Galloway to continue heading Gaza-bound aid convoy despite Egyptian ban

Former British MP George Galloway, while commenting on Egypt’s decision to bar him from entering its territory in the company of the Lifeline 5 convoy, said he is making big efforts globally to break the siege on Gaza, stressing he will continue to head the convoy despite Egypt’s decision. Lifeline 5 was organized by the British Viva Palestina foundation in partnership with political and charity organizations from more than 25 countries. The convoy departed from London Saturday, Sept. 18, and is scheduled to pass through a number of European countries before reaching Syria from where it would set sail to the Egyptian port of El-Arish en route to Gaza. The convoy is expected to build up to more than 120 buses of medical and humanitarian supplies in Syria and will carry personalities from Morocco, Mauritania, Libya, Tunisia, and Sudan. The convoy will also include delegations from England and other European states, such as Ireland, France, Sweden, Italy, and Greece, and from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the U.S. other than Malaysia and Indonesia. Egypt’s foreign ministry spokesman announced earlier that the Egyptian government decided to bar Galloway from entering Gaza through Egypt. "I affirm that I will continue to lead the convoy, at the same time, I appeal to the Egyptian government to change its stance and allow me and the convoy to reach Gaza", Galloway said in a statement. Galloway said he has been following Egypt’s instructions from the beginning, and he is ready to provide Egypt all information required to ease the convoy's arrival at the Gaza Strip. For his part, the Lifeline convoy spokesman Zahir al-Beirawi said the Egyptian decision to ban Galloway from setting foot on Egyptian soil has outraged international participants on the convoy, but it will not derail its progress or affect the movement of pro-Palestinians worldwide. Egypt’s decision may have a negative effect on the country’s image on the global level, Beirawi added. The ship arrived Tuesday at the Italian city of Turin and will head out Wednesday to Milan, before heading to Gaza by way of Greece, Turkey, and Syria.