UAE | General
Doctor returns after failing to reach Gaza
Dr Ali Dabbagh is back in town after venturing on several failed attempts to get to the Gaza Strip before and during the start of the Israeli invasion. He is still adamant he will find a way in.
- By Siham Al Najami, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:51 January 15, 2009
Dubai: Dr Ali Dabbagh is back in town after venturing on several failed attempts to get to the Gaza Strip before and during the start of the Israeli invasion. He is still adamant he will find a way in.
Dr Dabbagh, a British-Palestinian and a Dubai resident, was among the passengers who joined the Free Gaza Movement, a mercy boat sailing from Cypriot port with tonnes of medical and food supplies along with lawmakers, journalists, and doctors.
Following their initial attempt on Monday to complete a 24-hour voyage to Gaza, the boat had to turn back when the generator failed after only three hours.
Huwaida Arraf, organiser of the US-based Free Gaza Movement, said just before their second attempt on Wednesday that: "We are determined to get through Gaza to carry our message and mission about the ongoing massacre. Our mission is not only for humanitarian reasons but we are taking a stand in the outrageous situation resulted by Israel."
According to Arraf, the Free Gaza Movement received warnings from Israel to halt their mission, calling the attempt to reach Gaza "provocative and risky."
Dr Dabbagh made his decision to return to Dubai following the initial attempt saying he had made the decision after hearing news that a few doctors were being allowed to enter through Rafah crossing in Egypt. He said he realised Israel's determined stance to halt the mission and said it was not possible to get into Gaza.
Options
"I came back to save time and try to find alternative options to get to Gaza," he told Gulf News upon his arrival in Dubai on Tuesday.
His prediction was correct as activists aboard the ferry said yesterday they were returning after an overnight encounter in international waters in which Israeli ships threatened to open fire.
More from UAE General
More from UAE
Latest news
- Tracks to be laid on recycled material
- Golden Hour crucial to a patient's survival
- Opening show worthy of UAE
- Sun is shining on prospects for solar power
- Artists focus on craftsmanship
- World leaders committed to supporting civilians
- Schools open a new page in teaching English
- Special parking to help disabled tourists
- Helping hand surgeons have long sought
- Blind woman lights up corridors of power
- In Mind
- At times, I think of committing suicide
- Designer of a creative haven
- Fund to help Dubai taxi drivers' families
- New life-saving fleet of vehicles
Community Reports
-
Warming up to ‘Mobilise the Earth' theme
Dubai school dedicates a whole week to celebrating Earth Day with can-collection drives, sapling plantation and painting competition among others
-
Drivers using mobiles put others' lives at risk
Speeding is dangerous for the driver and other motorists
-
Supporting the needy with food supplies
Group of families engaged in serving isolated labour community hopes to motivate more people to help underprivileged and hungry
-
Leukaemia boy granted wish to meet footballer
Emirati meets hero Al Qahtani, Al Ain team
