WILPF delegation to Gaza

This is an email sent to me from a WILPF member that was with us on the last delagation to Gaza calling for an international WILPF delagation to the Gaza boarder at the same time as the next CodePink trip. Let me know if you are interested.

Date: April 4, 2009 11:47:44 AM PDT


Please share widely.

Dear all,

The plan for the next Gaza action organized under Code Pink Women for Peace leadership, is that there will be several smaller delegations converging at Rafah.

Dates: May 28 - June 3. All delegations will meet in Cairo May 27 - latest May 28 and be ready to depart early for Rafah on May 29.

Return to Cairo June 4.

There is also a delegation being organized to enter at the Israel/Gaza entry point but plans are not as far along.

There is no guarantee that any or all delegations will be allowed into Gaza. So delegations are preparing to camp at the site (sleeping bags, tents, etc).

CodePink is organizing the Gaza portion of the trip WITH input from all the delegations and with the assistances of UNRWA.

We could have a WILPF delegation with members from several countries perhaps organized in the US -

OR, we can encourage WILPF members to join other delegations already being put together, now organizing, and have purchased tickets and made reservations at the necessary hotels in Cairo and El Arish or possibly Gaza if home stays are not preferred (Delegations aredy under way: CodePink returnees, student delegation, Canada delegation, New York, etc).

I think it is important to act quickly so that plans can get on the way for a WILPF delegation with members from several countries. A delegation size of 8 - 15 would be ideal. All would have to realize that the trip is not easy or comfortable, is costly, and that there is no guarantee of entry into Gaza. However, this is a very important political action.

We could also consider two WILPF delegations: one entering from the Israeli entrance, the other from Rafah.

Naturally, we will want to be engaged with our members in Gaza and Israel.

WILPF delegates who cannot fund themselves will have to fund-raise.

I WANT TO POST THIS TO THE INTERNATIONAL OFFICERS, US SECTION BOARD AND WILPF NEWS.

IF WILPF M.E. COMMITTEES AND THE INTERNATIONAL BOARD OR US BOARD DO NOT RESPOND, MEMBERS WILL JOIN OTHER MINI-DELEGATIONS ANYWAY BECAUSE THE LEVEL OF INTEREST IS VERY HIGH. SO SOME WILL BE WITH STUDENTS, SOME IN CANADA, SOME IN NY, ETC. THAT MAY BE ANOTHER PLAN.

Regina Birchem