Galloway Urges Muslims to Help Lift Gaza Blockade

A British lawmaker has called on Muslims and all freedom-seeking people across the world to make efforts to lift blockades on the Gaza Strip and help the oppressed Palestinians.

People in Gaza are in dire need of food, medicine and fuel, the British Member of Parliament George Galloway told state-run Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) on Sunday.

He strongly criticized Western countries and the British government for providing all-out support for Israel and said in the absence of the West support for the Palestinian people, Muslims are duty-bound to help them.

The British government regards itself as the closest ally of Israel while most British people oppose Israel's crimes and have expressed their sympathy with the oppressed Palestinian people, the lawmaker said.

Britain has played a key role in the establishment of Israel and its continuous crimes against the Palestinians, he added.

Galloway's comment came as an international aid convoy the Viva Palestina is scheduled to take humanitarian supplies to the Gaza Strip from London, marking the first year anniversary of Israel's three-week war on the Gazans.

The Viva Palestina convoy of 250 vehicles will deliver medical, humanitarian and educational aid to Palestinians who are suffering a long-running Israeli blockade on their territory since Hamas took control of the region in June 2007.

The convoys will depart from London on Sunday to pass through France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria, Italy, Greece and Turkey.

Galloway, who has founded the Viva Palestina, said the convoy aims to lift blockades on Gaza and to supply part of the needs of the Palestinians who are suffering serious problems.

However, this is a symbolic move to fight seizure of the Gaza Strip, he added.

He noted that Israel could not continue the blockade of Gaza should a long line of humanitarian aids rush to the region.

The humanitarian aid is scheduled to enter Gaza on Dec. 27 after heading through Syria, Jordan and north along the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt.

The trip marks the first-year anniversary of Israel's 22-day invasion of the Gaza Strip during which more than 1400 Palestinians were killed.

Galloway has already delivered two convoys of aid to the Gaza Strip this year.

(Press TV)