Mercy mission pair hope appeal by MP will end five-day Gaza hold-up

Published on Saturday 26 July 2008 11:25

A COUPLE driving a van packed with life-saving medicines from Edinburgh to Gaza hope they will finally be allowed entry in the next 24 hours after an appeal from their MP.

Khalil Al Niss and Linda Willis, from Balerno, have been stuck at the Egyptian controlled border into Gaza for the last five days as they await entry permission.

They spent ten days driving 1.5 tons of medicines donated by groups across Scotland to the border of the troubled area.

After a personal plea by Edinburgh South MP Nigel Griffiths to the Egyptian Embassy in London, the pair were this morning hoping they would finally be allowed to complete their mercy mission later today.

The medical supplies are desperately needed in Gaza, where residents are suffering from a severe lack of vital drugs, including medication for heart conditions and diabetes, as well as syringes, bandages, swabs, and antibiotics.

Despite this, Ms Willis, 51, who works as a practice nurse, and Mr Al Niss, 49, a delivery driver, have been forced to wait just 100 metres from their destination as they seek clearance to enter.

Mr Griffiths said he had been given an encouraging response from the embassy, and was hopeful the couple would finally be allowed to pass.

He said: "I was very concerned to hear about this problem, and I told the embassy that my experience with Scottish aid workers through the Kosovo appeal had shown that they were among the best, and most reliable, in the world.

"I assured them that they were only looking to deliver vital medical supplies to the people of Gaza."

Speaking from Egypt, Mr Al Niss insisted he would wait there as long as it took. He said: "We have been doing everything we have been told to do."

"Every day we have gone back to the checkpoint and been told to speak to a different official, or fill out another form. They have searched the van repeatedly, and we have now been told we need permission from the Egyptian secret service, which is just crazy.

"We must complete our delivery, and I will wait here as long as it takes. We have come so far, and these supplies will help save lives, so I will not leave until I can complete the delivery."

He said people leaving Gaza had told them the situation with medical supplies was getting dire.

Independent Lothians MSP Margo MacDonald, who supported the couple in their mission, said she had asked Mr Griffiths to intervene on their behalf, and hoped they would finally be allowed to finish their journey.

She added: "What has happened is not entirely unexpected. It is such a troubled area, but I feel very sad for this couple, as they are simply trying to do a good, humanitarian thing by taking these supplies across.

"I hope the Egyptians agree to let them enter Gaza."