Jenny braves the Israeli blockade
Jenny Linnell is joining a crew of Palestinians, Israelis and volunteers from a dozen other countries aiming to attempt to sail through the Israeli blockade with a cargo of medical and other supplies.
The attempt is being organised through the Free Gaza movement and is due to take place on Saturday.
Meanwhile, 33-year-old Jenny is making her way to the Middle East to link up with the volunteer crew.
Jenny said: “I'm very apprehensive about our reception by the Israeli authorities, as there is no way of knowing in advance how they will react. I suppose I can't dwell on any possible dangers involved in doing this kind of work. The supplies are needed and so this kind of action needs to happen.
“More than 40 medical patients have died in the past year simply because equipment and drugs weren't available. I feel that, as part of the international community, we need to be doing something and anything we achieve is worthwhile.”
Jenny is a vegan chef who has lived in Totnes for the last 10 years. She has worked at both The Willows vegetarian restaurant in Totnes and Cranks restaurant in Dartington.
She has been involved in various environmental projects in the area — most recently the Totnes Cycling Group which is linked to Transition Town Totnes. In 2002 and 2003 she volunteered to travel to the Gaza Strip trouble spot to work as a human rights monitor with the International Solidarity Movement.
