[HCCN] Fwd: first hours in Gaza

[Judith Robbins]

Begin forwarded message:

>
> Dear Folks,
> News to many of you who understandably think I am spending August  
> on the deck in Maine: I arrived in Gaza  barely 36 hours ago with  
> intent to stay two weeks. This trip is again at the invitation of   
> the UN with the purpose of addressing needs of children who, as we  
> know amount to 65% of the population in Gaza.  I have brought  
> resources to work at children centers with the goal of introducing  
> staff and children to the therapeutic play routine I used in the  
> West Bank. We will see if it is useful enough to consider an   
> expanded program during summer camps next year when 22,000 children  
> attend the UN camps alone.I had barely begun unpacking when I got a  
> call from the Gaza Mental Health Center to join a staff meeting to  
> be held in two hours.It will hopefully  be a busy time even though  
> we are here during Ramadan, a month focused on fasting,prayer and  
> family.
>
> This trip of four was organized rather quickly when we heard that  
> Egypt's response to the Israeli attack on the Free Gaza flotilla  
> was to provide easier access, especially to those with foreign  
> passports, through their Rafah crossing into Gaza. So again  
> entrance into Gaza took me through chaotic Cairo, across the Suez  
> Canal, over the Sinai desert, through funky seaside el Arish to the  
> Egyptian border where we waited  only about 4 hours. The most  
> amazing sight at the border was a group of 40 Malaysians, including  
> doctors,lawyers,3 Members of Parliament and activists among whom  
> were two who had been on the  attacked Mave Marmara flotilla ship,  
> being escorted by their government's black limousine complete with  
> mounted flags through the border. Likewise,  yesterday I joined a  
> group of Scottish doctors at the Islamic University who were also  
> accompanied by their Member of Parliament. To me, this very visible  
> level of open international governmental support for Palestinian  
> rights boldly reflects the ever increasing and dangerous isolation  
> of the United States.
>
> Eventhough it is very hot,no airconditioning as generating fuel is  
> very limited due to the  Israeli blockade...I am thrilled to be  
> back on Palestinian soil where the kindness and generousity even to  
> US citizens whose taxes make the 3 year blockade and recent  
> invasion possible, is simply unbelievable to those who have not  
> visited either Gaza or the West Bank. For example, my first chore  
> was to get a cellphone ( the cellphone I bought in Egypt wouldn't  
> work hear despite assurances which I  naively accepted)..the store  
> owner walked me to the bank to withdraw money when his machine  
> wouldn't work..due to wear from repeated electrical blackouts,gave  
> me a  gift of a cell phone holder with a heart marked love,and  
> called the next day to see if there was anything he could do for  
> me..I wager I will get an invitation to break the Ramadan fast with  
> his family sometime during the two weeks I will be here.
>
> So, my main goal I outlined above, but I am equally interested in  
> how things have changed in Gaza during the 14 months since I have  
> been here. I am eager to re visit the Samuni family who had at  
> least 20 family members killed during the Israeli invasion. You may  
> remember I asked the head of the family about the one planted field  
> among all the  incredible destruction; he responded " I want to  
> make the field green because then the children will feel safe" . So  
> I look forward to describing conditions and  changes in further  
> emails..as always if you get way too many emails and want me to  
> remove you from this list, please let me know; if you have any  
> special interest or questions please let me know..
> In the meantime please call your Congressperson to oppose HR 1553    
> [H.Res. 1553] ; an Israeli Lobby inspired resolution to grant  
> Israel the right to attack Iran..a transparent ruse to get the US  
> drawn into a conflict which clearly has nothing to do with our  
> national interests especially as Obama has just reaffirmed his  
> interest in talks with Iran.
> take care,
> Ridgely
>

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