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13 April 2012

PRESS RELEASE

NON-PARTICIPATION IN VP6, RIGHT OF RETURN CONVOY TO GAZA

Right until 10 pm 11 April 2012, VPM was busy putting together final touches to our VP6 convoy, counting solar lamps, stickers for kids, crutches and wheel chairs for the disabled, generators for schools, etc.

Unfortunately, events in the Middle East, notably the crisis in Syria have overtaken us. VPM and our partners Aqsa Syarif (AS) had hoped to bypass Syria en-route to Gaza, but VP leaders were unable to secure a sea link from Turkey to Egypt and decided to continue the road convoy through Syria.

VPM & AS felt that this was too risky and the security and safety of our volunteers on the convoy could not be guaranteed. Neither would our Foreign Ministry, who we work very closely with, allow us to undertake this route.

Besides that, the road convoy across Syria would lend credibility to the savage killings of innocent civilians, indiscriminate bombings and disproportionate use of force by the Syrian authorities.

Thus, in consultation with our partners in AS, we have both decided not to participate in VP6, Right of Return Convoy to Gaza.

VPM will honour all your contributions and have started making plans to organise our own convoy to Gaza, targeted for June 2012. Be rest assured that all your donated items will find its way to Gaza. We thank you for your generosity and look forward to your continued support for the rebuilding and rehabilitation of Gaza.

Yours sincerely,

Dato’ Dr Musa Mohd Nordin

Chairman, VPM