George Galloway Asked Assad's Help for Gaza Convoy, Emails Show

Former British MP George Galloway flattered Assad's aides to ask for support in organising a convoy to the Gaza Strip, confidential emails hacked by Anonymous and obtained by the International Business Times UK have disclosed.

Galloway, who heads an organisation called Viva Palestina, sent the email in August 2010 to Assad adviser Bouthaina Shabaan. In the email, Galloway refers to the "outstanding assistance" given by Syria on previous occasions.

In January 2009, Galloway founded Viva Palestina, which began to organise aid flotillas to the Gaza Strip.

He allegedly has had links with dictators across the Arab world, including Iraqi president Saddam Hussein, and with Hamas in Gaza and the Iranian regime.

His letter to Shabaan is marked "IMPORTANT - private and confidential". Calling Syria "the last castle of Arab dignity", Galloway asks for assistance and cooperation to deliver a convoy of aid to Palestine.

The plan was for trucks to travel overland from London to Syria, from where they would board the Mavi Marmara and travel to al-Arish, in Egypt. From there, they would get into Gaza through the Rafah crossing.

Galloway lists the organisations that would take part in the mission, including Turkish NGO IHH, which planned the flotilla to Gaza in May 2010. The two members responsible for the flotilla were Kevin Ovenden and Zaher Birawi, according to Galloway.

Birawi is allegedly affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood, Haaretz reported. He has been linked to previous attempts to break the siege in Gaza. Ovendon is a far-left British activist who was aboard the Mavi Marmara in the May 2010 flotilla to Gaza.

"In any case please convey my respect and my admiration to His Excellency the President," reads the last part of Galloway's email.

Galloway was kicked out of the Labour Party in 2003 after his remarks against Tony Blair, then prime minister, over Britain's participation in the Iraq war.

Anonymous: Full Text of George Galloway Email to Assad Adviser