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Below are some links to Press TV reports on the Viva Palestina Convoy.
Just click on the small blue video camera link above the photo to connect:

http://www.presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=114754

http://www.presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=114671

Due to more red tape, we are to spend another night in Damascus.
Shame on Egypt.

Ambulance from Derry on the road from Aqaba to Damascus

Having arrived in Aqaba on December 24th, the "Viva Palestina Convoy" spent 5 days stranded
in the coastal port city waiting to cross into Egypt via ferry. By ferry and by road, we would have reached
the Rafah Border in 5 hours. However, the Egyptian Government insisted we all drive back up to Syria,
and cross from there to Al Arish in Egypt. This detour would take roughly 72 hours.

Yesterday morning, December 29th, we travelled over 500 kms to Damascus, where we stayed
last night. Currently, we are still in Damascus waiting for confirmation on the ferry crossing.
We are to take 3 ferries, 2 for our vehicles, and 1 for the passengers. As there are 500 people and
250 vehicles, chartering 3 boats is taking considerable time. The Turkish Government are co funding
the boats, as they have 65 vehicles on the convoy. In addition, the Malaysian Government are kindly
donating to these costs.

This impass is taking it's toll on the convoy members, as many have to return in the next few days
to return to work. However, the mood is good as everyone is dedicated to bringing their vehicles
and aid to Gaza. No one is surprised at the actions of the Egyptian Government, and we will all continue
to do whatever we can to ensure our vehicles and aid arrives safely in Gaza.

In the meantime, people can put pressure on the Egyptian Government by calling, e mailing,
and writting letters asking for them to allow our safe passage. Plus, please contact your local councillors,
M.P.'s, and MEP's and ask for their assistance in letting us cross safely.

1 year on from the bombardmentof Gaza by Israel, the region of Gaza have yet to recieve sufficient aid
needed to not only rebuild their homes, but also their fragile lives. Enough is enough, and for the sake of
humanity, the doors to Gaza need to open and let this aid in. The siege on Gaza is so tight, that not even
a mouse can get in or out at present.

Please contact the Egyptian Embassies in Dublin or in London via the following numbers or e mail:

The contact details for the Egyptian Embassy in Dublin are: +353 1 6606718 / +353-1-6606566
E mail: consular@embegyptireland.ie

The contact details for the Egyptian Embassy in London are: 0044-20-7499-3304
E mail: eg.emb_london@mfa.gov.eg"

As more news unfolds, I will keep you posted.

John Hurson
Waiting in Damascus......................

Map of our detour

Well folks, the good news to report is that we have come of the hunger strike. This morning, we got news that we would be allowed to cross into Egypt, via Syria.

That meant, we had to drive 500 miles back up to Damascus today, and hopefully we will cross tomorrow.
Instead of a 4 hour journey, we will have a 72 hour trip.

The behaviour of the Egyptians has been totally disgracefull, and un called for.
They should hang their heads in shame for their treatment of the Palestinians in Gaza.

In todays world, to deny humanitarian aid to those who need it boggles the mind.
We have no gaurantee on paper, and things could change at the last minute.

Will keep you posted as it develops.

John

Folks, the time for talking is over, and it's time to take action.
Please pass this press release onto everyone you know, and ask them for their support.

John Hurson

International Hunger Strike Press Release


Sunday December 27th marks the anniversary of the attack on Gaza by Israel, which left over 1,400 people dead, and over 5,000 injured in 22 days.
At 11 35 am, the time of the first attack, a group of humanitarians on the "Viva Palestina Convoy" will embark on an International Hunger Strike in the main square in Aqaba, Jordan.

The International Hunger Strike will aim to highlight the ongoing illegal siege imposed on Gaza, and to remember the victims of the attacks who died during the 22 day bombardment by Israel.

This International Hunger Strike will also highlight the refusal by Egypt, under Israeli pressure, to allow the humanitarian aid to reach the people in Gaza.
The convoy has been stranded in the city for 3 days now, having been refused permission to enter Egypt on their way to Gaza. There are 500 people from no less than 20 different countries in 250 vehicles loaded with charitable humanitarian aid. The convoy is been led by leading international politician George Galloway, having left London on December 6th.

Embarking on the International Hunger Strike are 15 people from different continents across the world. Among those taking part are Fatima Mohammidi from the United States, John Hurson and Caoimhe Butterly from Ireland, Ahasan Shamruk from Palestine, Nidal Hajaj, Hanan Chehata and Mohammed Shakiel from England, plus Kamal Mashni from Australia among others.

Each day, 15 more people from the convoy will join in the International Hunger Strike, and they will go without food until the convoy is allowed to enter safely into Egypt, and through the Rafah border to Gaza.

Speaking from Aqaba, Ahasan Shamruk, said, "I am joining this Hunger Strike to draw attention to the fact that the siege is a form of collective, sustained, and devastating punishment of 1.5 million civilian people. As we commemorate the first year anniversary of the massacres, it is important to remember, that for my brothers and sisters living under siege in Gaza, the war has not ended."

John Hurson, from Tyrone, who travelled on the first "Viva Palestinan Convoy", decided to join the International Hunger Strike to draw attention to the fact that nothing has changed in the past year following the attacks.

John said, "from my time spent in Gaza, to think that in the year 2009, people  are denied all the basic essentials in life, like water, electricity, medicine, blankets, books, and even footballs for the children, is just unbelievable and unacceptable.

"For Egypt to prevent this compassionate and charitable aid, donated by ordinary caring people from all over the world, unnnecessarily adds to the hardships currently endured on a daily basis, by the besieged and distressed people in Gaza.

I am hopeful that the leaders of the West will exert their influence, put pressure on Egypt, the United States, and Israel to end this inhuman blockade forced upon Gaza, and allow for the safe passage of this essential humanitarian aid. Enough is enough, this has to end now, for the sake of humanity."

Santa in Aqaba on Christmas Day, after been denied entry to deliver presents to children in Gaza



George Galloway addresses the convoy members on Christmas Day in Aqaba, Jordan

Well folks, as you awake today from your Christmas hangover, over 500 people from 20 countries, in 250 vehicles loaded with Humanitarian Aid,  are left stranded in Aqaba, Jordan, having been refused permission to enter Egypt.

The Egyptians have placed 3 conditions on the convoy if it wants to enter Egypt.

1. We hand all our vehicles and aid over to UNRA.

2. We drive 500 miles back to Syria, and take a 24 hour ferry through the Suez Canal.

3. We have to ask Israel for permission to cross from Egypt to Gaza.

All 3 conditions have been flatly rejected by everyone on the convoy, as we want to cross into Gaza and hand our aid over to the Palestinians ourselves.

Would you phone Canada to ask permission to enter the US? Would you ask France for permission to go to Germany? For the 1st time, Egypt have now openly admitted that they are under control of Israel/US.

This has been the lead story on Al Jazeera for the past 24 hours, and there are media teams from all over the Arab world here in Aqaba following this story. Needless to say, everyone watching is totally outraged by Egypt's complicity with Israel/US in denying this convoy of aid to reach Gaza.

Yesterday, Christmas Day, I dressed up as Santa to lighten the mood, and everyones sprirts lifted.
Al Jazeera interviewed Santa, who explained that the children in Gaza were the only ones in the whole world who didn't recieve any presents. Santa explained that while flying through the air on his sleigh with the reindeers, he was stopped and refused entry. Santa was upset as this was the only place in the world he could not visit. I will post the clip whenever I get it from Al Jazeera.

Tomorrow marks the 1st anniversary of the start of the 22 day massacre of over 1,400 people. In solidarity, we are all going to embark on a fast. We will all fast for as long as it takes for us to get into Gaza with our aid.
We are calling on people all over the world to fast with us, and with the Palestinians, who fast every day due to the illegal siege imposed upon them by Israel/US/Egypt.

It's time to take a stand and say "Enough Is Enough". This siege has got to stop, for the sake of humanity.

I am calling on ALL the members of the "gaaboard" to call the Egyptian Embassy and demand that we be allowed to enter Gaza, and deliver our aid.

The contact details for the Egyptian Embassy in Dublin are: +353-1-6606718 / +353-1-6606566 / consular@embegyptireland.ie

The contact details for the Egyptian Embassy in London are: 0044-20-7499-3304 / eg.emb_london@mfa.gov.eg"


Pleaase post a short note after contacting them.
Please contact them, and express your outrage at their refusal to allow Humanitarian Aid into Gaza, and to let them know that you will never travel to Egypt again, as long as they are the lap dogs for Israel/US.

John Hurson

Stranded in Aqaba, Jordan

I am now in Aqaba, Jordan with the "Viva Palestina Convoy". Tonight, 2009 years after Joseph and Mary were refused a room at the Inn, over 400 people, from 17 different countries in 250 vehicles loaded with Humanitarian Aid, have been refused entry into Gaza.

In the birth place of Jesus, the Egyptian authorities, under Israeli orders, have denied the starving people of Gaza, food, water, medicine, blankets, electricity, clothes, human rights and dignity.

So, today, when you are tucking into your massive dinner, followed by deserts, and washed down with the finest wines, please spare a thought for the forgotten stricken people of Gaza who have nothing.

Israel and Egypt must be very proud of themselves, for their total disregard of humanity.  The world might have forgotten them, but we havn't. If they do not let us deliver this humanitarian aid, then they must be prepared for the backlash that is comming their way from all over the world.

Stay tuned, and have a Happy Christmas. The people in Gaza will not have the same luxury.

John Hurson, in the Holy Lands.

Ready for the throw in



Armagh reveal Mc Kenna Cup squad

Entering Gaza through the Rafah Border.



Peter Canavan presenting me with a set of Holy Trinity jeresys.





The new Dublin team line out in Gaza.



A Hardstation Antrim select, play a Tony Ferron all star Armagh team. Guess the score....

Sunrise in Libya.


Well folks, following the success of the last "Viva Palestina" convoy of aid to Gaza, another one in making it's way
to Gaza as we speak. It left London 2 weeks ago, and is currently at the Turkey/Syria border.
I will be flying out to Jordan on Tuesday in order to meet up with them, and travel through Jordan and Egypt,
and on December 27th, we hope to cross through the Rafah Border into Gaza.

December 27th marks the 1st anniversary of the attacks, and over 400 people in 250 vehicles will attempt
to mark this date by delivering humanitarian aid to the stricken region. The aid I brought earlier this year remains
the only Irish aid to have reached Gaza this year. Containers from Cork and Galway have been refued entry,
2 seperate boats with Irish aid have been denied. One was rammed, and the other diverted to Israel and all
21 people on board arrested and deported. Politicians, Michael Martin and Proinsias De Rosa have been refused.
Plus, 4 Irish men cycled to Gaza, and yes, you guessed it, they were refused.

This folks is totally unacceptable. People still live in tents and in the ruins of their old homes, aid lies piled
up on the borders of Egypt and Israel. Recently, 200,000 tonnes of food was dumped in the Siani desert.
What we will be carrying is only a sticky plaster in relation to what's really needed, however, our actions will
highlight the current situation, and let the people in Gaza know that they are not forgotten, one year on.

There is an ambulance from Derry with 5 volunteers, and 2 people in one from Cork. From Tyrone, David Callander
is in a truck carrying 10 tonne of aid. On Davids truck, I have GAA goalposts, footballs, dvd's, books, and training
equipment for the 1st Gaza GAA Club that I am establishing. I have Peter Canavan, and Professor Noam Chomsky
as Honouray Presidents. This folks, is some combination, as Noam wouldn't be too well known in Gaelic circles!
Peter has donated a full set of jerseys from his school, Holy Trinity College, Cookstown. We are very lucky indeed
to have his support on this project. Hopefully he will be playing a game there in the not to distant future.
(Que smart ass remarks from the board...........)

So, this Christmas, take a moment and think of the people in Gaza, who are still trying to deal with the incredible loss
they suffered a year ago. Keep them in your thoughts during the anniversary of the attacks, and in small way,
this will let them know that they are not forgotten.

Tyrone To Gaza

John Hurson

Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=541019313#/group.php?gid=238347355199



The "Ireland To Gaza" team in Turkey.

I had just landed in Sydney as part of a Round The World trip.
I was a month into a 6 month trip, and boy did I enjoy it!
Brought in the new century at a massive party on Bondi Beach,
and havn't stopped partying since!!!
What a difference 10 years make eh?

Check this article out:

http://whatreallyhappened.com/WRHARTICLES/fiveisraelis.html

Folks, check out this video from the night when we set a new world record for the "Human Mattress Domino" with 145 people in the Oaks Centre, Dungannon.

It's a good laugh, and over £4,000 raised for "Marie Curie" into the bargin.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0PQIVbAVCo