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I promised to write a daily log of my time on the Viva Palestina convoy but my attempts to keep you updated with events have been thwarted ever since we reached North Africa.

There is a very clear agenda by some to keep Gaza out of the news and I am dismayed by the Zionist influence brought to bear in the Maghreb.

First there is the logisitical nightmare of trying to find wifi on the move, or an internet cafe during late night stopovers.

Secondly, internet cafes are few and far between on the open roads and we’ve seen a lot of them since we entered Morocco and Algeria – where both governments seemed keen to keep us out of the main towns and cities.

Finally, all attempts to use the internet were hampered by the less than tolerant Tunisian authorities – but more of them later.

I am now in Libya where our presence is being celebrated in grandstyle by both the authorities and the people, what a refreshing change.

And so I am able to send you this email after driving from the outskirts of Tripoli to the coastal town of Misratah.

Despite being thousands of miles away from home, good news travels fast and so I was delighted to learn Interpal, the UK registered charity that provides humanitarian aid to Gaza, has for the 3rd time been cleared by the UK Charity Commission of malicious allegations made by the US and Israeli governments.

Sadly the bank Lloyds TSB continues to act in line with US and Israeli policy by cutting off banking facilities to Interpal.

But, back to the good news, if you check out the Charity Commission report you will discover the following points:-

* Interpal is cleared of any bias in its work and aid delivery
* Interpal is cleared of the accusation of carrying out non-charitable work
* Interpal’s trustees are cleared of any links to terrorist organisations or activities
* Interpal’s charitable partners are free from any allegations made against them by the BBC Panorama programme and the Israeli Government.

More importantly:-

* The Charity Commission rejects all allegations made and evidence brought against Interpal by the BBC Panorama programme and The Israeli Government
* The American administration failed for the second time to provide the Charity Commission with any credible evidence against Interpal
* Interpal is free to continue its charitable work on behalf of needy Palestinians

The news was greeted with joy by those who know of Interpal’s commitment to Gaza and Palestine as a whole and, as a result, convoy drivers added their own support last night.

Irishman John Hurson from Tyrone said he would be donating his huge Daf truck to interpal along with all the contents (and yes, it has been fixed now and as good as new).

Birmingham councillor Mohamed Ishtiaq said he and his crew would do the same with their vehicles.

So, if you want to show your support to the people of Gaza and slap the Zionists in the face at the same time donate your money to Interpal. Go to their website www.interpal.org – go on, do it now.

Editors Note: The Viva Palestina convoy are still taking donations via the website so you now have a choice about who to donate to – or better still donate to both. We hope to be working closely with our long-standing friends at Interpal in the future.

* British journalist Yvonne Ridley and award-winning film-maker Hassan al Banna Ghani are on the Viva Palestina convoy making a documentary about the journey from London to Gaza. Her website is http://www.yvonneridley.org and you can follow her updates by Twitter or20Facebook

Viva Palestina Convoy Update
19.00 (GMT) Monday 2nd March 2009

‘They just would not let us leave without us sharing a banquet lunch with them,’ one of our drivers said about the generous and kind people of Misrata.

In the Amman Family Tourist village by the sea, our convoy enjoyed a well deserved break in a 5* setting of chalets and restaurants.

‘These people are the most beautifull people we have encountered, they came in their droves from all over Misrata to see us and savour the moment,’ another driver said.

It was not until around 4.00pm our time that they set off for RAS LANOUF, their next stop for the night passing through the city of SIRT.

They all seem in high spirits. It is obvious that Libya has provided them with the facilities to recuperate and recharge before pushing on towards Gaza.

George, who is with the convoy, said to Libya Elyoum newspaper, that it is thanks to the Gaddafi Foundation and its head Seyf El-Islam Gaddafi, that this convoy is enjoying a smooth crossing of Libya, and that he was keen to establish a partnership with this foundation to guarantee the success of the convoy. He also said that ‘we say little and achieve much’

George said that theLlibyan contingent of about 100 trucks ‘knows the road to Gaza’ because they are better than any map in the world in helping our drivers get to their ultimate destination safely.

He goes on to add that a number of British and Egyptian personalities are expected to join the convoy in Egypt including members of parliament and film stars.

As I am writing,they are now stopping KHAZZAN ALKARDABIA where a festive ‘gala dinner’ awaits them. They will then set off for Ras Lanouf for their overnight stay.

Prepared and translated by Farid Arada

Viva Palestina Email Alert
Sunday 1st March 2009

EGYPT WILL ALLOW CONVOY INTO GAZA

They came in their thousands in the Green Public square of Tripoli attending a big rally to welcome the Viva Palestina humanitarian Gaza convoy. This is the first of many planned in Libya.

Ambassadors, dignitaries, representatives from the Gadaffi Foundation as well as the children of Palestine spoke of the horrors and the tragedy of Gaza.

Gift bags containing caps, T-Shirts, books were given to members of the convoy as a gesture of thanks and admiration for their efforts to get the aid to the destitute people of Gaza.

It was announced at the rally, to the cheers of all the people and to the relief of our convoy members, that Egypt has agreed to let the convoy through to Gaza. It will be one less matter to worry about and they need now only concentrate on the noble goal they set out to achieve when their vehicles rolled from the UK on the 14th February.

Up to 100 Libyan trucks are joining the convoy starting with the Tripoli contingent today – including ambulances and a fire engine. The Gaddafi International Charity and Development Foundation (GICDF) is sending a considerable quantity of medical aid.

After drinks and sandwiches, they headed for the city of Misrata passing with possibly a stop in Khums.

Farid Arada