Irish Activists on humanitarian mission to Gaza trapped by Israelis

galway | rights, freedoms and repression | news report

Thursday February 07, 2008 09:54

by TD - Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign

Gaza : "The world's largest prison that the Israelis have thrown away the key to" (Michael Dugard, UN envoy to the Middle East)

Treasa N1 Cheannabain, from the Galway Palestine Solidarity Campaign on a humanitarian mission to besieged Gaza with daughter, Naisrin, is now trapped there by the Israelis; in that dark valley of suffering that Michael Dugard has called the worlds largest prison, Married to Egyptian, the courtly Dr. Al-Safti, Treasa and daughter availing availing themselves of the window of opportunity provided by demolishment of the Apartheid Wall at the Rafah Crossing by Hamas two weeks ago, entered Gaza with funds for humanitarian purposes, to alleviate the endless suffering deriving from the collective punishment visited on that Golgotha by criminal Israel.

Treasa in center with daughter, Naisrin, behind her pictured at a recent GAAW anti-war/ Gaza solidarity protest in Eyre Square, Galway.

On Radio 1 news this morning, Treasa revealed that whilst the ongoing, unacceptable situation was trying to be resolved though diplomatic means, her mission was'nt knocked out of kilter and she was busy visiting Palestinian hospitals and institutions caring for the humanitarian needs of the Gazans dispensing the funds.

Naisrin and Treasa, similiar to the plight of anti-war activist and strong friend of Palestine, Mary Kelly, in the Israeli siege of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem in 2002, are still trapped there, with the Israelis refusing them egress.

In a text message to Niall Farrell of GAAW, she confirmed that both Naisrin and herself are unharmed and in good spirits.