Sidmouth talk on Gaza gives harrowing account

SIDMOUTH woman Susan will talk about her visits to Gaza on Saturday, May 23 at All Saints Hall, Sidmouth, at 10.30 am.

SIDMOUTH woman Susan will talk about her visits to Gaza on Saturday, May 23 at All Saints Hall, Sidmouth, at 10.30 am.

Robert Crick, as chairman of Sidmouth Campaign Against War, writes: "Her report on her recent visit to Gaza is harrowing and detailed with vivid up-to-date photographs.

"In April she found a different place from the Gaza she visited last year. Supplies to the devastated area (the size of Axmouth to Exmouth from the sea as far inland as Sidbury) are still blockaded five months after the Israeli bombardment and tank invasion destroyed the infrastructure, the factories, the crops including mature olive groves.

"Cement and glass - and even musical instruments - are not allowed in despite over 200 million dollars in foreign aid ready to be invested in the battle zone. Deaths of children continue in ruined houses and tent cities. Food supplies are 25 percent of a year ago, 35,000 families have no drinking water, 10 percent are without electricity. Transport is provided by starving donkeys.

"But Susan Barton and colleagues did manage to walk through no man's land for a mile under the rockets and the hot sun carrying loads of educational toys and equipment, including seven wheeled toys from All Saints Infants, and she is returning with more supplies to train the new teachers in how to develop educational play among the traumatised nursery school children."

The Exeter Palestine Solidarity Campaign are sending a large donation to add to Sidmouth's impressive contributions

Tomorrow, Saturday, there will be a demonstration in London to show Gaza is not forgotten.

For discount tickets to the National Demonstration email postie@exeterpsc.org.uk

Further info at www.stopwar.org.uk or www.palestinecampaign.org.