Galloway: End the Brutal Siege on Gaza

MP George Galloway Speaks to IslamOnline.net

By Politics in Depth Team

In an attempt to rally the international popular support to break the siege of Gaza, Respect MP George Galloway's Viva Palestina campaign is enthusiastically trying to enter Gaza to deliver more desperately needed aid of food and medicine to its people.

Viva Palestina's convoys departed from London on December 6, then passing through Belgium, Luxemburg, Germany, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Syria, and now in Jordan, awaiting the permission of the Egyptian authorities to let them in Sinai then to Al-Arish and Gaza.

IslamOnline.net (IOL) had this interview with Respect MP George Galloway about the campaign and the possible scenarios it may face, especially as Egypt's Ministry of Foreign Affairs insists that it will not allow Galloway's convoy to enter Egypt through Jordan's port of Aqaba, 4 hours away from Gaza, and that it is only allowed in through the Mediterranean port of El-Arish, nearly a two-day journey.

IslamOnline.net (IOL): Your campaigns for Gaza are always aiming at mobilizing popular support for the humanitarian side of the issue. How far do you think such campaigns, like this one, Viva Palestina, can push the international community to pressure Israel to lift its siege on Gaza?

MP George Galloway: For popular movements, particularly in Arab countries, the only thing that can exert pressure on Israel is to demand their governments that they boycott Israel.

Popular movements can demand governments to use their influence at the United Nations to put genuine and sustained pressure on Israel and, in particular, the United States, to lift this brutal, inhumane, and illegal siege of Gaza, and to observe the slew of UN resolutions criticizing the Zionist state.

IOL: What do you think popular movements need in order to be able to play an effective role toward Gaza?

MP Galloway: I think I answered part of this in the first question. Most Arab countries pay lip service to the support of the Palestinian cause.

Now, you have the situation where Egypt is acting as the turnkey for Israel, refusing to let through essential medical and humanitarian aid and the necessary building materials to repair the massive damage the Israel attack on Gaza wrought a year ago.Only pressure from below will change this.

IOL: How did you get funds and in-kind donations for your campaign? Who are the main donors and supporters for Viva Palestina's campaign?

MP Galloway: The main donors are the ordinary people of Britain, the United States of America, and European countries.

The poorer people are. They are more generous in their donations. We did receive two magnificent donations from two Malaysian charitable organizations, as well as around 50 Malaysian vehicles stuffed with aid joining the convoy.

IOL: Out of the places you have visited during your current campaign, what are the impressions and reactions of the governments/ people you met from the United Kingdom to Jordon? Did you face any criticism?

MP Galloway: There has not been any criticism, at least until we got to Al-Aqba and the Egyptian Government suddenly decided we were persona non grata.

The responses in Turkey, Syria, and Jordan have been fabulous. We were officially received, and people were mobbing us in the streets.

IOL: Logistically, how is the campaign scheduled? When are you planning to reach and leave Gaza?

MP Galloway: When we reach Gaza depends on the Egyptian Government.

As I answer this, there are 200 vehicles stuck waiting for a ferry to Egypt.

We have been in constant contact with the Egyptian Government, but the terms and conditions vary by the hour.

The only way is that we deal with Israel over entry to Gaza, which we will not do.

We were due to arrive in Gaza on December 27 to mark the start of the last year's war.

We are determined that we will not be shifted, and until we finally get into Gaza, I could not tell you when we do get in.

We will stay in Gaza for the shortest decent time, because we do not want to place any further burdens on the people of Gaza.

IOL: What is your 'plan B' if Egypt insists that it will not allow you in?

MP Galloway: Some of my colleagues have already gone on a hunger strike over this.

Arab governments and intermediaries are trying to make the Egyptian Government come to its senses and defend its Arab brothers and sisters, rather than being pawns of Israel and the United States.

I would be a fool to tell you plan B and warn our enemies, but I can assure you it will be dramatic.

IOL: What are your future plans and ultimate goal regarding breaking the siege on Gaza? would you consider this campaign to be your final attempt?

MP Galloway: There may be more convoys, but they are different, say from China or from Venezuela with President Chavez at the head.

We have a series of developments on Viva Palestina that I am not going to reveal at this stage, but we certainly will not give up the struggle to break this siege, which is, under the Geneva Conventions, a crime and a communal punishment on a people.