I have had several text messages this morning, starting at 4:30AM Irish Time (Gee Thanks Guys) couldn’t drag myself outta bed until now to go online LOL Egypt is 2 hours a head of us in Ireland.
Great news the convoy aid and vehicles remained safe over night nothing happened, everything is grand. The members left for Rafah at 6AM Egypt time and just a few minutes ago I was informed they are 5 km from the border, now I just got another text and it looks like they are all together at the border waiting (Sorry the last text is a little confusing and I’m not really awake yet)
Wow, I’m feeling happy and sad this morning. I should have been on this convoy, but unknown to me, until I dragged it out of the drawer, my passport had expired and did not get back in time for me to go with my friends. So when they actually cross into Gaza it will be hard for me, but I will feel so happy for them after such a long wait in Egypt, still I may have tears:(
More as I get it. I expect today to be a busy day.
Just got off the phone, everyone is at the border crossing right now. The bus with the politicians has been brought to the front of the line at the crossing. AND the doctors who have been in Gaza since May 5th, and who just went on Hungerstrike this week because Egypt would not allow them into Gaza? They have joined with the “HOPE” convoy and are on the bus with the politicians. They will be crossing over with the convoy now! VICTORY!!!
I am just told in text that one vehicle has crossed over now past the first checkpoint into the compound, one more checkpoint to go!! The others are moving forward. Friend taking photos now, hope to get them online today!
VIVA PALESTINE!!!
also the media is there doing interviews with convoy members and the politicians.
so we have a stand off, stay tuned
Update on the Doctors who joined the convoy (see earlier posts below) The Egyptians are claiming security reasons for not allowing them passage. The “hope” convoy will continue to do what it can to help them move forward but there are no guarantees to the outcome.
I’m using spell check today as I am exhausted and had not much sleep for the last few days like the convoy team, But they are running on excitement now as they are so close to Gaza. Me, on the other hand, I am running on many of cups of tea and spell check LOL, So if I post anything that needs clarification, or anyone has a question I may be able to answer, just post a comment and I’ll give it a go, or see what I can find out in my next phonecall.
more as I get them
So it should not be very long now before they cross into Gaza. Once inside there will be a press conference organised by the Government, at which time the Italian MP Fernando Rossi, the leader of the convoy, will speak alongside members of the government and convoy organisers. For those interested in our Irish Representative Clr Gerry MacLochlainn, the Deputy leader of the convoy, he will be doing an interview shortly after the one mentioned above with Rossi et al. Keep watch on Aljazeera or Presstv today for those live interviews.
I expect a phonecall the moment they touch Palestinian soil. I will rejoice for them, but I know I will have tears as well. I expected to be alongside them at this historic moment. To breathe Palestinian air, to hold Palestinian soil in my hand, to kiss the ground of Palestine,to witness the strength and undying spirit of the people,to tell them we will never forget, we will never give up, and we will never stop fighting for their freedom and rights.
as we once said for Ireland “Tiocfaidh ár lá ”
we now say “Tiocfaidh ár lá ” for Palestine
“Our Day Will Come”
The is a huge amount of Media that has gathered, both on the Egyptian side and the Gaza side of the border, just sitting there waiting for the convoy to move. It is now 4:45 PM in Egypt, although I have NO proof, my guess is the Egyptians are holding off until darkness in an attempt to dampen the pre-arranged press conference to be held on the other side, and hoping that perhaps some of the media will leave. Just my suspicions at this point, but we will see.
I expect some news very soon
The convoy members and the Politicians have all gone through Egyptian security at the border, entered the compound (passed the first checkpoint and entered the compound) where they had ALL of their passports stamped and APPROVED to LEAVE Egypt. That took place 4 hours ago. Now, Despite having all their passports stamped LONG ago, the members have been sitting and waiting for hours now for the final checkpoint to be opened to Gaza. They are 50 metres from Gaza right now!
Now, the Egyptians are are not allowing them to leave Egypt, this despite, I say again, their passports ARE stamped and APPROVED to LEAVE Egypt!
Additionally, there is some “talk” now of Egypt not allowing the total number of 98 people in the Convoy, to leave and enter Gaza, I say again, after they have already had their passports stamped allowing them to LEAVE Egypt. There are 40 vehicles on this convoy and all of the members are needed to deliver this aid to Gaza.
The Egyptian authorities have offered the members the opportunity to return to Al Arish for the night, whilst this negotiation/stand off continues. And then to return to the crossing tomorrow morning. Let me be clear, the convoy WILL NOT return to Al Arish, they will remain right where they currently are, at the border, as they have come this far and have been approved to LEAVE Egypt over 4 hours ago, even though they are currently being blocked from leaving Egypt by the same authorities who stamped their passports earlier in the day.
A large number of journalists and media are there, and even they are beginning to become agitated. So I expect we will begin to see some television coverage of this very soon.
As things progress I will keep the blog updated.
I have a few very important things to get out immediately. First most importantly, PRESSTV has a FALSE report on their website claiming this:
UK MPs on hunger strike over no Gaza entry
A group of British lawmakers en-route to the Gaza Strip have gone on a hunger strike after Egypt prevented their aid convoy from entering the besieged sliver.
The Convoy of Hope was expected to cross the Rafah border-crossing on Saturday, but reports say that Egyptian authorities have delayed its entry to the territory.
THIS REPORT IS 100% FALSE, they have confused the Doctors on Hungerstrike (who have been in Egypt since 5th of May) with the “Hope” Convoy members. I have verified this report directly from the Deputy Leader of the convoy himself. So it is false.
The 40-truck convoy carrying humanitarian aid, led by at least 150 people including European lawmakers was set to deliver to Gazans medical aids, wheel chairs and programs enabling the visually disabled to use computers.
Cairo however denied them entry, saying that only 20 people, minus aids, are allowed to cross Rafah — Gaza’s only border that bypasses Israel.
Egypt approved them all, and then stamped their approval stamp onto every single convoy members passport earlier today,which allows them to leave Egypt. Then all that was left to do was for Egypt to open the last gate to Gaza. The convoy members were only 50 metres from Gaza. However, they then sat there and waited for ages, then there were reports circulating that only a “smaller” number of members would be allowed though. This is NOT due to any “security” issues, as all have been approved and already had their passports stamped to leave the country, as I stated.
The initial number began at 10, negotiations, discussions and meetings ensued, then it was raised to 20 members only. Still, no where near enough to drive the aid into Gaza, given the fact that there are 39 trucks as mentioned. This was, and still is, unacceptable to the Convoy group. The aid must get into Gaza, that is the purpose of the convoy.
The Egyptians then offered to take the convoy members back to Al Arish for the night; as it was by this time close to 6PM Egypt time and people were not getting anywhere. The convoy members refused this offer after a meeting and decided to stay exactly where they were at the border alongside the convoy vehicles. About an hour ago I was told that the Egyptians were clearing a Mosque so that the women and disabled people could get some rest tonight, The men will remain with the vehicles all night long.
PRESSTV did make an attempt to do a live interview with Gerry MacLochlainn the deputy leader and Sinn Fein representative, which I watched on television. However, the mobile phone connection was not that good and the interview was short. However, what he said was just what I stated above in this update.
Now, it has been about 1 1/2 hours since then and I was actually on a phonecall with Clr MacLochlainn when he was attempting to give an update, when he was pulled for a meeting which appears to be still going on. I do not know what this meeting is for, or about at this time. But, I expect to have more news at some point this evening.
In a word, this sucks.
Egypt needs to open that damn gate now!
Desertpeace 
wings of light said,
May 25, 2009 at 05:19
The corrupt Egyptian regime is completely sold out to US & Israel, and will do Israels bidding and their dirty work for a payoff. This should come as a surprise to no-one.
The seige of Gaza could end tomorrow if Egypt ended its treacherous collaboration.
Steve Greaves, UTR said,
May 25, 2009 at 06:07
When you do your updates, could you please put in the time of day you are writing, or rather, completing the writing of each one, so it’s possible to have an accurate sense of when during which day or night the events you are reporting have happened. Thank you for your work.
DavidG. said,
May 25, 2009 at 08:07
I didn’t realize that Egypt was a province of Israel! Or is it that Israel controls the Egyptian Government too as it does the White House?
I’ll keep my fingers crossed that some sanity prevails!
Meryam said,
May 25, 2009 at 11:24
My heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the proud and courageous Irish people and all the supporters of Palestinians. As an Arab woman, I am ashamed of the so-called Arab “leaders”. They act (or keep silent) as if they are controlled by the US, i.e. Israel, and their people get punished if they object to their policies. Egypt must open Rafah gates permanently NOW!