Tony Blair's niece begins epic cycle for peace

9th October 2009

Cyclists from across the world will today arrive in Amman to take part in the 4th international Peace Cycle to Jerusalem.

Among the group are Lauren Booth, sister-in-law of Tony Blair, and her daughter Alexandra.

As ex-PM Blair becomes favorite for first President of Europe, his 8-year old niece will take a fortnight off school to cycle through the occupied Palestinian territories.

She will stay with Palestinian families and learn what life is like under Israeli occupation.

Mr Blair has not publicly commented on his niece's planned trip, which will take her to a refugee camp in Amman, home to Palestinian families made homeless in 1948, and unrecognized Arab villages within Israel.

Then, together with her mother and people from six countries, Alex will cycle the length of the West Bank where travel is severely restricted due to Israeli checkpoints, road blocks, curfews and closures.

Journalist Lauren Booth says the Peace Cycle is a chance for Alex to express her friendship and hopes for peace with her Arab, Palestinian peers.

She said: The question I have always been asked on previous trips to Gaza and the West Bank is: when can we meet your children? I have no doubt that Alex's presence will lift morale both for those cycling and, more importantly, for the families cut off from the world's children by walls and checkpoints.

As well as hoping to raise awareness of the issues around the conflict in Israel and the Palestinian territories, and calling for a just peace in the region, the Peace Cyclists are raising funds to support the establishment of a mobile eye clinic in the occupied territories.

The project is called Oyooni, Arabic for My Eyes and will enable Palestinians with diabetes and glaucoma to receive treatment they otherwise can not obtain because o f restricted movement in the Palestinian territories.

Lauren and Alexandra will be making daily reports of their journey for justice and peace. Their story can be followed at www.thepeacecycle.com

The Peace Cycle is co organized and hosted by Siraj, Center for Holy Land Studies http://www.sirajcenter.org

Please donate to the Qalqilieh Cycling Club, for more information, please do not hesitate to contact us,

Salaam and greetings.

George S. Rishmawi

Coordinator,
Siraj, Center For Holy Land Studies
Beit Sahour, Schoold Street
P.O.Box 48
Palestine
Email: george@sirajcenter.org
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Website: http://www.sirajcenter.org
Tel: +972 2 274 8590
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