03
Jerusalem!
Tagged Under : cycle, eviction, gaza
Two nights ago we crossed from Jordan into Israel via the Sheik Hussein Bridge. On our first attempt we arrived too late (8pm) and had to turn back to Irbid, eventually finding a tiny hostel that actually had rooms available. The next morning we stocked up on food and water and prepared for a long day at the crossing. Without boring you with the details of stripping a support vehicle we were permitted to enter Israel after a mere 7 hour wait. Upon reaching the Green Line, and the West Bank we jumped in the van just as the sun was setting, and yee-hawed our way to Jerusalem, exhausted, excited and a little disoriented. The road felt like all the other roads, that was until we tried to turn in towards Jericho in search of food. Our headlights caught sight of the typical rubble barricades that prevent access to and from many Palestinian towns. We kept motoring and made it to Jerusalem. The next day we immediately began planning our entry to Gaza. Its strange, Palestine is so fragmented its hard to know when exactly you have arrived. Pathways to Palestine had arrived in the East Jerusalem, but was really aiming for Gaza. We don’t want to get to comfortable here or declare mission accomplished. We set out to raise awareness about the humanitarian situation in Gaza. People are still living in the rubble from the December invasion, we spoke to Dr Elessi from Waffa hospital, he regularly keeps contact with us and gives us a glimpse of life in Gaza. He told me that the kids from Al Jaazeera sports club want to host us and cycle with us the length of Gaza, a mere 40km. We so desperately want to make that cycle. Eoghan still has a good supply of gluten free food and we also wanted to leave all of this in Gaza. Today we will find out if our application to enter Gaza from Israel or Egypt will succeed. As I write journalists staying in our hostel and heading out to cover the eviction of 52 Palestinians from their houses just around the corner, there is a big international civil society presence here to protest. We have been told that once the family were removed settlers moved in within a matter of hours. Something tells me that PR is not high on the agenda of the authorities here. What hope do the Irish boys in Spandex have of getting in?
well done lads! Met ye this morning outside Damascus gate in Old city Jerusalem. People it was stinking hot at 9 am…how these guys are alive is beyond me…support em all you can
declan
A really superb and fantastic effort – onward to Gaza and victory. Let’s hope your humanity and compassion spreads across the world the Palestinians need it now more than ever….
Congrats - thrilled you’re just about there. I’m sure you have a great story to tell on your return. Good job as the Yanks say!!!
Gerry
Congratulations lads a wonderful effort on behalf of an opressed people.
If you get a chance try to visit Bil’in villafe next friday and discover how peaceful demonstration is addresed by the IDF.
Bil’in has been a cause of great annoyance to Israel and is currently being harassed nightly as a result of a legal case brought by the villagers in Canada.
Eyad Bornet will welcome you with open arms.
I’m afraid I can’t vouch for the road surface though.
Good luck.
Paul Kelly
Carrick on Suir
Gearoid,
What you and your friends are doing is awe inspiring.
Pity most of the Western world seems oblivious to the plight of the Palestinians.
Tell me Gearoid, why can you not cross from israel into Gaza? Why do you have to go through Egypt? Why don’t these supposedly nice and helpful israelis not let you cross into Gaza?
Keep up the good work.
Hurrah to the IRISH!
GP
Heroic guys, truly heroic!
Lots of support from this end - Pauline McNeil MSP and Sandra White MSP both send their regards and admiration for your efforts.
Following specific message from Pauline McNeil - ” 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. It would be a morale boost for Palestinians to meet these wonderful Irish cyclists who began in Glasgow - we are all supporting them and I will do all I can to support their entry in to Gaza”
I am one Johnnys mates from Australia…
Hi Johnny,
Well done to the lads so far…amazing effort…there has been reasonable media interest in the evictions in Australia, if only there was someone with a good set of political balls to do something about it, good luck in times ahead…
Cheers,
Caine
Congratulations to the lads on the completion of their long journey. Look forward to meeting you all on your return to Ireland. Its a pity at this stage that from what I hear you haven’t got into Gaza. It proves once again that Israel has something to hide. What is the security threat of four cyclists from Ireland.
Don’t forget people, this initiative is to raise funds, don’t forget to donate.
Hopefully you all enjoyed yourselves. Beir bua
Aengus
hi to all the team,
we are so proud of you all, stay safe for the next few days and we look forward to having you all home,
tell eoghan that there will be a shepards pie here for him when he gets back
slan go foil
mum dad grainne and all in the cork road. xxxx