A solidarity convoy made it into the Gaza Strip on Monday evening, through the Rafah Border Terminal, between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. Members of the ‘Freedom Spring’ convoy will be holding meetings with political and social figures in Gaza.Representatives of Arab Spring movement are part of the convoy and plan to hold a meeting with Ismail Haniyya, Prime Minister of the dissolved Hamas-led government in Gaza, and several Palestinian officials, in addition to holding meetings with Gaza businessmen, representatives of women movements, and representatives of local NGO’s.
The visiting convoy members will be touring refugee camps in Gaza, to observe the dire situation, and also intend to visit the UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East).
The convoy is distinguished by the participation of representatives of the Arab Spring, sweeping across the Arab world demanding justice and change, in addition to parliamentarians from different countries around the world.
In cooperation with different groups and organizations, convoy members will be working on issuing the World People Declaration against the illegal Israeli siege imposed by Israel on the Gaza Strip.
Dr. Ahmad Bahar, deputy head of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), stated that this is a historic visit, adding ‘that convoy members managed to defend their people’s dignity and honor, “and now, they came to Gaza to express support and solidarity with its people’.
During a press conference held at the Rafah Terminal on Tuesday evening, Bahar stated that delegations visiting Gaza to express solidarity with its people, and to deliver humanitarian supplies, play an essential role in the steadfastness of the besieged people in Gaza.
“You came to challenge this siege, I want to tell you that today is the beginning of the end of this siege, the siege that was never lifted, despite conspiracies, and claims of easing it”, Bahar said, “This conspiracy is against the steadfastness of our people, the people who defend their dignity, children and country, the people who want to liberate Jerusalem”.
Dr. Salah Sultan, head of the “Egyptian Popular Committee Against the Judaisation of Jerusalem”, stated that convoy members came to Gaza to aid it and its people, and will “return as fighters and liberators of Jerusalem and the Al Aqsa Mosque”, the Hamas-affiliated Palestine-Info reported.
“We will stand with you, the world will stand with you, to defend Jerusalem, especially after the Zionists declared plans demolish the historic Moghrabi (Magharba) Gate in Jerusalem that links between the Al Boraq Wall and the Al Aqsa Mosque”, Sultan added.
On his part, Dr. Arafat Madi, head of the European Campaign to end the Siege on Gaza, stated that this convoy carries two messages; solidarity, as activists from more than 40 countries are part of this convoy, and to tell the people of Gaza “that they are not alone in the struggle against the Zionist occupation, that will vanish and end soon”.
A representative of activists from countries in Latin America stated that “13 persons traveled far away from home, to be here with you, to clearly declare their rejection to the illegal siege on Gaza”.
She added that the Palestinians have the legitimate right to be independent, to have their human and legitimate right to life.
An activist from the United States said that human right activists in the country are contacting legislators and elected officials urging them to recognize the Palestinian right to justice.
Yousef Ramees, member of the Libyan February 17 Coalition, stated that the people of Gaza, the people of Palestine, inspired the Arab revolutions against injustice, and remain steadfast against the “Zionist destruction machine”.
