Irish Cyclists receive no welcome after 6000km cycle to Gaza

international | anti-war / imperialism | press release

Thursday August 06, 2009 21:11

by G. Quinn - Pathways to Palestine

Pathways to Palestine Press Release

Press Release: 6th August 2009

After cycling through 14 countries and two time zones , four Irish cyclists have now completed their journey of 6000km from Ireland to Gaza only to be turned down at the border. The students, attempted to enter Gaza this morning but even their invitation from the UNRWA [United Nations Relief and Works Agency] didn’t help them. Their 6000km cycle aimed to raise money in support of an emergency appeal to provide for neo-natal care and medical resources for burn victims in Gaza. The initiative came from Eoghan Quinn (21), a type-1 diabetic, after he learned of the restrictions on medical supplies reaching Gaza. [1]. “As a diabetic I am completely dependant on constant access to medicine. I wanted to use my fortunate circumstance to help those cut off from the outside world in Gaza.”

Pathways to Palestine Poster

They set off on their journey from Ireland on June 22 and have been cycling over 150km a day, resting only once a week to make it on schedule to their destination,” We have tried our best and we have seen the prison of Gaza in operation. The fact that we didn’t get in speaks volumes“, says Gearóid Ó Cuinn,
"We have overcome hypothermia in France, several falls with some on busy highways and survived being chased by wild hounds in central Turkey, its been tough but epic, and to fall at the last hurdle is disappointing, but its also about creating awareness around this guarded situation”.

The intrepid travelers have received support from around the world, including a formal motion of commendation passed by the Scottish Parliament and a reception in the Irish Parliament hosted by Irish MPs and Senators. Pauline McNeil MSP: - ” This is a tremendous achievement for the cyclists and it will mean so much to Palestinians that they have made such incredible efforts for Palestinians who feel isolated and forgotten about by the world.”

Gaza’s medical infrastructure has been crippled by the two yearlong sieges that has led to widespread malnutrition and many preventable deaths. “When we arrived we were just shell shocked at the state of affairs at Rafah crossing we saw families excluded and isolated from their loved ones on the side of a desert road.” Says Ronan Sheehan (21).

The cyclist were forced to abandon their back up vehicle after the Egyptian authorities refused to allow them to enter with the van. They persevered and reached Gaza after traveling through the Sinai desert throughout the night. Eoghan states that “despite being exhausted and run down the people of Gaza and all of those who have supported us along the way have kept us going and thanks to them we reached the Rafah border crossing.”

"Even though we were unsuccessful gaining access to Gaza we will continue in our efforts to raise money for our charity (MAP) via our website www.pathwaystopalestine.com" said Tom Watts, member of the support team “All monies raised online go directly to their operations on the ground”, he added.

About the Cyclists:
The team consists of Eoghan a town planning student; John Maher (30), medical student; Ronan Sheehan (21), pharmacy student and Gearóid Ó Cuinn (29) law student, all of whom attended the same high school. The support vehicle traveling with the four cyclists will be driven by trainee physiotherapist, John Lyttle (23), from Derry and Tom Watts (21), from Sheffield, who studies psychology. Project coordinator: Grainne Quinn (19) Politics Student.

[1]: http://irishhealth.com/article.html?id=15725

Cyclists in Istanbul, Turkey

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Comments (3 of 3)

Egypt

by li'l lulu

Fri Aug 07, 2009 14:33

Fair play to the intrepid cyclists - an inspiring & very low-carbon journey!
Israel is being boycotted; Egypt needs to hear about it now. We can bear not seeing the Pyramids.

Concerned

by Arthur

Sun Aug 09, 2009 23:02

Great stuff and no mean achievement .
It's a pity the politicans on the world's so called democratic stage couldn't be motivated to do something about the plight of the people of Gaza.
The world saw last weekend, a woman and child forcefully removed from their home to make room for an Israel family and all the wastes of space" western Politicans " with their righteous sense of values could muster, was an expression of "concerned". The world was also able to see human nature, at it's worst, when studious mature Israelis persons of both sexes carrying books, took possession of the evicted person home before she reached the end of the street.
Is this what our forefathers fought 2 world wars for, or was it for a better fairer world and if so why is there a consolidated media attempt to push this appalling injustice under the carpet, as if we wouldnt notice.
I asked a foreign national with no links to the region what she made of the eviction and the persons who immediately took possession of the evicted womans property. The reply was they think other humans are nothing.
The message, therefore that must be conveyed to the "ugly empty political heads" is that the evicted woman and her child are or should be just as important as anybody else.
Finally congratulations to you young people for doing your bit to change things, and dont forget what Margaret Meade said many years ago " A small number of dedicated people can change the world it is the only thing that ever has" You are now part of major part of the small number.
Regards Arthur

An epic journey

by Justin Morahan

Sun Aug 09, 2009 23:38

Well done.

An epic journey such as yours deserves more coverage and follow-up.

Every single rotation of your pedals challenges Israel's murderous arrogance and puts the EU, the UN, the USA, Commonwealth and all other silent witnesses to shame.

Your journey has not been in vain.

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Irish Cyclists receive no welcome after 6000km cycle to Gaza

Comments (3 of 3)