They don’t want this to be successful because they don’t want any more convoys. They want to set an example with us. Among those leading the latest attempt by international radical leftists to enter Gaza was New York City Councilman Charles Barron, who is running for Brooklyn Borough President. Barron represents the 42nd council district in Brooklyn, which includes parts of East Flatbush, Canarsie, East New York, and Brownsville.

After arriving in Egypt on July 13, the "Viva Palestina" group, which included well known radical leftists such as British MP George Galloway and former U.S. Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, were prevented by Egyptian authorities from entering Sinai. The group had planned to travel from Sinai to Gaza with what they said was a convoy of medical supplies. In the past, say Israeli officials, many of these groups have attempted to smuggle in supplies that can be used by Hamas terrorists to make weapons with which to attack Israel.

The Egyptians sent them back to Cairo as they attempted to cross the Suez Canal, only to relent several days later and allow the group to enter Gaza via Sinai. While in Gaza, the group met with senior Hamas terrorists. Accompanying the group was a contingent of Neturei Karta members, who were praised by Hamas prime minister Ismail Haniyeh. "These religious figures that express their objection to the siege, the aggression and the crimes, we can't help but respect them and for their beliefs and their culture," Haniyeh said, emphasizing that he is against Israel, not Jews.

Barron, along with Galloway and McKinney, urged activists to contact authorities in the U.S. and England to push Egypt into allowing the delegation to enter Gaza. Egyptian authorities said the group had not filed its paperwork properly, but Barron disputed this, saying the group would "get around these obstacles." Speaking by phone to a group of protesters outside the Egyptian UN Mission in New York, Barron said that "the revolutionary spirit of Palestine has ignited the struggle. Those taking to the streets in the U.S. and worldwide have earned the credit for this breakthrough with the Egyptian government."

"They don’t want this to be successful because they don’t want any more convoys," Barron said. "They want to set an example with us. They were hoping that they would discourage us."

Barron, a former Black Panther member, is one of seven currently declared candidates planning to run in the Democratic party primaries to qualify as the party's candidate as Brooklyn Borough President. After the passage of a bill to extend term limits, the current Borough President, Marty Markowitz, is running for a third term, and is considered a favorite in the September race. Barron has also been bitterly at odds with both current mayor Michael Bloomberg and former mayor Rudy Giuliani. "We have suffered under a mayor - Rudy Giuliani - who inflamed racial incidents in the city. Now we suffer under a mayor - Mayor Bloomberg - who is clueless about racial inequality," Barron was quoted as saying in 2003.

During a protest in January against Israel's Operation Cast Lead against Hamas terrorism, Barron told a group of protesters outside city hall that Bloomberg "doesn't speak for all New Yorkers. And we need to be politically strong. Don't be afraid to stand up and say that Israel is wrong."