Cllr McShane is Gaza-bound

A journey of some 4000 miles will be made twice as difficult as the duo plan to sleep in the small cab of their vehicle to cut down on costs.

They will hand over the vehicle and the supplies to a humanitarian aid organisation when they arrive in Gaza and will engage in some aid work plus several days of fact-finding before flying home from Cairo.

Cllr Mc Shane and John Quinn, have set up a small committee, 'Antrim to Gaza', "dedicated to ensuring County Antrim has an opportunity to respond to the plight of the civilian population of Gaza."

Cllr McShane said: "Antrim to Gaza have set an ambitious target to have a van full of Medical Aid leave Ireland and join a convoy of some 500 vehicles from across the world. The convoy will also be attempting to highlight the barbarous nature of the blockade, on the civilian population of Gaza.

"We have six weeks until we leave and already we have had a very positive response. Among the general public there is willingness and a desire to become involved both by donating and offering help. The people of Gaza and their adversity are high on the conscience of the Irish people.

"Antrim to Gaza group is open to anyone and I would ask those wishing to play their part or donate, to get in contact with us as soon as possible."

John Quinn, the Treasurer of 'Antrim to Gaza' said: "The Viva Palestina group, the organisers behind the world-wide convoy, are attempting to bring enough materials to build a school, orphanage, community centre and a maternity unit. It is also hoped that up to 50 ships could try to smash the blockade of Gaza by sea.

"Anyone willing to help will be made more than welcome in Antrim to Gaza. Just phone 07828112129 or email; [email protected]

Padraig McShane added: "The terrible massacre aboard the Mavi Marmara on 31 May has brought a sea change in international opinion against the inhumane siege on the people of Gaza.

"Far from deterring people from seeking to end that siege, the Israeli assault on the Freedom Flotilla is spurring on even more people to bring humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and to end the blockade.

"Viva Palestina has organized three massive land convoys to Gaza in the last 18 months - all of which have delivered their aid. This ongoing humanitarian situation in Gaza prompted a group of individuals to action. They set up a committee and set about fund raising with the aim of driving a van load of medical supplies to Gaza.

"Consequently Antrim to Gaza was born and under the auspices of Viva Palestina, will participate in a 500 plus vehicle convoy through Europe and the Middle East to bring much needed medical supplies and ambulances to Gaza. This committee is currently fundraising throughout Ulster. The committee hope that a vehicle and medical supplies can be provided by donations largely from Ulster's GAA community and as this is direct action, every penny raised goes straight to Gaza.

"We have a limited time span on this project, the convoy is leaving on September 18th. Any donation or offer of help will be gratefully accepted.

"The aims of the project, which will include 500 vehicles along with 50 ships attempting to break the siege, is to build a Hospital Maternity Unit, Orphanage, School and repair A place of worship.

"Antrim to Gaza are a recently formed and Constituted Group attempting to give a voice to local people, on the Humanitarian plight facing the civilian population of Gaza. The group is open to all who share their objectives.

"Viva Palestina was founded by George Galloway with the aim of provision of food, medicine and essential goods and services needed by the civilian population in Gaza; as well as highlighting the causes and results of wars with a view to achieving peace.

"To further these aims Viva Palestina is launching 'Viva Palestina 5 - a global lifeline to Gaza'.

"This is a gigantic land convoy leaving Ireland and London on Saturday, 18th September in conjunction with convoys leaving from Casablanca and Doha and timed to coordinate with a larger international flotilla aiming to reach Gaza by sea at the same time as the land convoys reach Gaza. This is undertaken in partnership with the International Committee to break the Siege on Gaza and organisations from Europe, Turkey, Middle East, Australasia, India, South Africa and more," said Cllr McShane.