Bristol-Gaza-Link Association launched at packed meeting.Over two hundred people packed into the main hall of the Bristol Council House on Monday evening, 28 September, to launch the Bristol-Gaza-Link Association. The aims and objectives of the Bristol-Gaza-Link Association will be to build humanitarian, cultural, educational and social links. These links will be with similar groups and organisations primarily in Gaza City. However links with Palestinian populations both in the West Bank and the Diaspora are also possible. The Bristol-Gaza-Link Association is supported by all the political parties in Bristol. The event opened with refreshments provided by the City Council. There was the opportunity to browse stalls -- this was the biggest collection of Palestine-related stalls at an event in Bristol so far. They included:-Palestine Solidarity CampaignJews For Justice For PalestiniansZaytoun -- selling Palestinian olivesRadford Mill Organic Farm Shop from Picton Street, Bristol selling Palestinian olive oilEaston Cowboys Community Football TeamDecommissioners Bristol Amnesty GroupIona Community and Christian Peace-Makers TeamChristian AidFriends of SabeelEAPPI - The Ecumenical Accompaniment Program in Palestine and IsraelViva Palestina and Bristol Gaza Link There was also a display of medical equipment, wheel-chairs, Zimmer-frames, commodes, walking sticks and crutches which have been donated to be sent to Gaza. The Red Notes Choir opened proceedings. The meeting was chaired jointly by Anira Khokhar of the Bristol Muslim Cultural Society and Glen Burrows Branch Secretary of the Bristol RMT RMT right mentotransverse (position of the fetus). RMT 1. Registered Massage Therapist 2. Renal mesenchymal tumor Rail Union. There were speeches from:- Cllr John Kiely For the baseball player, see . John Kiely (1927-2004) was an Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Dungarvan and with the Waterford senior inter-county team in the 1940s and 1950s. Lib Dem LIB DEM Liberal Democrat(s) (UK political party) Easton ward. We were all shocked at the brutal way Israel used its superior force against defenceless adj. 1. same as defenseless; as, a defenceless child s>. Adj. 1. defenceless - lacking protection or support; "a defenseless child" defenseless vulnerable - susceptible to attack; "a vulnerable bridge" civilians and even the UN. Here in Bristol people were determined to try and do something practical to assist the people of Gaza and to show our solidarity with their plight. I am therefore delighted to be associated with the efforts of this group who have worked tirelessly to create a link with the Palestinian people For other uses of "Palestinian", see Definitions of Palestine and Palestinian. Palestinian people (Arabic: الشعب الفلسطيني, , I wish it every success. Adeela Shafi, the Prospective Parliamentary Candidate A prospective parliamentary candidate (often abbreviated as PPC) was a role in politics in the United Kingdom. Parliamentary candidates were selected by political parties to fight each individual constituencies in advance of each general election. for the Conservative Party for Bristol East. I welcome the launch of the new Bristol-Gaza-Link association. The people of Gaza have suffered greatly as a result of conflict. I hope the association will be able to offer support to those trying to achieve the two-state solution The two-state solution envisions two separate states in the Western portion of the historic region of Palestine, one Jewish and another Arab to solve the Israel-Palestine conflict. which is the only hope for lasting peace in the region, as well as those working to rebuild Gaza and alleviate human suffering there. I am especially proud of the efforts being made by Bristolians to make specific links with Gaza and would be pleased to offer my support and sentiment to this endeavour." Hasina Khan spoke of her horror watching the news of the attacks on Gaza last winter. She described getting involved in the protests in Bristol and her support for the Viva Palestina convoy. Despite busy work and family commitments, she said she felt it was her duty to join the organising group of Bristol-Gaza-Link. Mohamed Elhaddad described his trip to Gaza last winter with the Viva Palestina convoy. He showed a short film and photographs of his tour of the Gaza Strip Gaza Strip (gäz`ə), (2003 est. pop. 1,330,000) rectangular coastal area, c.140 sq mi (370 sq km), SW Asia, on the Mediterranean Sea adjoining Egypt and Israel, in what was formerly SW Palestine. . He described the devastating dev·as·tate tr.v. dev·as·tat·ed, dev·as·tat·ing, dev·as·tates 1. To lay waste; destroy. 2. To overwhelm; confound; stun: was devastated by the rude remark. damage caused by the three-week bombing and described the desperate living conditions living conditions npl → condiciones fpl de vida living conditions npl → conditions fpl de vie living conditions living there. Sakir Yildirim, who also drove to Gaza last winter, outlined plans for a new convoy which will leave Bristol on Friday 4th December to join the main convoy The convoy as a whole which sails from the convoy assembly port/anchorage to its destination. It may be supplemented by joiners or joiner convoys, and leavers or leaver convoys may break off. in London. The whole convoy aims to arrive in Gaza on the anniversary of the start of the bombing on 27th December. The Bristol group is already collecting medical equipment and is fund-raising for ambulances and trucks for the journey. Ed Hill gave a short summary of the history of Palestine The History of Palestine is the account of events in the geographic area called Palestine, from ancient times to the present. For the history of the use of the term "Palestine", see Boundaries and name of the region of Palestine. including Britain's colonial involvement. He said this country should be setting the lead for peace and justice for Palestine. If this doesn't come from our Government then it up to ordinary citizens to take the lead. Jade McClune read out a moving poem written by Palestinian Mahmoud Darwish Mahmoud Darwish (Arabic: محمود درويش; born 1941 in Al-Birwah, British Mandate of Palestine) is a contemporary Palestinian poet and writer of prose. . Messages of support were read out from:- Cllr Barbara Janke Barbara Janke is a teacher and former Liberal Democrat leader of Bristol City Council in Bristol, England. She has been Councillor for Clifton ward since 1995 and was leader of the Liberal Democrat group between 1997 (taking over from Stephen Williams) and 2007 (replaced by Steve (Lib Dem) Leader of Bristol City Council: "I fully support the Bristol-Gaza link in seeking to raise awareness of and providing humanitarian support for the people of Gaza. I very much welcome the way you are seeking to include people of all faiths, cultures and interests in the project. As I'm sure you are aware improving community cohesion Community cohesion refers to the aspect of togetherness exhibited by members of a community. Characterised by similar cultures, lifestyes, family lineage or relations, neighbourhood or any other bonding factors of human living, togetherness in communities is a very cherished trait is a personal goal for me as leader of the Council and an organisational goal for Bristol City Council. We have been actively involved in a number of programmes to help develop mutual understanding including Salaam sa·laam n. 1. A ceremonious act of deference or obeisance, especially a low bow performed while placing the right palm on the forehead. 2. A respectful ceremonial greeting performed especially in Islamic countries. tr. Shalom Radio Station, the Gaza Question-Time panel, and many other events. I send you my personal best wishes for the launch this evening and look forward to attending a future event."Cllr Helen Holland, leader of the Labour Group on Bristol City Council: Bristol's strength lies in our diversity and the internationalism that this reflects. Friendship and twinning links bring huge benefits to Bristol, and over many years cultural, economic and education links have developed between our city and our partner cities, between organisations here and abroad, and many personal friendships between Bristolians and citizens of other countries. The Labour Group and I have been very supportive of this new association, which builds on the bridges that have been made between Bristol and Gaza, and we wish every success to the association. Bristol and Gaza have much to learn from each other, and with these links comes better understanding. Cllr Richard Eddy Richard Eddy, D.D. (1828-1906) was an American Universalist clergyman, born at Providence, R. I. He was a chaplain of the Sixtieth New York Volunteers during the War Between the States. , Leader of the Conservative Group on Bristol City Council: "Thank you for informing me of this event. I'm afraid that it is impossible for me to attend as I have a prior engagement. I'm delighted that Adeela Shafi is able to be present to represent the Conservative Party." Green Party Cllr Charlie Bolton: "Congratulations to the Bristol-Gaza link for their excellent work on this vital issue. It is great to see them building links between organisations here and in Gaza. I am very happy to offer my support to them, and look forward with interest to them making a real difference." In January 2009, Abdul Malik Abdul Malik is a Uzbek politician based out of Faryab Province in northern Afghanistan. He is currently head of the Afghanistan Liberation Party and was heavily involved the factional fighting that consumed Afghanistan for many years [1]. , then Cllr for Easton, first raised the issue of the attack on Gaza at City Council level. He is now in Pakistan caring for his family but sent this message:-I want to say how proud I feel of the efforts and work you have put into this project. I wish it all the success it deserves and I hope I will be able to contribute when I return. Well done!!! Stephen Williams There are several articles on Wikipedia about people named Stephen Williams:
pl.n. Affairs concerning international relations and national interests in foreign countries. and human rights and have raised many issues with the Foreign Office". Kerry McCarthy Kerry McCarthy (born 26 March 1965, Luton) is a British Labour Party politician who was elected Member of Parliament for Bristol East in the 2005 general election. Kerry has lived in Bristol East since February 2005 when she was selected as a candidate for Bristol East. Labour MP for Bristol East: "I welcome the formation of the Bristol-Gaza-Link which aims to build further links between Bristol and Gaza city and develop a deeper understanding between the two areas, both socially and culturally, whilst also demonstrating the widespread empathy felt by many in Bristol for Gaza's problems. Having spent time in the region (although not in Gaza) a few years ago with CAABU CAABU Council for the Advancement of Arab-British Understanding and as an election observer for the last Palestinian Authority Palestinian Authority (PA) or Palestinian National Authority, interim self-government body responsible for areas of the West Bank and Gaza Strip under Palestinian control. elections, and having visited community groups I have seen the positive impact such projects can bring. I know that Bristol people have already made sterling efforts to show solidarity with, and support for, the Palestinian people, from helping out with the olive harvest, to collecting computers for Palestine, to making films about the scale of the problems there. I am sorry I cannot be with you for the launch of Bristol-Gaza link, as the Labour Party Conference is taking place in Brighton, but I will be following the progress of this association closely and wish it all the best"" Jo Benefield read out the message from the Mayor of GazaIt is my honour and pleasure to address your conference today. This will be a memorable day in the British-Palestinian relationship. It will mark the start of a new era of friendship and solidarity between our people.Gaza is the oldest inhabited city in the world. At the beginning of this year Gaza suffered the most brutal savage attack in more than 42 years. The barbaric Israeli military assault wreaked the lives of thousands of innocent civilian children, women and elderly. Not only was this an assault that destroyed houses, schools, hospitals workplaces, uprooted trees, olives, oranges and palms, polluted our environment and ecosystems. But it also tried to destroy our will, kill our hope, assassinate as·sas·si·nate tr.v. as·sas·si·nat·ed, as·sas·si·nat·ing, as·sas·si·nates 1. To murder (a prominent person) by surprise attack, as for political reasons. 2. our belief and aspiration, and nullify nul·li·fy tr.v. nul·li·fied, nul·li·fy·ing, nul·li·fies 1. To make null; invalidate. 2. To counteract the force or effectiveness of. our mere existence as human beings. IN THIS IT SEVERELY FAILEDSoon after this massacre, the British relief convey arrived. It was welcomed by all, with great appreciation and thanks to all of you, and to every body who helped in this first class humanitarian issue.As the Mayor of Gaza, on behalf of all Palestinians, and on behalf of the Palestinian National Authority Noun 1. Palestinian National Authority - combines the Gaza Strip and the West Bank under a political unit with limited autonomy and a police force; created in 1993 by an agreement between Israel and the PLO Palestine Authority, Palestine National Authority , I would like to express our thanks and deep appreciation to your gathering and conference today. The launch of Gaza-Bristol-Link is very important to us, beyond any materialistic issue, your support and solidarity means to us that we are not left alone, that hope is still there, and that together with all our friends in the free world we shall build a better world, a world with peace and justice and prosperity, a world with a FREE INDEPENDENT PALESTINE .Dr. Maged Abu-Ramadan Mayor of Gaza MD, FRCSEdSenior Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon, President, The Palestinian Ophthalmological SocietyPresident, Association of Palestinian Local Authorities, Director General, MOH See modem on hold. International Cooperation Dept. A large number of people spoke from the audience about their existing links with Palestine. Historically, Bristol has had a large number of connections with Palestine, both Gaza and the West Bank. These have ranged from faith groups to peace campaigners, from medics to footballers to circus-performers. Even Bristol's own graffiti artist Banksy has visited Palestine! Bristol-Gaza-Link aims to build on these foundations and is already encouraging a growing number of groups and organizations to explore links with Gaza. Further people contributed from the audience outlining how they planned to link with Palestine. These included trade unions, professional groups, schools, colleges, university groups of students and staff, hospital groups, medics and paramedical par·a·med·i·cal adj. 1. Of, relating to, or being a person trained to give emergency medical treatment or assist medical professionals. 2. . Teachers drew attention to a new teacher's pack of educational resources for citizenship lessons on Palestine which is now available on the internet. (See www.caabu.org (http://www.caabu.org/))Some specific proposals included:-A message was read from a hospital group who want to donate equipment to Gaza. School pupils are already fund-raising to support football projects in Gaza.A choir workshop in November plans to record songs to be sent to Gaza. A Bristol Community Radio Station is set to be the first in the UK to link up with a radio station in Gaza.It was announced that John Drake John Drake may refer to
Copyright Palestine News Network The Palestine News Network is an Arabic language media network run by Palestinians in the Palestinian Territories (West Bank and Gaza). It cooperates with the International Middle East Media Center which translates many of its reports into English for international, non-Arabic , 2003 - 2009 Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company |
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