Canadians Going to Gaza: May 22 – May 28, 2009 In March, a 60-person CODEPINK delegation traveled to Gaza to pay tribute on International Women’s Day to the sorely neglected mothers, daughters, sisters and wives who are struggling to hold their families together. They witnessed the terrible destruction from the 22-day Israeli invasion; met with inspiring human rights, health and women’s organizations; and delivered 1,000 gift baskets to women who told stories of profound personal loss. The people of Gaza greeted them with love and appreciation, and asked them to return with more delegations. CODEPINK listened, there has been a Canadian delegation established.
We will travel, via Egypt, at the invitation of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and our focus will be on the lack of medicinal supplies reaching Gaza. The sporadic opening and closing of the Egyptian border has disallowed international aid from reaching those who are in desperate need. Of course, there is always the possibility that the Egyptian government won’t let the delegations cross the border—in fact, many individuals and delegations have been denied entry. In that case, we plan to set up an encampment near the border to call attention to the need to open the borders and end the siege of Gaza.
Please see more details below.
Delegation from May 22-May 28 Itinerary:
Meet in Cairo, Egypt, on May 21
Travel to Gaza on May 22
Meetings and programs in Gaza May 23-May 27
Return to Cairo on June May 28
International delegates return home on May 28/29
Cost: $750 CAD from Cairo, including transportation, lodging in Gaza, translation, program, some meals and contributions to local groups. Not included: hotel in Cairo, visas, border fees.
Program: Meetings humanitarian and development agencies, teachers, students, health workers and political analysts. Visits to areas devastated by Israeli attacks. Bringing medical supplies originating from both Canada and Egypt into Gaza and ensuring their distribution.
Purpose of the trip: Provide support to medical organizations in Gaza; exert pressure on United States, Egyptian and Israeli governments to lift the blockade and promote peace, reconstruction and human rights in the region.
Organizers: The trip is organized by Sandra Ruch and sponsored by Independent Jewish Voices and Codepink Toronto. The Canadian delegation's trip is based on the international callout for support from the U.S.-based peace group CODEPINK.
For further information contact Sandra Ruch at miriamswell@gmail.com
Pulitzer award-winning novelist Alice Walker was part of the Code Pink delegation to Gaza in early March and described the disaster there as a catastrophe and hoped through her visit - CodePink's mission started on International Women's Day - will have some influence over Obama and the indoctrinated mindset of some US citizens.
We will travel, via Egypt, at the invitation of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and our focus will be on the lack of medicinal supplies reaching Gaza. The sporadic opening and closing of the Egyptian border has disallowed international aid from reaching those who are in desperate need. Of course, there is always the possibility that the Egyptian government won’t let the delegations cross the border—in fact, many individuals and delegations have been denied entry. In that case, we plan to set up an encampment near the border to call attention to the need to open the borders and end the siege of Gaza.
Please see more details below.
Delegation from May 22-May 28 Itinerary:
Meet in Cairo, Egypt, on May 21
Travel to Gaza on May 22
Meetings and programs in Gaza May 23-May 27
Return to Cairo on June May 28
International delegates return home on May 28/29
Cost: $750 CAD from Cairo, including transportation, lodging in Gaza, translation, program, some meals and contributions to local groups. Not included: hotel in Cairo, visas, border fees.
Program: Meetings humanitarian and development agencies, teachers, students, health workers and political analysts. Visits to areas devastated by Israeli attacks. Bringing medical supplies originating from both Canada and Egypt into Gaza and ensuring their distribution.
Purpose of the trip: Provide support to medical organizations in Gaza; exert pressure on United States, Egyptian and Israeli governments to lift the blockade and promote peace, reconstruction and human rights in the region.
Organizers: The trip is organized by Sandra Ruch and sponsored by Independent Jewish Voices and Codepink Toronto. The Canadian delegation's trip is based on the international callout for support from the U.S.-based peace group CODEPINK.
For further information contact Sandra Ruch at miriamswell@gmail.com
Pulitzer award-winning novelist Alice Walker was part of the Code Pink delegation to Gaza in early March and described the disaster there as a catastrophe and hoped through her visit - CodePink's mission started on International Women's Day - will have some influence over Obama and the indoctrinated mindset of some US citizens.
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