The South Asian: A Humanitarian Caravan to Gaza

January 17, 2011

A Humanitarian Caravan to Gaza The second part of the effort by a group of Asian human rights activists to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza.

KURDISH TURKEY COMES OUT ON STREETS TO WELCOME THE GAZA CARAVAN
The first Asia to Gaza solidarity caravan reached Tibriz from Tehran on 13th December, 2010. On the way the people of Zanjan welcomed the caravan and offered lunch. The mayor of Tibriz, Alireza Novin, hosted the caravan. The member of the caravan from Republic of Azerbaijan, Hakim Alijade, was the most popular with the crowd as he spoke in Turkish which is a popular language in this region of Iran. Infact, Tibriz falls in the East Azerbaijan province of Iran. Upon reaching Tibriz and two days before crossing over into Turkey the caravan was greeted by the morale boosting news that seven members of parliament of Iran have decided to join the caravan to Gaza.

The second largest contingent, after India, of 13 members in this caravan is from Indonesia. Irman Abdurehman from this group informed the audience at the meeting in Tibriz that a voluntary organization Mer-C is planning to build a 100 bed trauma centre and rehabilitation hospital in Gaza.

Immediately after the 22 days brutal attack started on Gaza two years ago, in which 1366 people, half of whom were women, children and elderly, died, a team from Indonesia set off for Gaza on 1st January, 2009, and signed a MoU with the Palestinian health minister to set up this hospital here. The Palestinian government provided a 1.5 hectares waqf land for this purpose and the Indonesian government backed this effort by readily agreeing to contribute Rupiahs 10 billion, approximately equivalent to US $ 1 million, towards construction of this hospital. Mer-C has raised another Rp 13 billion. The Indonesians have decided to have a long term association with the people of Gaza and share their suffering by continuing to serve them.

Bazargaan was the last stop-over inside Iran before the caravan moved into Turkey. Insani Yardim Vakfi or IHH was the host organization here which is a big Islamic charity operating in 125 countries. More importantly, it was IHH which had organized the aid flotilla to Gaza which was attacked by Israel on 31 May, 2010, in which 9 people, Ibrahim Bilgen, Ali Haydar Bengi, Cengiz Songur, Cengiz Akyuz, Cevdet Kiliclar - a journalist shot from close range into forehead, Getin Topcuoglu - who beathed his last in his wife's arms on the ship, Fahri Yildiz, Furkan Dogan - 19 years old, and Necdet Yildirim died and one, Ugur Suleyman Sonmez, is still in coma. This single incident has changed the equation between Israel and Turkey. There is attempt by Israel and US to label IHH as a terrorist organization and IHH is taking legal action against Israel in order to identify the war criminals and prosecute them.

The caravan was taken to its first stop Van in the form of a convoy of vehicles. Several roadside receptions were organized on the way. In the public meeting held in a sports complex a speaker from the each of the countries represented in caravan Bahrain, Indonesia, Malaysia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Pakistan, Japan and India spoke. Advocate Gulden Sonmez and her colleague Nalan Dal who coordinated the meeting on behalf of IHH were both present on the ship Mavi Marmara, among the approximately 560 passengers, which bore the brunt of the Israeli attack on flotilla. Among other members present on the ship and who attended the meeting on 17th December, 2010, at Van were Abdulhalim Almali, Mehmet Gaken, Selahattin Ozer, Muhlis, Abdullah Camioglu, all from Turkey, and journalist Quassima Ibn Salah, of Moroccon origin. Among these Abdulhalim Almali was also wounded and is still recovering.

Later Gulden Sonmez shared with the caravan the preparations for the forthcoming event on 26th December, 2010, when the ship Mavi Marmara, having been released by Israel and repaired, except for the marks of attack, will return to Istanbul. Fifty thousand people from all over the world are likely to assemble to receive it. On 31 May, 2011, IHH is planning to organize a flotilla of fifty ships to the spot where the attack took place.
Israeli Prime Minister Banjamin Netanyahu has refused to apologize for the attack or pay compensation to the families of the deceased and injured. After UNHRC came up with an indicting report on the attack, another four member committee has been set up by the UN Secretary General with the objective of mediating between Israel and Turkey.

The next stop-over for the caravan was Diyarbakir, home of one of the martyrs of Mavi Marmara, Ali Haydar Bengi, after again being given several roadside receptions in cities falling on the way. The convoy had grown to about hundred vehicles on its second day in Turkey. In Diyarbakir police refused permission to hold an indoor meeting. People carrying placards with slogans in support of Gaza and Palestine and against Israel as well as photo of Ali Haydar Bengi, had lined the street. As a result a stree crossing meeting on an open truck was organized which was addressed among others by Fehmi Bulent Yildirim, the President of IHH, and the Indian organizer Feroze Mithiborwala. Mehmet Ali Zebec, from whoes body 9 bullets were taken out after the attack on Mavi Marmara, was present in the meeting in Diyarbakir.

Hundreds of pigeons, symbols of peace, were released as a mark of commitment of the movement to liberate Gaza and Palestine.The route of the caravan passed through the Kurdish areas of Turkey, where there is a simmering movement for autonomy. IHH wanted to convey to the people that as the caravan composed of people of different religious and ethnic backgrounds, Turks and Kurds needed to live together in harmony. In fact, after the attack on Mavi Marmara people with different shades of opinions in Turkey have come together on the question of ending the siege of Gaza. As Yildirim mentioned in a press conference later, anybobdy who had a soft corner for Israel was disillusioned now.

Common people who came to public events of the caravan in Turkey wanted their pictures to be taken with the caravan members to express their emotions of solidarity. They warmly shook hands and hugged the visitors. The caravan has been able to provide a channel to the people's sentiments. Like in Iran, men, women and children came out on streets to support the caravan and send their greetings to Gaza.

PALESTINIAN LEADERS RECEIVE THE CARAVAN IN DAMASCUS
Before leaving Diyarbakir on 19th December, 2010, for the last stop-over in Turkey, Gaziantep, the Asia to Gaza Solidarity Caravan visited the grave of Ali Haydar Bengi, the local man who got killed in the Israeli attack on flotilla from Turkey on 31 May, 2010, in international waters of Mediterrean Sea. His is one among the many graves with flowers planted on top in the graveyard but Bengi is now considered a proud martyr in Turkey as well as among Kurds. The members of caravan stood in silence for some moments at his grave.

Like all meetings in Turkey the one in Gaziantep was also organized in a sports complex. A student of Jamia Millia Islamia of New Delhi, Aslam Khan, said in his speech that supporting the cause of Palestine is important because success here will mean a setback to the march of imperialism globally.

The members of caravan were promised that they would be given Syrian visa on arrival. The process was smooth. The visa fees for 81 members from 9 countries was waived. The members waited in their buses as exit stamp was placed on their passports on Turkey side and visa was issued on the Syrian side at Eajaz. They changed into waiting buses from hosts in Syria. The Governor of Alappo province, Ali Ahmed Mansoora, was there to receive the caravan at the border. Five roadside receptions, including at Edlip and Homs, were given on the way to Damascus by people who came out with Syrian and Palestinian flags and hand written placards. Some of there were spontaneous.

The Red Crescent of Iran has decided to donate USD 7,00,000 worth of medicines to be sent with this caravan. With the money donated for ambulances and medical-surgical equipments by the Iranian parliament the total contribution from Iran alone as aid to Gaza has reached USD 1 million now.

Charitable Association for Palestinian Relief hosted a meeting for the caravan on 21st December in Damascus. Ahmad Abdul Karim, on behalf of this organization as well as a member of Baath Party in Syria, assured his full support to the Asian caravan. Palestinian leaders Ramzam Abdullah of Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine and Ahmad Jibril Abu Jehad, of leftist orientation, also spoke on the ocassion.

Another high point of the caravan was meeting on 22nd December in Damascus which was addressed by Khalid Meshal, Head of the Political Affairs of Hamas, the group in power in Gaza. Khalid Meshal paid his tributes to Mahatma Gandhi for his inspiring struggle against the colonialism. He thanked the caravan, especially the two families - an Indian and a Pakistani - who were accompanying it as well as the families of caravan members who couldn't come for their support. He said he was happy to receive the caravan in Damascus and hoped that one day he will receive them in liberated Gaza and finally in liberated Palestine at Jerusalem.

Khalid Meshal made is clear that Palestinians are fighting for a real state without any occupation and with Jerusalem as its capital. All mosques and churches, including the Al Aqsa mosque, will be free in this Palestine and Jews, Muslims and Christians will live together as equal citizens. At the end of the meeting the Indian organizer Feroze Mithiborwala presented him a copy of Mahatma Gandhi's autobiography.

In an interview later in response to a question on Indian government's changing stand vis-a-vis Israel he said India, as an ancient civilisation, has had a traditional relationship with Arab world and it too had to fight against the imperialist power, hence it would do well to reflect on its position. In reponse to another question as to why, unlike Yasser Arafat, he was not reaching out to the world and especially to India, Khalid Meshal said he would be happy to come to India if invited. It is noteworhty that Brazil had recognized Palestine as a state just the previous day.

In the evening the caravan members were invited by Khaled Abed Al-Majeed, General Secretary of the Palestinian Popular Struggle Front, to visit the refugees in Yarmouk camp where close to one lakh people live. Damascus is home to about 5 to 6 lakhs Palestinian refugees.

On 23rd December, some members of the caravan were invited to Beirut where they met the former Prime Minister of Lebanon and now the President of International Committee to Break the Siege of Gaza, Dr. Salim Hoss. In an informal chat, at his apartment on the 6th floor of a building in the heart of city, he said one should be prepared for the worst from Israel which commits barbaric acts in the name of self defence whereas it is actually the Arab nations which have to worry about their self defence against Israel. He admitted that Lebanon has been the victim of Israeli aggression often but lately because of facing stiff resistance Israel has become careful. He said that Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, numbering about 50,000 were quite well behaved even though the Lebanese government was not able to take complete care of them.

Former member of parliament, Osman Saad, welcomed the caravan in Saida, capital of South Lebanon, the next day after which it was taken to the hilltop war museum at Mleeta, centre of valliant resistance against the Israeli occupation of Lebanon. Beginning with the first attack on Lebanon in 1975, Beirut was invaded in 1982, the second Arab capital to fall to Israel after Jerusalem in 1948. It tool 15 years of struggle before Israel partially withdrew from Saida and villages surrounding Mleeta in 2000 before its conclusive defeat in 2006. While the South Lebanon Army was fighting along with the Israeli forces it was Hizbullah which emerged as the saviour of Lebanese society.

The caravan which has now grown to 164 members - 60 from India, 32 from Jordan, 20 from Iran, 13 from Indonesia, 10 from Lebanon, 9 from Pakistan, 6 from Turkey, 4 from Bahrain, 3 from Malaysia, 2 each from Japan and Bangladesh and 1 each from Syria, Azerbaijan and Tajikistan - is now awaiting the clearance from Egyptian authorities to leave the shores of Syria to sail to Egypt before its final entry into Gaza.

HUMANITARIAN AID SAILS ON FINAL LEG OF ITS JOURNEY TO GAZA
The Asia to Gaza caravan arrived to a grand welcome by the Governor of Latakia, Dr. Khalyl Mashhaddya, a cardio-thoracic surgeon, on 25th December, 2010, in the port city of Syria, with school children playing their band and raising pro-Palestine and pro-Syria placards on the street. Next day at a meeting the Baath Party office bearer and former Ambassador to India, Dr. Mohsen Alkhyyr, spoke fondly of the vision of Gandhi and role of Nehru in giving shape to the Non-Aligned Movement along with Nasser, Tito and Sukarno. It is interesting that the role of India which is appreciated by leaders of especially the third world countries is from the days of Gandhi and Nehru. People like to avoid mentioning the changing foreign policy of India under the recent regimes, abandoning the cause of non-alignment and trying to jump on the bandwagon of developed nations and military powers.

While awaiting the clerance from Egyptian authorities for entering Gaza, the caravan members were invited by a host of organizations - of students, farmers, workers and engineers. The caravan members also visited the Al-aa-Deen camp of Palestinian refugees, some of whom came as far back as in 1948.

This camp is also host to Syrian refugees from Golan Heights and some Palestinian refugees from Iraq. Except for the citizenship right the earlier refugees enjoy all the benefits entitled to Syrian citizens. But the Palestinian refugees admit quite unambiguously that they are the guests of Syrian government. The day the situation will become normal they'll return to their homeland after handing over their property to the Syrian government. The Syrian government also considers the Palestinian people as their own. The banner to welcome to caravan on behalf of Governor of Latakia read: 'The masses of the Governorate of Latakia Salute the Free Men of Convoy Asia (1) to Break the Siege of Our People in Gaza.' The caravan members have been received warmly in the Arab world as they are seen as supporting an Arab cause.

The Egyptian government gave permission to 120 people to enter Gaza as opposed to the promise of an earlier figure of 100 but was quite clear that they would not allow any Iranian citizens, including 7 members of parliament - Mahmoud Ahmadi Biqash, Avaz Heidarpour, Parvi Sarvari, Ali Motahhari, Ali Asqar Zarei, Hassan Qafourifard and Shabib Jooyjari. They also denied permission to 6 Jordanian activists, who have taken strong positions earlier not palatable to the Egypt, Israel or US. This was not totally unexpected.

Egypt and Iran have strained ties for the last 30 years. Since the days when Egypt gave asylum to Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the Camp David Accord after the Egyptian recognition to Israel, support to Iraq in Iran-Iraq war and in response Iran deciding to name a street after Khaled Islambouli, the assasin of Egyptian president Anwar Sadat, there have been no diplomatic relations between Egypt and Iran. Lately, Iran's support to Hizbullah and Hamas is also a source of concern for Egypt. The First Asia to Gaza Solidarity Caravan faced a dilemma. How could some friends be left behind because of the whims of Egyptian government? But in the end the Iranian members prevailed over the group and convinced everybody that even they would be most happy only if the caravan reaches Gaza. Nothing is more serious that the pain and suffering of people of Gaza, who were looking forward to the arrival of First Asia to Gaza Solidarity caravan. They could not be disappointed. Hence a decision was taken by consensus for the caravan to move ahead.

On 30th December the caravan members cheered the staff of Latakia Port as they loaded humanitarian aid - food, medicines, stationery for children and four ambulances - on the ship appropriately named 'Salam' or peace by raising pro-Palestine slogans. Eight members of the caravan, Brigadier Sudhir Sawant, former MP, Ajit Sahi, senior journalist, Sheheen Kattiparambil, young activist of Jamat-e-Islami, Aslam Khan, student leader of AISA, all from India, Koichi Sakaguchi from Japan, Hakim Alizade from Azerbaijan, Muhammad Husein from Indonesia and Norazli Bin Musa from Malaysia were given the responsibility to accompany the ship to Al Arish port in Egypt.

On the new year's day of 2011 the ship sailed from the Latakia port amidst cheering by the remaining members of the caravan and Latakian citizens. The Governor of Latakia accompanied by the Baath Party chief was there on both ocassions, when the loading was taking place as well as when it sailed. The send off became quite emotional as there was a realization that Israelis may intercept the ship in mid water. Ajit Sahi speaking before the ship's departure said that in case of any mishappening, this caravan to Gaza must not stop and there should be more such caravans. Quoting Mahatma Gandhi he said bravery is not in killing people but in sacrificing one's life fighting against injustice. It is amazing how Gandhi has become relevant for the Asia to Gaza caravan. Historically, he had disapproved of the creation of Israel and said Palestine belongs to the Arabs in the same sense that England belongs to the English and France to the French. The flags of India, Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, Syria, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Azerbaijan and Palestine were waved by caravan members on board as the ship left the shores of Latakia.

The humanitarian aid will be joined by rest of the members of caravan who will fly to Al Arish in Egypt and the caravan will cross the nearby Rafah border to enter Gaza on 2nd January, exactly a month after it was flagged off from Rajghat, thereby achieving its final objective.

BREAKING THE SIEGE OF GAZA
The First Asia to Gaza Caravan was given a warm send off from Latakia, Syria, where the Baath Party Chief and former Ambassador to India, Dr. Mohsen Alkhyyr, accompanying the Governor of Latakia, announced that the names of the caravan members would be mentioned in the text books as brave people who came for a moral cause.

After flying into Al Arish from Damascus the caravan was held up for 4 hours at the Egyptian airport. It took a mild protest before it was let off to make its entry at midnight on the night of 2nd/3rd January, 2011, into Gaza. A warm welcome awaited at the border where a press conference was held past midnight.

From external appearance one cannot tell that there is anything wrong with the place except for resistance graffiti on the wall and some signs of devastation in the form of rubbles. The people of Gaza have bravely gone on with their lives and have tried to maintain a reasonably good standard of living with a sense for aesthetics. It looks like any other city from the Arab world, probably more culturally evolved. It is only when one begins talking to the people the tragedy of the place dawns.

Afnan, a 20 years old youth, was telling the audience about her father who was arrested by the Israeli authorities when she was just four, in a meeting organized by the Ministry of Detainee's Affairs. Plaestine would be a rare state to have a ministry by that name. 7,500 Palestinians languish in Israeli jails of whom 340 are children and 33 women. Some have been there for more than 20-30 years now.

Mahmoud Al Zahar, a senior Hamas leader, has lost two sons, in Israeli attacks. Khaled was killed on 10th September, 2003, in an attack on Zahar's house intended to assasinate him and Hussaim was killed on 15th January, 2008. But there are no signs of dilution in committment to the Palestinian cause on Mahnoud Al Zahar's face. He patiently explained how, because Palestinians were fighting for a moral cause, they were bound to succeed.

Associated with Hamas since its beginning, he thinks the Palestinian resistance to Israel is the strongest in its current phase. He also viewed caravans such as Asia to Gaza playing an important role in breaking the siege of Gaza. Israel had allowed a hundred lorries into Gaza with essential material items, including fuel and food, to enter the same day as Asia to Gaza caravan.

On 4th January, a meeting was scheduled with the PM of Palestine, Ismail Haniya, another unassuming man. He said that he had been following the Asia to Gaza caravan all through and such efforts lift the spirit of people of Palestine. Pooja Badekar and Biraj Patnaik from India presented him an autobiography and a poster of Mahatma Gandhi. During the meeting power supply was cut off for a couple of minutes before the generators took over, a reflection of the effect of siege.

Incidently, Egypt did not allow generators as part of humanitarian aid. The ship carrying the aid was stuck at Al Arish port for about two complete days after being followed by two Israeli boats for day long on 2nd January on its way from Latakia. The port authorities in Egyptian port did not cooperate with the eight caravan members on board and there was attempt by some unscrupulous elements to extract a bribe in return for the material to be unloaded. Caravan member Sakaguchi from Japan had to take charge of the crane to unload material from ship, Hakim Alizade from Azerbaijan had to fix two ambulances which did not start in the beginning and Ajit Sahi from India had to threaten the immigration officials that he would wander out of the port and was willing to be shot if caravan members were not given their passports and allowed to proceed with the aid. The eight caravan members leaving behind rest of the aid drove the four ambulances to Gaza reaching there on 4th January night, escaping the hostile port officials and mafia. Four truck loads of medicines also arrived at the Rafah crossing the next day but it is unclear what would happen with the food, toys and stationery.

Meanwhile siege makes life difficult for people in Gaza. At the main hospital in Gaza, Al-Shifa, doctors informed that 162 medicines and essential items were not in stock because of the siege. Israelis have not even spared hospitals in their attacks. Al Wafa Rehabilitation Centre for the handicapped was bombed in 2003, killing two nurses. It was rebuilt with Malaysian help. Before this centre started functioning the patients had to go to Israeli hospitals and pay high fees. One can also see a number of places where building material is recovered from the rubbles, as it cannot enter Gaza. The indomitable spirit of Palestinians has come up with innovative ways including using tunnels across the borders to get essential material items required for their survival.

Aslam Khan, student leader of All India Students Association, commented that the Palestinians are already liberated in their spirit. The siege cannot contain them. Such people can never be defeated.

By Sandeep Pandey, A-893, Indira Nagar, Lucknow-226016, U.P., India, Telephone: 91 522 2347365, 91 9415022772, e-mail: ashaashram@yahoo.com Posted by collective at January 17, 2011 03:45 AM

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