Relief Supplies Finally Break Gaza Blockade

By Gush Shalom

Yaacov Manor, one of the organizers of the action, supervises the hanging of the political slogan on the supplies. Helping at right is Gush Shalom spokesman Adam Keller (Courtesy Gush Shalom).

THE GATES OF Gaza opened—and seven tons of essential supplies entered the Gaza Strip.

It was the climax of a two-week fight, during which time the Israeli peace organizations threatened to go to the Supreme Court, while supporters from all over the world followed the struggle closely.

The action started two months ago, when the well-known Gaza human rights activist, Dr. Eyad al-Sarraj, a psychiatrist, met in Tel-Aviv with a small group of peace activists from several organizations. In the course of the meeting it was decided that the Israeli peace movement would organize a relief convoy—both in order to alleviate the suffering and as an act of solidarity and political protest against the inhuman blockade imposed by the Olmert government on the million and a half residents of the Gaza Strip. In the end, more than 30 peace organizations joined the effort.

The Gush Shalom outreach coordinator Beate Zilversmidt asked supporters in Israel and abroad for donations. The reaction was moving: Individuals and organizations from many countries sent contributions—some for a few dollars, some for hundreds or thousands. With the money, Teddy Katz of Gush Shalom and Yaacov Manor, coordinator of the Coalition Against the Blockade, bought five tons of supplies. Israeli families added two more tons of individual family packets.

Scheduled to leave Jan. 26, but delayed until Feb. 3, when a permit finally was issued, the supplies were brought to the Gaza Strip in a huge convoy of 150 cars, but were stopped there. Only on Feb. 18, after a tenacious struggle with the army authorities, was permission granted to let the supplies in.

A small delegation of peace activists, members of several organizations, went early that morning in the biting cold to the Sofa crossing, at the southern end of the Gaza Strip, after hanging giant signs around the supplies demanding “Gaza: Lift the Blockade!” The activists brought the supplies to the gate of the crossing. On the other side of the terminal the Palestinian partners were already waiting. The supplies were delivered to them.

Dr. Sarraj spoke on the phone with Gush Shalom spokesman Adam Keller and thanked the Israeli activists warmly. He told them that the stores of essential supplies that were brought in during the days when the Rafah border was open were dwindling rapidly, and the feeling of strangulation is returning. “We in Gaza appreciate the expression of solidarity that we received from the convoy today,” he said. “We hope that this is the beginning of a joint struggle of the two peoples for peace and freedom for both.”

The supplies contained mainly essential foodstuffs and water filters, which are essential in the Strip because the water there is practically undrinkable. The Palestinian Coalition Against the Blockade intends to give priority to hospitals, where the need for clean water is paramount. For many months the blockade prevented filters from entering Gaza, producing a serious threat to public health—as is the case with many other products. The peace organizations hope that from now on the filters will be allowed in without limitations.

“The blockade is inhuman, immoral, illegal and a threat to the vital interest of Israel, which is peace,” declared Gush Shalom activist and former Member of the Knesset Uri Avnery, who accompanied the convoy. “We thank the Israeli and foreign donors who helped us break the blockade.”

Avnery added: “The suffering caused to the inhabitants of Gaza does not help the inhabitants of Sderot in any way. There is only one way of stopping the Qassams: to accept the offer of a full and mutual cease-fire on the Gaza border, which was made several times by Hamas leaders.”

A further relief convoy is already in the planning stage.

Gush Shalom (translated from Hebrew, the name means “The Peace Bloc”), founded in 1993, aims to influence Israeli public opinion and lead it toward peace and conciliation with the Palestinian people. For more information visit: <http://gush-shalom.org>.

SIDEBAR

Feb. 20, 2008

Dear Friend,

Yesterday, we have managed to get the humanitarian aid and supplies into Gaza, thanks to all the genuine and determined efforts made by our Israeli friends, and by Mr. John Ging of UNRWA. We have cooperated with local national NGOs to ensure that such supplies find their way to those who need it.

This important triumph is an indicator and a clear message to both our nations as well as the whole world, that we, Israelis and Palestinians, are still able not only to work together, but also to make achievements, and that all voices which claim that there are no more partners-in-peace among both sides are simply wrong. Both our nations still have genuine, sincere, and determined peace activists and advocates, and still have plenty of courageous men and women like you, who are ready to take the peace and justice struggle to end this ugly military occupation.

We’re proud to be the group which delivered your peace and support message to our people in Gaza, and we are ready to continue working and cooperating with all of you to recover both our nations’ faith in peace. The last couple of years were so difficult for peace camps on both sides, but we recognize January’s march to Erez as a turning point and a new start which we all must embrace to rebuild trust in peace and in peace camps.

On behalf of our people we thank you again for your commitment and support, and for thinking of us at such difficult times, and for dedicating time and efforts to raise your voices against injustice and in favor of peace.

Sincerely,

Dr. Eyad Sarraj, For the Palestinian International Campaign to End the Siege on Gaza