Charity convoy enters Jordan en route to Gaza

Tue, 22 Dec 2009

Amman - A humanitarian convoy containing 210 trucks laden with basic food items and medical supplies destined for the Gaza Strip arrived in Jordan on Tuesday. The convoy, known as "Viva Palestina," was welcomed by the Secretary General of the Jordanian Hashemite Charity Authority Ahmad Amyan who represented Prime Minister Samir Rifai.

Also welcoming the convoy were scores of Jordanian politicians, activists and unionists, led by Abdullah Obeidat, president of the Professional Associations Council.

The convoy, led by British lawmaker George Galloway, left London on December 3 and is scheduled to enter the Gaza Strip on December 27 to mark the first anniversary of the Israeli attack on the besieged Palestinian territory that left over 1,300 Palestinians dead and about 5,000 injured.

Galloway told reporters at the Jordanian-Syria border that he was accompanied by 450 activists, including 30 Americans, 150 Turks and a number of Europeans.

The convoy would spend two days in Jordan before leaving the Red Sea port of Aqaba for the Gaza Strip, Galloway said, appealing to Egyptian authorities to facilitate the convoy's passage through the Rafah crossing.