Eighteenth vigil held on Saturday and show no sign of ending
April 2024
The eighteen vigil for peace in Gaza was held on Saturday 6th April and they do not show signs of coming to an end. Indeed, with the events of last week, they could be continuing for some while yet. Over 40 turned up to this one and numbers have never been below 30 and sometimes over 50.
Last week’s attack on aid worker vehicles and the death of 7 aid workers, three of them British, seems to have been something of a defining moment in this war in Gaza. Around 33,000 have now lost their lives and many thousands lie buried the the bombed buildings. Thousands of them are women and children. There is now a real risk of famine if it isn’t already underway.
Many have been outraged to discover that Britain is supplying arms to Israel although we are a small supplier in comparison with the US and Germany. There are calls for an embargo of these sales although several argue that we must honour our agreements and stopping the supply is giving aid to Hamas.
It has taken the death of aid workers – and the manner of their deaths – to effect a change in attitudes among the public and the commentariat. People were deeply shocked by the needless savagery committed by Hamas on Israeli people living near to Gaza. There was immense sympathy for the country and support for actions to curb or eliminate Hamas from operating. Israel’s subsequent actions and the scale of killing however, has led many people to feel at the very least disquiet at IDF actions in the territory.
Amnesty argues that all parties must adhere to International Humanitarian law and Israel must address the system of Apartheid it has in in place in the occupied territories. For decades Israel has ignored UN resolutions and has largely acted with impunity.
Members of various local groups and none at the Vigil on Saturday
Pic: Salisbury Amnesty
There is also a short video
Amnesty in Salisbury & South Wiltshire 
Dear Peter,
Thank you for the photograph, which I have sent to my children with a wry comment about the absence of people under 40 !
Thank you also for the excellent summary of the present situation. I believe you also have a letter in last week’s Journal. I do feel that the tide is turning and that the pressure for a permanent ceasefire is building. The latter cannot come soon enough.
Best wishes,
Val
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