KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian non-governmental organizations will join an international sea convoy to Gaza that aims to dismantle Israel's blockade of the disputed land and deliver much needed necessities to people there.
Leading the NGOs will be the Coalition of Graduates of Higher Institutions of Malaysia (Haluan).
They will join other members of the convoy organized by Turkey-based Foundation For Human Rights And Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief (iHH).
Haluan president Dr Abdullah Sudin Abd Rahman said the convoy in May would be the biggest such effort to deliver aid to Gaza.
"With close networking through "Lifeline4Gaza" to support this international effort, Malaysian NGOs can harness their strengths, experience and commitment towards ending the siege on Gaza and assist her people to rebuild their lives.
"As this effort involves delivering aid directly to Gaza using a flotilla of about 20 ships, we hope the remaining money from the Palestine Humanitarian Fund donated by Malaysians, can be channeled for this international humanitarian project."
Abdullah Sudin said Israel had imprisoned and persecuted the people of Gaza with the erection of a 850km "Wall of Death" preventing the entry of daily necessities, imposing an embargo of all supplies into Gaza and launching brutal military attacks.
He said the attempt to break Israel's blockade on Gaza in December last year championed by Europe based Viva Palestine attracted over 320 volunteers. "The efforts by this convoy, however, failed to lift the embargo against the people of Gaza."
Abdullah Sudin said the present iHH aid campaign spearheaded by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, besides hauling basic necessities, construction materials for hospitals, medical supplies and food, also hoped to bring along prominent politicians and humanitarian leaders from around the world.
"The aid will be delivered using diplomatic channels of Turkey which has an ongoing security agreement with the Israeli regime since World War One, whereby Israel cannot disrupt (the sailing of) ships from Turkey.
"If successful, the ships used in this convoy can deliver all future humanitarian aid to Gaza, meaning that Israel's embargo against Gaza will be lifted."
Abdullah Sudin said Haluan, which will act as coordinator for all aid from Malaysia and Brunei, appealed for all parties who sympathize with the people of Gaza to give their support by organizing events including prayers, exhibitions, seminars and talks, fund raising and discussions to demonstrate their solidarity.
Donations in aid of Lifeline4Gaza can be made directly via the "Tabung Palestin Haluan" under Maybank account 5644 9020 8528.
Source: New Straits Times.
Link: http://nst.com.my/articles/06ngo/Article/index_html.
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