Two Dundee activists crossed the English Channel on Sunday night at the start of their over-land aid mission to Gaza, after the failed attempt by sea in May.
Ali El-Awaisi (21) was on the Mavi Marmara, part of the flotilla attempting to run the blockade of Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid, when it was stormed by Israeli troops, who killed nine passengers.
Undeterred by his capture and a stint in an Israeli jail, Ali and friend Waseem Mughal (25) will now enter the country by road.
Speaking to The Courier as they waited to board the Eurostar at Folkstone, Ali said, “I’m going to finish what I started out to do last time.
“We are also going to assess the situation in Gaza and see what the people in Scotland can do to help them ahead of another flotilla setting out next spring.”
Both men intend to be part of the flotilla alongside family and local politicians but Ali was frustrated by the limitations set on what the over-land aid convoy could bring into Gaza.
He said, “Israel tells Egypt what to let in and what not to let in.
“It will take up to two weeks to get to the border and then we are leaving the vehicles there to use as ambulances, vans and other transport and we will get a flight home.”
Ali is a seasoned activist but this trip is Waseem’s first time out of the UK.
He studied the Middle East crisis as part of his degree and is keen to see the conflict first hand.
Waseem said, “It’s been a long journey to Folkstone from Dundee but I’m very pleased I’ve got the opportunity to deliver medical aid to the people who really need it.
“It’s not really enough though.
“The Palestinian people, especially those in Gaza, need a whole lot more.”
Ali and Waseem joined 25 other vehicles and were intending to drive five hours to the meeting point in the north of France to link up with other aid vehicles.
From there they will drive across Spain, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya before the Rafah crossing from Egypt to Gaza.
Gaza picture used under Creative Commons licence courtesy of Filckr user gloucester2gaza.