About Tony from Reading PSC

Tony from Reading PSC is part of the Convoy, travelling with the vehicles from Bristol Gaza Link.

Tuesday January 12, 2010 – Statement from Tony

Well I am home at last, but in a way that I did not expect.

During the afternoon of Sunday January 10, 2010 I gave a written statement to two members of the group that were flying home that evening. This statement was to be sent to my wife who would forward it on for publication on the internet for today, Tuesday January 12, 2010.

The statement was as follows:

I have not as yet taken part in any demonstration, or broken any law on Egyptian soil.

The Egyptian government has imposed collective punishment on members of the Viva Palestina humanity aid convoy. This is against Geneva Conventions.

I have a valid ticket to fly home from Sharm El Sheikh at 17:30 Wednesday January 13, 2010.

I ask only that I be allowed to make a connecting flight from Cairo to Sharm to make this flight home.

Should I not be allowed to do this then I will not purchase another ticket, but will stay until deported.

This will be to highlight Egypt ’s part in imposing collective punishment on the Palestinian people by Israel .

Later on in the evening about 11:00 pm, I was woken from a dose by John Fallon to be told that two tickets had just been purchased for each of us for early the following morning by someone connected with Viva Palestina.

This of course took the wind out of my sails as far as the above statement is concerned.

To have not accepted the flight would have imposed a self-inflicted stay on in Cairo that could not have expected much public support. The principle that I already had a valid ticket from Sharm El Sheikh and would not purchase another from Cairo would not stand.I graciously thank whoever it was from Viva Palestina for getting me home sooner than expected but at the same time feel disappointed that I could not put a principle to the test.

Kind regards to all

Tony.