5 September 2011
As the historic “Arab Spring” surge for democracy sweeps across northern Africa and the Middle East, the time has come for a renewed international push to finally break the cruel & illegal Israeli siege of Gaza.
The Egyptian people have overthrown the military dictator Mubarak and are demanding that the Rafah border gates with Gaza be permanently opened to allow for the free flow of people and goods.
In tune with this epic era, the Viva Palestina 6 international aid convoy to Gaza, due to depart London in early December, is set to become a major factor in breaking the siege for all time. The permanent opening of the border will be the greatest form of aid for the besieged 1.5 million Palestinian people of Gaza.
All of Viva Palestina’s previous land convoys have successfully entered Gaza. As well as bringing millions of dollars of desperately needed medical and humanitarian aid, VP has been told by people in Gaza and by supporters of the Palestinians in Egypt that they have helped play a role in highlighting the unjust policy of the now ousted Mubarak regime in maintaining the siege.
The democratic revolution in Egypt opens the prospect of ending that siege for good. The convoy will be working in partnership with humanitarian organisations in Egypt to help bring that about before another year of unnecessary suffering is inflicted on the Gazans subsisting in what British prime minister David Cameron described as the world’s largest open air “prison camp”.
Kiwi Team invited to join historic mission
Kia Ora Gaza has been invited to send a New Zealand contingent to join this historic international mission. A 6-person Kia Ora Gaza team took part in the Viva Palestina 5 aid convoy, which broke through the siege in October last year, so we have a proven track record.
Our target: $70,000
Kia Ora Gaza is launching a nationwide fund-raising appeal to send another team of 6 Kiwis to join this siege-busting convoy from London.
Our target is $70,000 which will cover flight costs and purchase of NZ convoy vehicles and humanitarian aid.
We have less than 3 months to do so. Our success depends on the generosity of spirit of humanitarians like yourself.
Kia Ora Gaza is a charitable trust whose entire funds go to the sole benefit of the people of Gaza. All helpers are unpaid volunteers. All our accounts are subject to audit by a professional auditor (donating his services free) who is independent of our Board of Trustees.
Please send your donation by direct credit to our bank account: Kia Ora Gaza, 03-0211-044718-000, Westpac Bank, Onehunga Branch.
(Then email office@kiaoragaza.net with your deposit details so our Board of Trustees can send you an e-receipt.)
Or write a cheque for “Kia Ora Gaza” and post it to Kia Ora Gaza, PO Box 59007, Auckland.
Volunteer applications
Kia Ora Gaza invites New Zealanders to apply to be part of our 6-person Kiwi Team to Gaza. Application emails, containing your contact details, skill levels and personal history, should be sent to office@kiaoragaza.net by Monday 19 September.
Applications are open to New Zealanders from a wide range of backgrounds. You will need a current international car licence, hold a New Zealand passport and have no criminal history. You will be:
- a co-operative “team player”,
- passionate for peace and justice in Palestine,
- reasonably fit & healthy,
- over 23 years old,
- prepared to share your convoy experiences at public meetings & in media interviews,
- able to cope with difficulties & challenges,
- able to cover your personal expenses (estimated to be NZ$3,000).
Forward this notice to all your friends and ask them to do likewise.
If you have a blog, facebook page or Twitter – make the story viral.
Join the Kia Ora Gaza facebook group.
Attend or organise support meetings or fund-raising events.
Ask your church, mosque, marae, union or community group to offer a donation & message of support.
Visit our website kiaoragaza.net for regular updates.
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