Kuwait Times

Published Date: October 27, 2009
By Nisreen Zahreddine, Staff writer

KUWAIT: Perhaps only a few have heard about the 'Save Gaza Campaign' which sprang into action immediately after the Israeli offensive in Gaza last year. It helped procure funds to provide essential materials for Gaza residents who remain trapped within the confined areas except for the sea route. "We sailed to Gaza eight times. We managed to get there and deliver our assistance only five times," explained Adam Shapiro, an American activist and one of the board members of Free Gaza movement that manages the
campaign. The Kuwait Times met with Adam and Howaida, a Palestinian American activist who is also a board member of Free Gaza Movement, during their visit to Kuwait.

They explained that the purpose of the visit was to raise funds for Gaza people in order to enable them to provide necessary materials to help survive the siege. Howaida explained, "They need papers to write on and school stationery along with generators. Power outages are common almost all the time there. This is in addition to medicine ,cement and other construction materials that are needed to rebuild their houses.

Even though their motive is humane, volunteers of Free Gaza Movement admit that their mission is dangerous and has undergone many obstacles. Adam spoke about their last visit to Gaza on the last week of June 2009. " The Israeli troops did not let us in and took us in detention for seven days. There were 21 volunteers on the ship. Personally, my American passport helped a little so I did not receive bad treatment," he laughed. With regard to the materials on the ship, the team from the United Nations were a
ware of the fact that they allowed only medicines and toys for children in detention.

The team's previous unsuccessful attempt has made them devise a different strategy to contain Israeli opposition to humanitarian missions in Gaza. "We are thinking about assembling large numbers of MPs, politicians and celebrities all over the world along with media representatives to be with us on the next trip," said Adam. He explained that this way Israeli troops will have to pay a higher price if they do not allow the ship to get in and deliver materials for the helpless people who are under siege. He
added that the next trip is slated for January 2010.

The next trip

When asked about the planned next trip, Howaida and Adam answered that they have managed to gather funds to pay for the cargo boat from donations obtained from Malaysia. Yet, they still have to raise funds to buy passenger's boat (that costs around 150,000 euros). This time, they are focusing on obtaining papers to write, especially medical equipment and generators in addition to reconstruction materials.

The trip to Kuwait

Kuwait was the last destination on Howaida and Adam's trip to the Middle East. This trip includes Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Qatar, UAE. They managed to reach Kuwait after receiving a personal invitation from a Palestinian businessperson living in Kuwait named Tayeb Dejjani. They made two presentations on the project 'Save Gaza campaign'- one at his house and the other in another Palestinian's house. Adam also explained that he met with Kuwaitis at the Jerusalem committee and International Islamic Charitable
Organization. Their aim is to meet with both Kuwaitis and Palestinians in Kuwait, and explain the mission and purpose of the campaign. This will help discuss the possibility of raising funds to support people in Gaza. He hoped to receive funds, especially when the organization expects to receive funds from UAE which is a result of more than five visits. He concluded by saying that he will have to pay another visit to Kuwait in order take more concrete steps.

The Kuwaiti attitude?

As a sensitive subject for most Kuwaitis, ever since the PLO pledged its support to Saddam Hussein's regime back in 1990, it is questionable whether Kuwaitis are ready for a sacrifice. Howaida and Adam are aware of these misgivings. This is why it is important for them to explain that they are an independent organization, do not have political affiliations and yet are not in support of any Palestinian faction (Hamas and Fateh movements).

When asked about the situation in Gaza, Howaida sighs, " It is completely drastic. People do not have papers to write on or to teach their students. Hospitals are in shortage of medical equipment, people die before reaching hospitals, 60 percentage of children suffer from malnutrition and 30 percentage of mothers experience similar conditions. Electricity is provided only for a few hours every day. The internet and means of communication arenon-functional. They are undergoing a slow death process," she sai
d.

Adam confirmed that he would return to Kuwait discuss funding issues more thoroughly. This is especially after the International Islamic Charitable Organization was impressed with the presentation he made.
About Free Gaza Movement:

Independent NGO, was first established in Cyprus in 2008 with its headquarters based in Cyprus.

* It includes volunteers from different parts of the world Europe, United States, Malaysia, India, Latin America, Africa, and others.

* Some of the volunteers promote the campaign in their homelands yet other sail with the ship.

* The organization has a board of directors of nine volunteers who divide the work among themselves.

* The trip to Middle East has been going on for two months.

* Another trip the organization volunteers will make to Europe this week will include London, Ireland, Sweden, and other European countries.

* Website: www.freegaza.org