VIVA PALESTINA

photos prises entre Tidjelabine et Thenia (W Boumerdes)

Chemseddine, ils ont posté tes photos....

Convoy Update
23.00 (GMT) Tuesday 24th February 2009

It has been a long drive across the hills of Bouira,Borj Bouareridj and Setif. The same warm welcome and generosity was shown by the Algerian crowds.Rabah, Palestinian tells me that they stopped for some Algerian Merguez (Sausages), the man refused to get paid and filled their van with bottled water and drinks.
The reason for the delays also has something to do with fuel stoppages. Apparently it can take up to 3 hours to fill up if you are at the back of the convoy.
This time they were split into groups.The first group left the rest crawling and arrived to Constantine more than an hour ahead.It is raining over there at the moment.
As I am writing, I believe that they are now in Ein Samara on the outskirts of Constantine. When I was there 28 years ago, it was a campus and student area. My contact from Alchorouk daily, Belgacem Adjadj and his photographer Alaeddine, told me that the newspaper organised accomodation at hotels.
However,the convoy may be spending the night in their vans due to a leadership decision. Unless there are last minute changes. A member of the convoy is however spending the night in a hotel suffering from extreme exhaustion. I am told he will be fine in the morning.
The drive tomorrow should be much easier with a shorter route and better roads towards hopefully Annaba. If not they will head for Tebessa which will mean crossing into Tunisia further south.

Update by Farid Arada

Très bon travail Chems eddine, j'aurais aimé être présent parmi vous

moi j'aurai aime partir avec eux...

En tout cas leur passage par l'Algérie aura été bien suivi par les algériens qui ont contribué à enrichir le site web de l'action VIVA PALESTINA..


Please check out the excellent pictures here from the crossing into Algeria and beyond from the photographers Younes Oubaiche and Alaeddine Bouimout of the newspaper ECHOROUK daily and Aouni from Bir El Arch

25/02/2009
Thank you, thank you, and one thousand thank you. (recieved by email with pictures)

I am Aouni from Algeria , today at 9 pm your convoy traveling to GAZA past near our city , we see the people in fire engine , we take picture , and believe me we don t now that the convoy past in our city BIR EL ARCH between SETIF and CONSTANTINE. We told them if we know we would invite them in our home to eat some traditional foods.

And we hope organise to invite them when they return but they said the return is from EGYPT by air.
What can we do. We take also pictures with Mr Muhamed Muazzam, Wasim Ali and Imran Faisal they give as a Viva Palestina websit and and emails, they are a wonderful people , they ask how long to CONSTANTINE and we told them only 87 KM - about one houre and quater,
We made a goodby and pray God to protect them all, in this mision,
They take our heart with them , we like to go with them but ,,,,
Thank you, thank you, and one thousand thank you.
Aouni from Algeria

Viva Palestina Email Alert
25th February 2009 (#2)

A week of solidarity with Gaza: 7th - 14th March 2009

The Viva Palestina team have been over-whelmed by the generousity, solidarity and kindness of all those who have supported the convoy - as it has first been organised, then it departed and now as it has then travelled several thousand kilometres across Europe and north Africa. We are full of admiration for our sisters and brothers who are daily pushing themselves to the limit to take much needed aid to Gaza.

Sadly, the national media in Briatin have decided that the Viva Palestina convoy and, it seems, the plight of Gaza is no longer the news it once was - and they have moved on in search of new stories. But for millions the issue of Palestine and the siege of Gaza remains THE issue on the global stage.

So we are suggesting that in the areas where the convoy has had such a huge resonance - and indeed in paces where the majority have yet to hear of us - we try and keep the convoy in the news. We are suggesting that people try and organise to be part of a "week of solidarity" to take place between March 7th and March 14th.

That week, which will coincide with the convoy reaching Egypt and then Gaza, could involve a range of events - large and small across the county - to raise funds and awareness for the convoy and the situation in Gaza.

Suggestions include:-

* Fund-raising dinners at a local restaurant;
* Bring and buy sales or jumble sales;
* A get-together in someone's house to discuss the convoy and solidarity with Palestine or celebate Palestinian culture and food;
* Meetings in colleges or universities;
* Leafleting of the local high street, mosques and other place of worship.
(We have psoted a high resolution flyer - suitable for professional printers at http://www.vivapalestina.org/resources.htm

Infcat, please think of any activity that can bring people together - in love and solidarity of our besieged friends in Gaza. Let us free our imaginations.

If you are able to organise any event please let us know at website@vivapalestina.org (title your email week of Solidarity event) and we will post up the events on the website. But don't forget to let your local newspaper, especially the freesheets, know as they are more likely to report than the national press.

Let us come together to show the people of Gaza that they have not been forgotten.

Viva Palestina!

Pourquoi est-ce que le passage de la "Caravane to Ghaza" a été si peu médiatisé? Je m'attendais à plus d'interet de la part de nos medias. J'dois avouer que si ça n'avait pas été sur le forum, je n'aurai jamais su que le convoi allait passer par l'Algerie ..
C'est plutôt curieux, et assez décevant de la part des journaux qui n'hésitaient pas à mettre des photos d'enfants éventrés quotidiennement à la Une il n'y a pas si longtemps .. je ne veux pas me pronnoncer trop vite en disant que ces journaux là n'avaient pour seul but que de vendre leurs torchons, et qu'ils ont utilisé à fond la formule "Choquer pour vendre" au temps le drame de Ghaza était encore .. "rentable". Oups .. je l'ai dit ..

seul Echourouk en avait parlé, cela donne un peu une idée de l'hypocrisie de certains de nos officiels.

Convoy on the move in Algeria
Thanks to Ryad & Zahia for the video

A ROUGH NIGHT IN GAFSA

The first part of the journey in Tunisia did not go as planned. After receiving food at the border,there was a huge popular support in the town of Gafsa which slowed the convoy down. The authorities were taken by surprise and feared a riot according to some drivers.
By then about a third had already carried on to the town of GABES (click map), another 3 hours away,where george and the governor of the city had booked accomodation for the convoy.
So, the convoy was split and two thirds stayed the night in their vehicles in Gafsa. They were unfortunate with the weather as sand storms and rain hit the area.
Some drivers are feeling very tired. Rabah is suffering from a bout of Tonsillitis and could have done from a night in the warmth and Anti-Biotics.
Talat would like to reassure all the families that it is a gruelling journey for a good cause and that everyone on board is coping well. He told me to convey a message of 'Not to worry'.
They are now close to the city of Gabes where they will rejoin the rest of the group. The consensus is that they HAVE to rest today before making a push towards the Libyan border for the sake of their health and safety.
Farid Arada
__________________________________________________________________________________

Convoy Update
16 .30 (GMT) Thursday 26th February 2009

CONFUSION THEN CLARIFICATION
This morning Press TV reported that two female members of the convoy had been arrested by the Tunisian authorities. We have been in constant touch with some drivers who initially had not heard of this incident.

The convoy leaders have now confirmed that the two women and the men who were also in the two vehicles are now in Libya - having been escorted there by the Tunisian authorities. The rest of the convoy is fine, staying in 4 star hotel accommodation and a rally is planned in a stadium this afternoon. One text message read 'jst tempory arrest all sortd'. At 16.00 one of the convoy leaders reported that they were ‘relaxing in the sun watching a game of football.

I am told that it is all somewhat of a misunderstanding. The two vehicles travelled with the convoy from the border but became detached from it soon after. The convoy had stopped for rest, earlier than planned, as the drivers were very tired. However, the two vehicles headed for a destination to get repairs done - but were unaware that the destination had since been changed - so they ended up in the wrong city. When the police contacted the convoy we asked that they be escorted back to the convoy. But some confusion led to an unnecessary misunderstanding, and the people were escorted to the Libyan border.
We sincerely hope that this incident has now been resolved to the satisfaction of all. The rest of convoy is together in Gabes, the last stop before heading for the Libyan border. The authorities have refuelled the vehicles and given them mechanical check ups. The popular support in Tunisia has been overwhelming.

I am told that the convoy would like to stay out of any local politics and just highlight the plight of the Palestinian people and their urgent need for assistance.

It is likely that they will enter Libyan soil on Saturday as originally planned, where they will have another experience of North African hospitality.

Farid Arada and others
____________________________________________________________________________________

Convoy Update
23 .30 (GMT) Thursday 26th February 2009

GABES OFFERS RESPITE TO CONVOY

The mood today was of relief. After a marathon drive through Algeria and further south in Tunisia, the convoy has been relaxing today in good standard hotels in the city of Gabes.

They are enjoying nice food and the facilities of the hotel complex including swimming pools. Some are sleeping, the others are taking strolls on the beach to walk off those stiff legs and muscles.

The Tunisians have shown their hospitality by offering free fuel, servicing and repairs to the vehicles and accomodation.

The alarm clock will go off at 06.00am when the convoy will head for the border with Libya. It is anticipated that they will cross into Libya sometimes during the day.

Tripoli is about 430km away(about 270miles), so there is every chance that they will make it to the Capital tomorrow where the Libyan people will emulate their brothers in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia in welcoming the Viva Palestina convoy with open arms and show their love and appreciation.
Farid Arada and others

http://www.vivapalestina.org

The Mark Steel artcile The Independent didn't publish
Viva Palestina Email Alert
26th February 2009
L'article est publié sur le Blog de Mark Steel, sous le titre :

The role of the teddy in a holy jihad

No column in The Independent again this morning, as they weren't overly keen on the issue I was writing about, which is connected to the Viva Palestina convoy of trucks, that left London on February 14th to deliver food and medicine to Gaza.

The convoy was financed by collections throughout the country, which were enough to fund 110 vehicles on a journey to across the channel, through France, Spain, across North Africa and hopefully through Egypt into Gaza. This, you might imagine, is the sort of charitable venture that would be publicised across the media as a chirpy feelgood tale, perhaps involving a regular feature on Blue Peter and at some point resulting in Cat Deeley squealing 'The response has been AMAZING, you've been ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC'.

But in the tradition that anyone's permitted to carry out crazy wacky acts as long as it involves charity, the police decided to contribute to the event with a spectacular lark. Early in the morning, on the day the convoy left, they arrested nine people on the M65 under the Terrorism Act, who were on their way to Hyde Park, where the journey was due to begin. They blocked off an entire section of motorway, and grabbed their suspects with what was described in the local newspaper as "Dozens of police cars, vans, 4x4 vehicles and a helicopter."

The first I knew of this episode was from that afternoon's BBC news, on which it was the main item. Which is as you might expect, with nine suspected terrorists being pounced on by an operation that included a helicopter. To be fair, the BBC journalists didn't have to work too hard to find the story, as the police informed them in advance, and in addition, by a splendid coincidence, a press photographer happened to be on hand to record this successful swoop.

Maybe this is how the police plan to fund themselves from now on. They'll follow the practice of celebrities and stage their events so they can be sold to OK and Hello. Major criminals will find themselves lying on the floor in handcuffs, while a photographer claps his hands and calls out "That's lovely, now can we do the arrest one more time while the Inspector stands just behind kissing his wife, and then have a profile of the murderer's assistant on a sheepskin rug in front of a coal fire."

The news reported that the terrorists were on the way to join the Viva Palestina convoy, which straight away seemed a little peculiar. Why would terrorists be on the way to join such an event? What would they be planning to attack? The convoy of trucks heading for Gaza? And what sort of Jihadist terrorist would say "I know how we'll move around without being noticed - we'll drive down the motorway in three vans with Palestinian flags flapping from the windows and a fucking great 'Viva Palestina' logo painted on the side."

The story was reported in almost every Sunday paper, with headlines such as “Galloway’s Aid Convoy linked to three terror suspects”, in the Mail on Sunday. And they had the effect of reducing contributions to the charity by eighty per cent, as the astute might have been able to predict. But the nine men, six from Blackburn and three from Burnley, were questioned, and the lorries, which were full of children's toys, were searched. And presumably the head of the anti-terrorist squad stood there throughout saying "Check that Bratz for semtex." By the next morning six were released without any charges, and a few days later the other three were released as well, the police appearing to be duly embarrassed to the extent they've paid the fares so the wrongly arrested men could catch up with the convoy, which by now was moving into Algeria.

The local councillor for the arrested men in Burnley is Wajid Khan, described how they were “Well respected men in the community, seen in a positive light.”

Presumably then, all the broadcasters and newspapers who considered it a major story that the police had successfully pulled off this anti-terrorist operation will now make it an equally prominent story that the arrests had no validity whatsoever. Apart from anything else there must be many people who saw that story, and are wondering why they've heard nothing about it since, assuming a bunch of terrorists have escaped and are running round on the loose. They may even indulge in some investigative work, which will show that three of the arrested men are defence witnesses in a separate trial, which may, or may not be a coincidence.

So you can't help be suspicious that the arrest of people volunteering for charity may be connected to them being Muslims, and being associated with Palestine. If not it's going to mean Comic Relief this year will be chaos, with Richard Hammond and Lenny Henry spending the whole evening making announcements such as "Now we're going to meet the wonderful children of St. Josephs junior school in Kidderminster, who've raised two hundred and sixty-four pounds with a sponsored cartwheel race. So here's Alan Titchmarsh to speak to them from their high security cell in Belmarsh."

Le convoi britannique de solidarité avec Ghaza fait escale à Gabès

Douze tonnes de denrées alimentaires ont été remis au convoi, à GabèsGABES, 26 fév. 2009 (TAP) - Le convoi britannique de solidarité à destination de Ghaza en Palestine via la Libye et l’Egypte, a fait escale jeudi dans la ville de Gabès (sud-est).

Le convoi, composé d’une centaine de véhicules chargés de médicaments, denrées alimentaires, couvertures et équipements médicaux a été chaleureusement accueilli par la population locale qui a exprimé sa solidarité avec les habitants de Ghaza.

Douze tonnes de denrées alimentaires ont été remis au convoi, à Gabès, en signe de solidarité avec le peuple palestinien frère.

Les bénévoles membres du convoi ont été accueillis à leur arrivée par le gouverneur de la région.

Convoi britannique de solidarité avec Ghaza L’escale du convoi a été l’occasion de mettre en exergue le soutien constant du Président de la République à la cause palestinienne et les mesures qu’il avait prises en solidarité avec les habitants de Ghaza au cours de la dernière agression israélienne.

Les bénévoles du convoi se sont félicités de l’accueil qui leur a été réservé depuis leur entrée en territoire tunisien, soulignant que l’objectif de ce convoi humanitaire est d’aider les habitants de Ghaza à surmonter la situation difficile à la suite de l’agression israélienne qui avait fait plusieurs centaines de victimes notamment des femmes et des enfants et détruit l’infrastructure locale.

j'ai entendu parler que les autorités tunisiennes les ont dérangés.. ils ont même escortés deux véhicules vers la Libye... est ce vraie??

Chems Eddine a écrit:

j'ai entendu parler que les autorités tunisiennes les ont dérangés.. ils ont même escortés deux véhicules vers la Libye... est ce vraie??

Malgré un accueil "Officiel" VIVA PALESTINA maltraité en Tunisie

Publié le 27-02-2009 par EURO PALESTINE http://www.europalestine.com/spip.php?article3862

Le parcours de la caravane VIVA PALESTINA a été détourné par les autorités tunisiennes de manière à empêcher la population d’exprimer sa solidarité avec la Palestine.
Il ne faudrait quand même pas que la population prenne goût à ce genre d’initiative ou pire encore qu’elle s’habitue à être plus de deux dans la rue à manifester autre chose que l’allégeance au régime en place.

VIVA PALESTINA devait initialement traverser la frontière algérienne et passer par Tunis, Sfax et Gabes en suivant la côte avant de rejoindre la fontière libyenne au niveau de Ras Jdayr.

Mercredi midi, la caravane a été officiellement accueillie par le gouverneur de Jandouba au point de passage de Malloula dans le gouvernorat de Tabarka (nord-ouest) dans la zone frontalière entre l’Algérie et la Tunisie. Ensuite la caravane a été contrainte d’emprunter un parcours plus long que prévu, et passer par l’intérieur du pays, traversant les gouvernorats de Kasserine et Gafsa, régions les moins peuplés sur des routes en très mauvais état (ce qui n’est pas le cas du parcours côtier initial).

Les autorités ont imposé le nombre de personnes représentant l’UGTT (Union Générale des Travailleurs Tunisiens) ayant le droit d’accueillir la caravane à ..... 10 personnes, les syndicats d’avocats, de journalistes, la LDH et le PDP (parti progressiste) ont été mis quant à eux carrément à l’écart.
Les membres "du parti" ont eux accueilli la caravane aux cris de "Ben Ali 2009" et "Vive Ben ALi".

La caravane s’est arrêtée pour passer la nuit à l’extérieur de la petite ville de"El Kettar" de 14.000 habitants située à 18 kilomètres au sud-est de Gafsa.

La dernière étape tunisienne a été Gabès, arrivée du convoi à 10h. La police a mis en place un cordon de sécurité autour des deux hôtels ’El-shams’ et ’El-waha’ de la ville de Gabès à 300m à la ronde : aucun contact avec la population n’a été possible.

En quittant Gabès (bien escortée... hospitalité tunisienne oblige), la caravane, a eu pour consigne de ne s’arrêter dans aucune autre ville ou village tunisien jusqu’à la frontière libyenne.

Tout au long du parcours tunisien, la population a été maintenue à l’écart par un déploiement policier impressionnant ....

Eh ben dis-donc!!!! voilà comment on soutient la Palestine, avec des tonnes d'aide, mais de loin.....
GOOD REST AND LATE START

The convoy set off mid-morning towards the Libyan border. They are escorted by the police who are dictating the pace which is slowing them down.
They have just stopped in Medanine for friday prayers. I am told that they will most likely spend the night at the borders before entering Libya tomorrow.
Farid Arada and others
__________________________________________________________________________________

BEN-GUERDANE SHOWS GAZA IS NOT ALONE
The whole population of the border town of Ben-Guerdane came out to welcome and cheer our drivers and passengers as soon as they entered their city.
As I am writing these lines, chants, palestinian flags and slogans are being displayed around the convoy heros. The police are having a job on their hands trying to contain the jubilation and excitement of the crowds and are even thinking of moving the convoy to the border crossing point of Ras Ajdir about 30km away (18 miles).
Accomodation in Hotels and food was prepared for the convoy by various Tunisian organisations who are insisting on the convoy's overnight stay in their city prior to crossing into Libya tomorrow morning.
Talat Ali tells me that the convoy is crawling through the city.RabahAbdulramuz confirmed few minutes ago that the Tunisian authorities decided to move the convoy away from the city to the crossing point of Ras Ajdir.
The convoy is now close to the border.It looks like a night in the vans after the comfy beds of Gabes.

Farid Arada

Ils vont rester en Libye pour quelques jours encore avant d'entamer la dernière étape (la plus difficile) en Egypte, en espérant qu'ils passeront inchallah la frontière de Rafah...

Viva Palestina Email Alert
16.00 (GMT) Saturday 28th February 2009

Libya prepares a warm welcome for convoy heroes

After a smooth crossing of the borders into Libya, the convoy was overwhelmed by the large number of people waiting to greet and welcome them.

Trade union officials, Palestinian representatives, thousands of ordinary Libyans showed up and waited from the early hours to see their heroes.

According to the Libyan press, the Libyan Government has prepared a program full of activities for the convoy throughout its journey across the country lasting 5 days (see below).

I am told by Rabah, that people are out on the streets of every city they pass showing their love, affection and appreciation of this mammoth task.

As I am writing, the convoy was just arriving in the city of Az Zawiyah about 40 km west of Tripoli. I can hear the brass band of the scouts playing a welcoming tune.

A huge tent has been set up which is a traditional Libyan welcome for VIP guests. The convoy will have lunch and then settle down after yet another tiring journey.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

5 days of hospitality in Libya

According to the newspaper Libya Elyoum, the program for the Gaza convoy is as follows:

Saturday29-02-09
Welcome and reception at border point of Ras Ajdir
Head for the Scout' training centre in Joddaim.

Sunday 01-03-09
Leave for public rally in centre of Tripoli
Here a local convoy will be joining ours.
Press conference
Short stop at Khoms
Rally at Masrata and the inauguration of GAZA STREET.

Monday 02-03-09
Leave Masrata in the morning
Pass through Surt and Guardabia
Stop at Ras Lanouf for the night

Tuesday 03-03-09
Leave then stop at Akila
Rest at Barika for lunch
Public rally at Ajdabia next to Sport City
Arrival at Bengazi-Accomodation at the Touristic Village

Wednesday 04-03-09
Press conference
Local convoy joins ours
Rally and rest at the city of Marj
Rally at Al Bayda city and stop for the night

Thursday 05-03-09
Head for the town of Derna via Shahat Soussa
Pulic rally at Derna
Leave for the city of Tobruk
Public rally at Tobruk and overnight stay

Friday 06-03-09
Leave for the area of Amsaada
Ceremony and departure of convoy

Prepared and translated by Farid Arada

We will post pictures on the website as soon as we have them.

http://www.vivapalestina.org

Un regard et une lecture du blog de Mustafa, un membre du convoi "Viva Palestina", intéressant...

UK to Gaza Aid Convoy
Day 9-10 Ageria to Tunisia
25th Feb 2009

Day 9-10 The Algerian police escorted the convoy (on the longest drive yet – 20 hours) to a small town called Tapaza (famous for its Roman remains). Few of the convoy travellers complained to the organisers about the long and exhausting drive that day, not realising that the Algerian police were the ones in command of every step in Algeria.

No one can doubt the support and solidarity of our brothers and sisters and brothers (including the governments) in North Africa (or in any Arabic countries), however you cant help but think that the governments in these countries are some what fretful of our presence in their countries – and even more concerned that crowds of people are anxiously awaiting our arrival.

No one knows for sure what the Arab governments intended for us, the fact is we have now been through 2 Arabic countries (and now Tunis is the 3rd – where I am writing this blog from) and we’re yet to go into the actual capitals – so far we have been close to main cities but not in the capitals yet!!! And weather it’s because we are running late and the convoy organisers thought to carry on, or the Arab governments didn’t want big noise and crowds in their capitals, you cant help but think it was deliberately planned.

Politics aside – one fact everyone is sure of – Algeria is nicest country so far. Not to take anything away from Morocco or the other countries we have been through, Algeria has the nicest country scenery. I never expected Algeria to have so much greenery and beautiful mountains, even SNOW!!!!

I’d also add that the best reception we had, was by the Algerian people (land of the 1 million shaheed “martyrs” during the resistance against the French occupation), be it crowds on the street, media support, accommodation, food. I was really excited to see one of Algeria’s (and Arabic) famous icons Gamela Bou Herid greeted us in Tapaza. Gamela Bou Herid is well renowned in the recent Arabic history to have fought the French occupation in Algeria.

Having stayed at Tapaza for 2 nights, we headed the 2^nd day to our next destination Annaba through Constantine. On the way to Constantine our car (Honda civic, with me, my mum, and friend Israr), and another car in the group managed to loose everyone else in the group. So we decided to carryon till we get to Annaba. It was only about 20km half way between Constantine and Annaba we found that the convoy organisers had changed plan and is now heading towards Tebessa instead of Annaba. It means missing going to Tunis the Capital of Tunisia but it would save a lot of time.

So after a 5 hour sleep in the car (in the middle of no where – at the outskirts of Annaba) we headed the next morning to Tebessa. ……
http://www.getjealous.com/getjealous.php?go=mus_jadou

cava.. il a fait une bonne promotion pour l'Algérie... mais il a critiqué tout de même la tendance des autres gouvernements arabes (surtout tunisien) de vouloir les isoler...