Egyptian Government not releasing Vehicles

So last night (Monday the 13th) we were unable to get the Viva Palestina purchased vehicles out of customs, so we decided to get other work done and head back to Cairo to get our Affidavit papers signed at the American Embassy. Coming back to the Grand Pyramids Hotel in Cairo, we felt defeated and our heads were hung low. Announcements of a Viva Palestina meeting at 11:30PM circles around so we quickly check in and drop off our luggage in our rooms and head to the meeting. Filled with over 200 Americans, including George Galloway, Councilman Barren, and Cynthia Mckinney... we all are faced with hard truths concerning our convoy.

First, the vehicles in which we purchased and paid for are not being released by the Egyptian Government. This is a huge strain since the people of Gaza were looking forward to use these vehicles as ambulances and other necessities. George spoke about negociating to get the vehicles returned but that the chances are very slim and would not have to require us going through a legal battle which may take months in order to get them released and maybe will turn into another Convoy.
Second, Egypt has limited the time we could stay in Gaza to 24 hours only.. and say that if we stay longer that we will be stuck in Gaza and wont be released to leave. Again, George spoke of negociating with the Government to allow us more time.

The Spy:
During the meeting a fat egyptian makes his way into the meeting and sits in the back, minding his own business but secretly writing notes as we are unaware. Somebody from the group notices the suspicious man and informs George. George exposes the government official in front of everyone, in which a large group of youth approach him and circle him, he gets up, obviously scared of what will happen next. A youth jumps at the man, grabs his papers in his hands and yanks it out of his hands and rips it in his face as other youths show him the door with a threatening look in their eyes. The spy leaves and the meeting resumes.

Basically, the next steps are to negociate for our vehicles to be returned, and to extend the amount of time that we can stay in Gaza.


Today (Tuesday july 18th), we woke up early and head out to the American Embassy, turned in and paid for our affidavit papers (stripping us of our natural rights), and head back to the hotel. Not knowing what to expect next, whether we will be heading out towards Al Arish in a couple of hours or if we will be staying another night in Cairo... We are just stuck in a position, packed and ready to go, moral still high even though the convoy took a turn for the worst. Our main goal is to get to Gaza, with vehicles and medical supplies, or without the shirts on our back, we will make it and we will show them that we stand by them and will never forget them. We keep them in our prayers constantly and fight for their rights in a country which helped strip them away. We want to bring this dream to the people who live in a constant nightmare. Long live Palestine!