Action Alert! Egypt Denies Palestine Convoy Entry into Gaza

The "Viva Palestina!" convoy, which departed London in early December on its way to Gaza, has been forcibly trapped in Aqaba, Jordan as the Egyptian authorities have denied them entry. The convoy is delivering much needed aid to the besieged people of Gaza and is in need of your support.

As you're no doubt aware, the Egyptian authorities have been blockading Gaza, aiding Israel in its continued stranglehold on the area now known as "world's largest open prison". It is now ensuring that vital aid will not reach those that need it most.

The Convoy is need of support from all of us.

What You Can Do

We need to get in touch with our embassies and local MPs to contact the Egyptian authorities and demand that the convoy be granted safe passage through Egypt to Gaza.

1) Contact Your local MP: http://findyourmp.parliament.uk/

2) Egyptian Embassy in London
020 7499 3304/2401
eg.emb_london@mfa.gov.eg

3) David Miliband (Foreign Secretary/Labour MP for South Shields)
milibandd@parliament.uk
(0191) 456 8910

4) Nick Clegg (Leader of Lib Dems, MP for Sheffield Hallam). Nick Clegg recently wrote in the Guardian regarding the Gaza blockade.
nickclegg@sheffieldhallam.org.uk
cleggn@parliament.uk

5) British Embassy in Egypt
Tel: +(20)(2)27916000
information.cairo@fco.gov.uk

Here is a template letter you can use in your correspondence (hat tip: Palestinian Solidarity Campaign)

[Your address]

Dear ------

I have been following the progress of a convoy taking aid to the Gaza strip. The convoy consists of over 200 vehicles carrying many thousands of pounds worth of aid, and has been organized by Viva Palestina and Code Pink. Many of the activists taking part have gone from the United Kingdom.

It has recently come to my attention that Egyptian authorities have blocked the progress of the convoy by denying entry to Egypt. The convoy is currently waiting in Jordan to be permitted to board a ferry across the Red Sea. I have heard from one person in the convoy who has decribed how they are cold and have little access to food at the moment.

I am kindly requesting that you use your position and influence to help us persuade the Egyptian authorities to permit the convoy to pass safely. This is very important to me, both for my hope that the people in Gaza will receive the much-needed aid, and also out of concern for my friends in the convoy.

Kind regards,

[Your full name]