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Tue, Sept 07, 2010 | The Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center

The Mariam anchored in the port of Tripoli and the ship's insignia (NBN-TV, September 4, 2010)

The Lifeline 5 Aid Convoy Expected to Set Out from London on September 18, 2010

Reports continue to be received about international efforts to organize aid flotillas and convoys to the Gaza Strip. The update follows:

Lebanon

The Lebanese women’s ship Mariam is still anchored in the port of Tripoli (NBN-TV, September 4, 2010). Yasser Qashlaq, chairman of the Free Palestine Movement, claimed that the flotilla would set sail in September and called on the Pope to ask the Greek authorities to help the ship reach the Gaza Strip (Al-Nishra, September 1, 2010). He also said that his network would operate for the Palestinians’ “right of return” and that it intended to initiate “popular activities” in support of the cause (NTV, September 1, 2010).

Other Initiatives

Britain: The Lifeline 5 aid convoy organized by Viva Palestina, the organization of the pro-Hamas former British MP George Galloway, along with the International Committee to Break the Siege on the Gaza Strip, is expected to set out from London on September 18, 2010. An official spokesman of the convoy, Zaher Birawi, a Hamas activist who found asylum in Britain and who is chairman of the board of directors of the Palestinian Return Centre, claimed that the convoy would consist of dozens of trucks carrying medical and humanitarian assistance. They are expected to pass through “a number of European countries, Syria and Turkey.” He said that in Syria the convoy would be joined by trucks from Gulf states and Jordan and sail from the Syrian port of Latakia to El Arish, and that the assistance would be transported overland through the Rafah crossing (Hamas’ daily Felesteen, September 3, 2010).^[1]

The Arab Countries:

Algeria: An Algerian aid delegation entered the Gaza Strip on September 4 and was received by Ismail Haniya, head of the de facto Hamas administration, and some Hamas ministers. The delegation brought 2,500 tons of food and other assistance, including wheelchairs, diapers and school supplies. It also brought funds for building a hospital (Ma’an News Agency, September 4; Al-Yawm Al-Saba’a, September 2, 2010).

The Algerian delegation welcomed in the Gaza Strip (Hamas' Al-Aqsa TV, September 4, 2010).

Turkey: On August 13 a 45-man Turkish delegation reached the Gaza Strip, among whose members were nine IHH operatives who were injured in the confrontation aboard the Mavi Marmara. The delegation was received by de facto Hamas administration head Ismail Haniya, Hamas ministers and Palestinian Legislative Council members.

Members of the Turkish delegation with Ismail Haniya (YeniSafak.com.tr, August 13, 2010).

Jordan: The Ansar 1 aid convoy, which attempted to reach the Gaza Strip in July and was refused entry by the Egyptian foreign ministry, is still waiting for an answer. Its organizers are pessimistic about its chances (Amman.net, September 5, 2010).

Note:

[1] For further information see the February 24, 2010 article, “Britain as a Focus for Hamas’ Political, Propaganda and Legal Activities in Europe.”