Tyrone to Gaza

[Mickey Linden]

Northern Ireland man detained in Tunisia as Gaza convoy is halted

By Emily Moulton
Friday, 27 February 2009

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A Co Tyrone man who is driving a lorry to Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid as part of the 'Viva Palestina' convoy has been detained in Tunisia.


John Hurson (39), from Dungannon, entered the north African country on Wednesday after travelling from Algeria but was stopped by Tunisian police, along with the rest of the convoy, and herded into a football stadium in the province of Gabes, more than 300kms away from the capital city of Tunis.

Yesterday, the Tunisian authorities said they would allow the convoy to continue on its journey to Gaza. However, last night the convoy remained in the country and all 120 vehicles were being kept under lock and key in the stadium.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph from the stadium in Gabes, Mr Hurson explained he had spent all day trying to get out of the sporting facility but had been repeatedly told they were being kept inside for their "own safety".

"It's just crazy," he said.

"The Tunisian Government are keeping everyone under wraps. They are telling us we are not under arrest but they are not letting us out of the stadium.

"Their excuse is that it's for our safety.

"There is some sort of civil unrest near the border at the moment. They are afraid we might spark some sort of uprising.

"Some people have managed to get away to a hostel to get showered and rest but we are all still stuck in here.

"We have been told that they might take us to a hotel tonight but our vehicles will stay in the stadium.

"It looks as if we won't be able to leave here until Saturday."

Before the convoy was taken to Gabes, Mr Hurson's lorry broke down in the province of Gafsa.

He explained the Tunisian authorities had ordered the convoy to keep moving but because they were stuck on the side of the road he claimed they became a bit hostile.

Once they were able to get moving, the entire convoy met up in Gabes.

According to Press TV, two human rights activists travelling with the convoy were arrested by Tunisian police on Wednesday night.

A reporter, Yvonne Ridley, who is accompanying the convoy, told the news agency the activists were pushed into a van and taken to an undisclosed destination and that their fate remained unknown.

Mr Hurson said many in the convoy were still confused about when they would be able to re-start their trek but acknowledged the Tunisian Government had allowed mechanics into the stadium to help with repairs.

"I just have a wheel bearing that needs to be fixed, which is no problem," he said last night.

"They have let mechanics in to fix things but in terms of the way they have handled this whole situation, it's been a big mistake."

The 'Viva Palestina' convoy was organised by Respect MP George Galloway in response to the humanitarian crisis which is currently affecting thousands of Palestinians following Israel's military assault last month.

More than 100 vehicles, including a fire engine, ambulance and even a boat gathered outside Parliament buildings in London on Valentine's Day and plan to travel more than 5,000 miles through cities such as Bordeaux, Madrid, Tangier, Fez, Ras Jdeir (Libyan border), Tripoli, Cairo and finally ending up at the border crossing of Rafah — sealed by Cairo despite the humanitarian crisis — in Palestine on March 9.



Hope everything gets sorted as soon as possible!

[Zapatista]

f**k me, that's some journey.

[Doogie Browser]

the guy travelling with John has a blog, it can be viewed here:

http://gregtogaza.blogspot.com/

[Norf Tyrone]

Cheers Doogie.

Is it true that Fergal Logan is on his way to Tunis as we speak to campaign for Hurson's release?

[gerry]

things are bad enough in tyrone with riceys extra ban but now the lorry has broke down

Friday, 27 February 2009

Low loader arrives


Just been put on a low loader which is taking us as far as the border. What happens then we don't know. We need a new front wheel hub. There's no Leyland dealers. Maybe we can get the part flown out by my mate?

Posted by greg cullen at 06:49 0 comments

Lorry Trouble!


We're in trouble. Major breakdown. The convoy has left us behind in Gabes. The secret police want us out of her now. The mayor promised us a low loader to Tripoli, in Libya where we can hopefully get her fixed. But we have learnt to not believe a word that anyone says.

[gerry]

[gerry]

[whiskeysteve]

Cant believe I missed this thread!

An inspirational story of charity, I hope John and the rest of the convoy get through unscathed. All the best John!

[red hander]

Let's all just hope those Israeli bastards will let them in

[under the bar]

Let's all just hope those Israeli b**tards will let them in

Yossi Benayoun's friends & family........

[Donagh]

Let's all just hope those Israeli b**tards will let them in

Erm what have the Israelis got to do with anything? How can they stop them? or am I being really stupid?

On the wheel troubles, Gerry, is there anything we can do from here?

[Fear ón Srath Bán]

On the wheel troubles, Gerry, is there anything we can do from here?

Good point, if we knew the hub part numbers (or the particular hub details) perhaps we could get something over there quickly?

[Fear ón Srath Bán]

Nicking hubcaps in Strabane and grabbing your mates by the wedding tackle 

Obviously you're still suffering Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome after some hammering we gave your crowd in the football. Get over it man, there's always next year!

[Double Cross]

On the wheel troubles, Gerry, is there anything we can do from here?

Good point, if we knew the hub part numbers (or the particular hub details) perhaps we could get something over there quickly?

The lorry is a 1996 Daf 45, does anyone know which hub he needs? It will be a hell of a job getting a hub from here to Tunisia/Libya. Maybe Donagh still has a few contacts in Libya  

[Fear ón Srath Bán]

Hardly as i am from Tyrone and we don't get to play Strabane but if we get relegated you never know....

I know you're from Tyrone, it's the antagonism I'm seeking an answer for. And be careful what you (don't) wish for.

My guess is that you're Aghyaran?