The Viva Palestina US convoy included several high-profile members of the anti-Israel movement in the U.S. In addition to four Neturei Karta representatives, New York City Councilmember Charles Barron and former United States Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney also participated in the convoy.
The Viva Palestina US campaign raised more than $1 million to donate to Gaza, more than half of which was used to purchase approximately 47 vehicles. Egyptian authorities allowed the medical supplies to be transported to Gaza but barred the activists from donating the vehicles. The Israeli government has reportedly said that it would allow the vehicles to be donated to Gaza via Israel but Viva Palestina organizers have thus far refused to allow that.
Upon arriving in Gaza, Galloway held an impromptu press conference covered by several international and local media outlets. He said: "We are all here to say that the siege of Gaza must end… because it is a criminal siege which is killing people because of how they voted in a democratic election." When asked if he had a message for the leaders of Arab governments, Galloway stated, "Well, it's a shame, you know, that the Arabs have to live under the governments they live under. But it's a bigger shame that Britain and the United States of America continue to prop up those governments with money and democratic, political and even military support." Barron and McKinney stood alongside Galloway at the press conference.
The following morning, a press conference was held in Gaza featuring a meeting of Haniyeh and the Neturei Karta representatives. Haniyeh reportedly told them that Jews aren't the enemy. "Our problem is with the occupation, that stems from the Zionist ideology and its desire to disperse all the Palestinians." He also said, "We view you as heroes, you are opening the eyes of the world to the siege in the Strip."
Galloway began garnering interest in an American version of Viva Palestina almost immediately after leading the European convoy in March. Between March and June, he visited more than 25 U.S. cities and spoke at several college campuses to garner support for the convoy. During his appearances, Galloway railed against Zionism and advocated for a one-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, accused Israel of committing acts of "terrorism" against Palestinians and regularly voiced support for Palestinian "resistance," legitimizing it as a response to Israel's "illegal and violent military occupation.
Organizers of Viva Palestina US mobilized quickly, creating a comprehensive Web site with information about the upcoming convoy, application forms, lists of sponsoring and endorsing groups and a calendar of fundraising events. They also created an e-mail listserve to easily communicate information and named Ron Kovic, a Vietnam veteran and longtime antiwar activist, as a co-organizer of the convoy. Kevin Ovenden, a leader of the first convoy and a Galloway spokesperson, was named National Coordinator of Viva Palestina US.
