In the first of many frustrating bureaucratic hurdles we faced while still in Egypt (direct access to Gaza is blocked because of Israel’s siege), $500,000 worth of vehicles Viva Palestina purchased to help with the transportation needs of NGOs and hospitals in Gaza were held up by the Egyptian government. Israel does not permit vehicles into Gaza as part of the unjust blockade, even though these vehicles are desperately needed to carry injured civilians or deliver humanitarian aid to different parts of Gaza. Egypt willingly complies with Israeli restrictions, so it can continue to receive U.S. aid.

The convoy members were eventually permitted to enter Gaza for 24 hours, but the 47 vehicles were not permitted. As we proceeded to Gaza, about 30 members of the convoy were additionally detained at the Suez Canal Mubarak Peace Bridge, halfway between Gaza and Cairo (where Obama addressed the Muslim world a month earlier). Our colleagues weren’t told exactly why they were detained. Congresswoman McKinney and Councilman Barron attempted to reach the White House but to no avail. Eventually, all the members of the convoy returned to Cairo, visited the US Embassy, paid $30 each to waive their rights as American citizens and left the embassy with an affidavit saying that the U.S. government would not assist us in any way once we entered Gaza.

I could not help but feel utter disappointment at the lack of support by the Obama administration to ease or even acknowledge our efforts as American citizens attempting to deliver humanitarian aid and in turn, forge a new beginning in the relationship between the besieged people of Gaza and America.

Arriving in Gaza was the most uplifting and emotional experience for convoy members and myself as we united with the people of Gaza on Wednesday, July 15, 2009. Their hospitality, generosity, and determination continued to inspire me throughout our stay in Gaza and even now after we’ve returned home. Having kept themselves updated on our progress in Egypt, our hosts continually thanked us and asked us to forgive them for the “suffering” we faced in our journey to Gaza. In reality, though, we could only confess that our suffering paled in comparison to the suffering of the people who had opened their hearts and homes to graciously host us despite their daily difficulties.

The deliberate destruction of infrastructure—homes, schools, and hospitals alike was clear. For example, even the American International School (AIS), a site visited earlier this year by Congressmen John Kerry (D-MA) and Keith Ellison (D-MN), lay in rubble. As the only international school in Gaza, students at AIS once enjoyed a state-of-the-art facility, co-ed education, and an American curriculum promoting “an understanding and appreciation of the world’s diverse cultures,” according to the school’s website. AIS students’ schooling is on hold as reconstruction materials are denied entry to Gaza by Israel.

Then at Shifa Hospital, we met a young patient named Arafat, who had several visible cancerous tumors in his forehead. His case was especially critical, as his doctor’s informed us that Arafat’s treatment is readily available just an hour away in Jerusalem; however, Israel has continually delayed his travel documents without any explanation, making his situation far worse than it needs to be.

Later at the Palestinian Ministry of Detainees (the ministry for the support of family members of some 11,000 Palestinians who are in Israeli prisons facing political charges), we met three young girls who had become orphans after the recent invasion. Each of the girls had lost not only her immediate family members but also many relatives. One of the girls actually lost 29 members of her family. The girls showed patience in the face of immense hardship and asserted that Israel’s genocidal onslaught would not weaken their struggle for self-determination and to live peacefully in their homeland, Palestine. Their message widely resonated among other Gazans who expressed to us their desire to live in peace and security in their homeland.
On my way back, the hope I had felt when I heard President Obama’s message to the Muslim world diminished and was replaced by immense grief and frustration. Does the President actually mean what he says?

President Obama has an opportunity to establish a new beginning—a new beginning with actions that speak louder than words, a new beginning affecting policy change that will address Israel’s blatant disregard for international law on expanding illegal settlements, using American weapons upon innocent Gazans and implementing a brutal blockage of Gaza. If the situation of the Palestinians truly is “intolerable” as the President asserted in Cairo, then it is time that he take decisive action to stop the devastation and suffering of Palestinians living in Gaza, acknowledge their right of self-determination and take strong measures to bring about a lasting peace in the Middle East.

Four intrepid cyclists on an epic 6,000km fundraising trip to Gaza have been refused entry to the troubled state.

The students crossed 14 countries fighting off wild dogs in Turkey and near hypothermia in the French Alps to raise money for a neo-natal unit and medical resources for burn victims following the war with Israel. But despite an invitation from Irishman John Ging, head of United Nations Relief and Works Agency in Gaza, and other official documentation, they were refused entry.

The Egyptian authorities forced the cyclists to turn back and brought them in a military escort to Cairo, from where they will fly home. The cyclists, who travelled under the banner Pathways to Palestine, left Ireland on June 22, cycling more than 150km a day, resting only once a week.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5i6uGLxljpFt1xn0VsmGL3ivZouRw

Cycling close to double the distance of the Tour de France, three Irish cyclists are now on the final stretch of their journey from Ireland to Gaza. The students, having just reached Israel-Palestine, arrived in Jerusalem yesterday and will attempt to cross into Gaza over the coming days.

Their 6,000 km cycle aims to raise money in support of an emergency appeal to provide for neo-natal care and medical resources for burn victims in Gaza. The initiative came from Eoghan Quinn (21), a type-1 diabetic, after he learned of the restrictions on medical supplies reaching Gaza. [1].

“As a diabetic, I am completely dependent on constant access to medicine. I wanted to use my fortunate circumstance to help those cut off from the outside world in Gaza.”

They set off on their arduous journey from Ireland on June 22 and have been cycling over 150km a day, resting only once a week. “We are really looking forward to reaching Gaza”, said cyclist Ronan Sheehan adding: “we have overcome hypothermia in France, several falls, some on busy highways, and survived being chased by wild hounds in central Turkey.  It’s been tough but epic.”

The cyclists have been assisted by a small support crew which includes John Lyttle: “I am in absolute awe of the lads for what they have achieved so far and through my background as a student physiotherapist and first aider, I aim to help in any small way in the completion of their mission.”

The intrepid travellers have received support from around the world, including a formal motion of commendation passed by the Scottish Parliament and a reception in the Irish Parliament hosted by Irish MPs and Senators. As they travelled through each country, the team documented the trip on their website via an innovative audio blog that lets them phone and ‘phlog’ direct to the site.

According to cyclist Gearoid O Cuinn, Gaza’s medical infrastructure has been crippled by the two year long siege that has led to widespread malnutrition and many preventable deaths. “We are working with the health care charity MAP (Medical Aid for Palestinians) to try in some small way to alleviate the situation,” said Gearoid.

If they succeed, their back-up vehicle will be donated to a rehabilitation hospital that was partially destroyed in the January offensive. “Even as we prepare to reach Gaza we will continue in our efforts to raise money for our charity (MAP) via our website www.pathwaystopalestine.com” said Tom Watts, member of the support team  “All monies raised online go directly to their operations on the ground”, he added.

[1]: http://irishhealth.com/article.html?id=15725

The team consists of Eoghan, a town planning student; John Maher (30), medical student; Ronan Sheehan (21), pharmacy student and Gearóid Ó Cuinn (29), law student, all of whom attended the same high school. The support vehicle travelling with the four cyclists will be driven by trainee physiotherapist, John Lyttle (23), from Derry and Tom Watts (21), from Sheffield who studies psychology. Project co-ordinator: Gráinne Quinn.

More information from Gráinne Quinn,

http://imemc.org/article/61279

The families have lived in Sheikh Jarrah since 1956 but an Israeli court ruled that the homes belonged to Jewish families.

Al Jazeera’s Sherine Tadros reports from occupied East Jerusalem.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8164582.stm