FROM INDIA TO EGYPT: ASIAN AID SHIP REACHES GAZA CROSSING
- NewArticle
- Published:04 Ocak 2011, Salı
- Updated:19 Ocak 2011, Çarşamba
A ship carrying aid from Asia for the Gaza Strip was allowed to dock in Egypt's el-Arish port on Tuesday, after nearly three days of waiting for permission, organizers of the relief effort said.
"Asia2Gaza paid 10,000 dollars to Egypt and finally was allowed to dock the aid ship in el-Arish," said the group on its Twitter page Tuesday morning.
An Egyptian security source said the holdup was due to the refusal of the group to pay a berthing fee of some 30,000 dollars to port officials.
The aid group had said it could not drum up the sum.
Around 112 activists who were accompany the vessel entered Gaza via Egypt's Rafah border crossing after flying in from Damascus in the early hours on Monday.
But Egypt refused entry to seven Iranians members of parliament and 13 other activists and journalists from different nationalities who were part of the convoy.
The group entered without the aid, which was still on the ship.
The ship is carrying 1,000 tons of food and medical supplies, four ambulances and eight school buses for people living in the Palestinian territory, which is subject to an Israeli blockade and siege.
It was not immediately clear what other items the group would be allowed to take into Gaza, as Israel has guidelines to differentiate between humanitarian necessities and what it deems as non-essential luxuries.
The vessel began its journey in India as part of the Asia2Gaza Caravan campaign, passing through Iran, Turkey and Syria.
The aid shipment has travelled over 7,000 kilometres to deliver humanitarian supplies to the Gaza Strip's 1.5 million inhabitants, 80 per cent of whom still depend on humanitarian aid as their conditions continue to stagnate, according to a recent statement by the United Nations relief agency in the Middle East.
Egypt's approval is required to reach the Gaza Strip through Rafah, particularly since Israel tightened its blockade after Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007.
- Censorship scandal in the British press
Authorities from England’s Ministry of Defense have supposedly sent a ‘D notice’ to the BBC and other media establishments as a warning to censor coverage of surveillance tactics employed by U.K. and U.S. intelligence agencies.
- The European Parliament’s criticism of Turkey
European Parliament members talk of constructively criticizing Turkey, while canceling a projected visit due to the situation caused by protests.
- Turks in New York protest CNN coverage
The Turkish-American ‘Everything for Turkey Platform’, left a black wreath which read "The Turkish public will never forget CNN’s manipulations” in front of the CNN building in New York on Saturday.
- Turks residing in the U.S. to hold rally against Taksim protesters
A foundation entitled the “Every Thing for Turkey Platform” (Her şey Türkiye İçin Platformu) has announced they will be holding a demonstration in New York aimed at preserving Turkey’s best interests.
- Is the Iran media seeking chaos in Turkey?
Muhammed Alabasy, who has been working for Iran’s Al Alam television station for the past eight years of his 36-year career in journalism, has resigned due to being pressured to use the term “Turkish Spring” in reference to the nationwide protests in Turkey.
- “Assad who exceeded his father will pay the price”
Prime Minister Erdoğan, whose trip took him to Algeria criticized Assad stating that “His father massacred Humus. His son is doing far more. These workings are not forgivable.”
- Assad: The missiles have arrived
Syrian President Assad has announced that they have reaceived the initial delivery of S-300 missiles from Russia. Russian Defense Minister Shoigu stated “Russia may deliver new assault weapons to Syria.
- Syria summit planned for end of June
A meeting between U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the upcoming second Geneva Conference which aims to find a political solution to the crisis in Syria failed to reap a precise date for when the summit will actually take place.
- Ban lifted on offering arms to Syria’s opposition
After a marathon negotiating session of EU Foreign Ministers, a ban on arming the Syrian opposition in order to protect the innocent public has in effect been lifted. England’s unyielding stance in favor of the embargo’s expiration was influential in the decision-making process.
- Iran provides Assad financial support
Iran has issued a four billion-dollar worth credit to Syria.
- Assad’s chemical use caught red-handed
The allegations the Syrian regime is using chemical warfare against the opposition, which have been put forth by Turkey, the United States and Israel, have now been confirmed. Reporters from Le Monde which spent months on the opposition front lines say the weapons are being masked by tear gas to make detection that much harder.
- Suu Kyi comes to defense of Muslims in Myanmar
Myanmar opposition leader and pro-democracy champion Aung San Suu Kyi condemned on Monday a policy by a district government to limit Muslim Rohingya families to two children in an effort to curb their population growth, calling it both discrimination and going against human rights.
- “Wars are not won at the table”
President of the Syrian National Council George Sabra says they are not hopeful regarding Geneva II and that there is no way they will attend a conference while the situation in Syria remains as it is. “You win a war on the battlefield and not at the table,” says Sabra.
- Obama warns Myanmar on killings of Muslims
Days after Prime Minister Erdoğan called on U.S. President Obama to take action against the ongoing massacres suffered by Muslims in Myanmar, during a meeting held in the Oval Office of the White House, the U.S. leader hosted Myanmar President Thein Sein for a meeting in the very same location.
