28-12-2009, 08:41 AM
Hi, everyone, Welcome to my GFM (Gaza Freedom March) Bulletin #2. All of you are our partners on the Gaza Freedom March. All your good wishes and support gives us so much strength.
But before you read it, they are mobilizing to stop the Gaza Freedom March.
TAKE ACTION!
WRITE TO RUDD & SMITH! RING THEM! EMAIL THEM! GIVE THEM NO PEACE!
WRITE TO THE PAPERS - RELEASE MEDIA STATEMENTS!
WRITE TO/VISIT YOUR LOCAL MEMBER!
DISTRIBUTE THIS WIDELY!
Tell them to let the historic Gaza Freedom March proceed!
The historic effort to break the cruel siege of Gaza began before we left Australia. Some of us in the Aussie contingent had been contacted by DFAT (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) to phone them. They had already emailed us when we as individuals wrote to Stephen Smith asking for him to use his good offices (Ha! Ha!) to ensure that the Israelis would not harm us. They said Gaza was very dangerous and they strongly advised us not to go. Subsequently the Egyptian foreign affairs people said that no one would be allowed through the Rafah crossing because of the ‘serious security situation.’ The advice from DFAT is that the Egyptian Government has now informed them that visas into Egypt would not be issued for those going for ‘political demonstrations’. Further, visas already issued would be cancelled for such people.
So we awaited our reception in Cairo with some interest. I had my little recorder on in my bumbag, ready to record anything that transpired at the passport control etc, but all precautions were unnecessary and I sailed in without incident. So if this hot air performance by the Egyptian government, (and DFAT), huffing and puffing to intimidate us into giving up our mission is any indicator, my hopes of our getting into Gaza are rather higher.
And this March is historic. If we pull it off, it will be the largest foreign contingent of international activists to stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine on their soil. .
With me on the flight were Kat, from Brisbane, It was the horrors of the Israeli attack on Gaza which provided the final impetus for her to convert. Sarah, also from Brisbane, originally from Aotearoa (NZ) also has a passion and strongly flet pull towards Gaza. ,
This is my fourth attempt to write this bulletin. I was labouring away on the first effort when I lost everything because of the rat-sh-t internet connection in the swanky hotel I .stayed on overnight llayby, courtesy Korean Air. Though everything else was splendid if hopelessly Westernised. Almost no Korean food. It could have been a hotel anywhere in the world, a totally synthetic bubble. Very good to break the long flight with an excellent rest. Further problems with batteries and connections stymied the other attempts. So I am composing everything off line, including the addresses so laboriously retrieved and I hope it works this time!
Thank you everyone in this second GFM Bulletin.
And remember, ACT NOW TO LET THE GAZA FREEDOM MARCH PROCEED!
In solidarity
Vivienne
But before you read it, they are mobilizing to stop the Gaza Freedom March.
TAKE ACTION!
WRITE TO RUDD & SMITH! RING THEM! EMAIL THEM! GIVE THEM NO PEACE!
WRITE TO THE PAPERS - RELEASE MEDIA STATEMENTS!
WRITE TO/VISIT YOUR LOCAL MEMBER!
DISTRIBUTE THIS WIDELY!
Tell them to let the historic Gaza Freedom March proceed!
The historic effort to break the cruel siege of Gaza began before we left Australia. Some of us in the Aussie contingent had been contacted by DFAT (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) to phone them. They had already emailed us when we as individuals wrote to Stephen Smith asking for him to use his good offices (Ha! Ha!) to ensure that the Israelis would not harm us. They said Gaza was very dangerous and they strongly advised us not to go. Subsequently the Egyptian foreign affairs people said that no one would be allowed through the Rafah crossing because of the ‘serious security situation.’ The advice from DFAT is that the Egyptian Government has now informed them that visas into Egypt would not be issued for those going for ‘political demonstrations’. Further, visas already issued would be cancelled for such people.
So we awaited our reception in Cairo with some interest. I had my little recorder on in my bumbag, ready to record anything that transpired at the passport control etc, but all precautions were unnecessary and I sailed in without incident. So if this hot air performance by the Egyptian government, (and DFAT), huffing and puffing to intimidate us into giving up our mission is any indicator, my hopes of our getting into Gaza are rather higher.
And this March is historic. If we pull it off, it will be the largest foreign contingent of international activists to stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine on their soil. .
With me on the flight were Kat, from Brisbane, It was the horrors of the Israeli attack on Gaza which provided the final impetus for her to convert. Sarah, also from Brisbane, originally from Aotearoa (NZ) also has a passion and strongly flet pull towards Gaza. ,
This is my fourth attempt to write this bulletin. I was labouring away on the first effort when I lost everything because of the rat-sh-t internet connection in the swanky hotel I .stayed on overnight llayby, courtesy Korean Air. Though everything else was splendid if hopelessly Westernised. Almost no Korean food. It could have been a hotel anywhere in the world, a totally synthetic bubble. Very good to break the long flight with an excellent rest. Further problems with batteries and connections stymied the other attempts. So I am composing everything off line, including the addresses so laboriously retrieved and I hope it works this time!
Thank you everyone in this second GFM Bulletin.
And remember, ACT NOW TO LET THE GAZA FREEDOM MARCH PROCEED!
In solidarity
Vivienne
"The philosophers have only interpreted the world, in various ways. The point, however, is to change it." Karl Marx
"He would, wouldn't he?" Mandy Rice-Davies. When asked in court whether she knew that Lord Astor had denied having sex with her.
“I think it would be a good idea” Ghandi, when asked about Western Civilisation.
"He would, wouldn't he?" Mandy Rice-Davies. When asked in court whether she knew that Lord Astor had denied having sex with her.
“I think it would be a good idea” Ghandi, when asked about Western Civilisation.