Ask Egyptian Embassy to let them through on 020 7499 3304. Or email - eg.emb_london@mfa.gov.eg    Also ask your MP.

05 JAN 2010

The York to Gaza group, part of the Viva Palestina convoy,  arrived yesterday at Al-Arish just hours away from breaking the siege of Gaza.

157 Viva Palestina convoy members' passports were taken away at Al-Arish airport by the Egyptian authorities. The Egyptians also removed the passport's of British MP George Galloway and convoy leader Kevin Ovenden.

All passports were stamped in but also given an exit stamp. The Egyptian authorities wanted the 157 convoy members to drive on to Gaza last night and leave the other 400 Viva Palestina volunteers still to fly in to Al-Arish from an airport in Syria.

The Egyptian authorities announced that the further 400 volunteers would not be allowed in so convoy members began a sit down protest, refusing to move or leave without their convoy comrades.

Later all passports were returned and the exit stamps were removed. A battle won! Convoy members then scouted for hotels for the night to return today to meet the other convoy members before picking up their vehicles and heading for the final destination: Gaza!

The Viva Palestina Convoy calls on all people of goodwill to make protests to Egyptian embassies to let the convoy though.

Adapted from York to Gaza blog.

The best source for information is Twitter.  See -

  Twitter: garethn/viva-palestina -  which can be seen here even if you are not a Twitter member. Also  see - 

  Twitter: viva_palestina 

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