Red tape hold-up for Scottish mercy mission

A COUPLE driving a van full of life-saving medicines from Edinburgh to Gaza have become caught up in a diplomatic row and are stranded at the Egyptian border.

Khalil Al Niss and Linda Willis spent ten days driving 1.5 tons of medicines donated by groups across Scotland to the border of the troubled area.

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

The couple have spent the last two days at the border between Egypt and Palestine after officials refused them entry to the territory, claiming they do not have the correct paperwork.

Speaking from the border, Ms Willis said: "Egyptian bureaucracy is amazing. We sat, had tea, filled out forms and were told 'okay, you're ready to go now. Just go over to that office there and fill out one more form'.

"We're completely exhausted. It's just been such a long journey.

"It would be fantastic if we could enter and deliver the medicine and save some lives.

"We spoke with a doctor in one of Gaza's hospitals. He's desperate for the medicine and equipment we're bringing, but I don't think it will be easy."

Supporters of the couple have now bombarded the Egyptian consulate in the UK demanding they be allowed into the country.

In El Arish, where they have spent the last two days, the couple have refused to move, facing down threats to impound their vehicle and insisting they will remain at the border until they are allowed to make their delivery.

The pair's protest is making headlines in Egypt, with pictures of them clutching an Evening News making it into the country's papers.

Ms Willis, 51, who works as a practice nurse at Heriot-Watt University, and Mr Al Niss, 49, a delivery driver from Balerno, are currently stranded just 100 metres from their goal.

They were initially made to wait over 24 hours at the border town of Nuweiba, where Egyptian authorities sent them to six different departments to fill out application forms.

The couple's problems started before they even reached the African country, however, when the van – which bears Palestinian and Scottish flags – was refused entry to Croatia. It meant they had to take an alternative route instead, travelling via Turkey.

Turkish authorities initially also refused them entry, but after much pleading and a search of the van they were allowed to pass through.

By contrast, Syrian authorities provided them with a security escort through the country all the way to the border.

Mick Napier, of the Scottish Palestinian Solidarity Campaign, said: "The van with its cargo of medicine is urgently needed in Gaza. It has travelled across Europe and the Middle East to Egypt's border with Gaza.

"The Israeli siege is causing critical shortages of all medical supplies, needless deaths and immense suffering.

"We would expect Egyptians to help the people of Gaza and not delay this delivery any further."