Viva Palestina convoy prepares to leave

Viva Palestina convoy prepares to leave Lattakia

Julie Webb-Pullman

Viva Palestina 5 Convoy management team thismorning announced a Sunday morning departure from Lattakia, Syria, and expect the convoy to arrive in Al-Arish some 18 hours later, weather depending.

At this stage it is not known if all of the vehicles and all of the participants will be able to travel on the same vessel, which is already on its way from Cyprus to take on its load. Although the ship has the capacity to carry everything, and meets Al-Arish docking requirements, it is not a passenger vessel, thus is not equipped with sufficient safety equipment, such as lifejackets.

Convoy organisers are currently investigating purchasing the requisite number of life-jackets to enable the entire convoy to travel together, however the carriage of the 400 potential passengers will also require Egyptian consent. A contingency plan would see some convoy members travel to Al-Arish by air, but neither Egytpian authorities nor convoy organisers favour this option.

Meanwhile, convoy participants are packing their gear, cleaning their rooms, and preparing for a tree-planting ceremony at 5pm, when five olive tress representing the five continents will be planted in a gesture of gratitude and solidarity, in the grounds of the refugee camp that has been their home for the past two weeks.

Spirits are high, and a big party is planned for Saturady night, when Viva Palestina founder George Galloway and other important people will join convoy participants to farewll Syria, and welcome the next - and final - stage of their voyage.

ENDS

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