Date confirmed for autumn convoy
Following discussions with several of our volunteers and some of our friends in Palestine, we would like to confirm October 4th as the departure date for the next convoy.

We plan to take a different route this time, making the Viva Palestina convoy visible to new countries and also shortening the journey time. Our route is likely to include Greece, and then Turkey, Syria, and Jordan, before hopefully using the Rafah crossing again.

We are looking into a launch event on the Friday or Saturday before departure – there will be more details of this nearer the time.

Regional co-ordinators
An incredible amount of work is going on around the country to support even bigger fundraising efforts than were possible in the short period leading up to the last convoy. We will shortly be publishing a list of regional co-ordinators on the website so that new volunteers and groups can work together with existing networks in preparation for the next convoy.

In particular, we will be holding training sessions before the convoy to help make sure that everybody knows what to expect, and what will be required to get their vehicles through safely.

U.S. Convoy
 
For our friends in the United States we have now set up a separate mailing list which will carry details of the convoy departing on July 4th. While the U.S. website is being set up, you can sign up to this list at the follwoing page of the UK Viva Palestina site. Just click on the link below and then scroll to the bottom of the page for the sign up form.
 
www.vivapalestina.org/USconvoy.htm

National meetings and events
There have been many successful post-convoy meetings, presentations, and other events around the country since the convoy. We are attempting to announce as many of possible by email, through the website, and on Facebook. Please continue to let us know about your meetings so we can announce them on the website. If you don’t already use Facebook, we can recommend it as it has proved a very effective way for convoy members to keep in touch, announce events to each other, and share photographs.

Palestinian passports
Since lots of you are asking! These have not been forgotten and we are still pursuing the best way to get them produced.

Ather’s boat – a Viva Palestina symbol
The boat which was denied passage at the Rafah crossing is now back in the UK and Ather has very kindly put it at our disposal until it can be taken back to Gaza at another opportunity. Ather brought the boat back through Paris and was very pleased at the amount of attention it brought.

So throughout this summer, if you are planning any kind of public event, from a march to a meeting, please get in touch and we will try to arrange for you to have the boat drive through your town, and be present at the function.

Land, sea, and air!
For the next convoy, we have even been offered a light aircraft, to symbolise the breaking of the siege by land, sea, and now air!

And finally
 
Kieran Turner will soon be taking over sending out the Viva Palestina email alerts from Clive Searle. To make sure that your anti-spam software doesn’t block these emails we recommend that you add kieran@vivapalestina.org to your email address book.

Dates for your diary
visit www.vivapalestina.org/events.htm
Sunday 3rd May – 11 a.m.
An eyewitness presentation by sisters who were part of the convoy
Jamea Masjid, Cumberland Street, Blackburn
 
Monday 11th May – 7.00pm
Come and help us celebrate
RETURN OF THE VIVA PALESTINA AID CONVOY
Saffron, Cheetham Hill Road, Manchester
come for 7pm, 7.30pm start
Speakers:
Talat Ali Manchester Convoy leader plus other convoy drivers
Ewa Jasiewicz Free Gaza movement
George Galloway MP
plus exhibition and fundraising auction for Gaza.
Tickets on the door with a donation.
Fundraising auction – all proceeds to Gaza. Ticket donations to Viva Palestina costs and expenses

Saturday 16th May – 12 noon
National demonstration – Remember Gaza – Free Palestine
Assemble at Malet Street, London WC1E 7HY, heading for a rally in Trafalgar Square

Sunday 4th October
Departure of the Viva Palestina October convoy!