Nearly 40 showing continued concern
July 2026
Vigil number 138 held this Saturday with just under 40 who came to support. It is amazing that people continue to come and although there are the diehards, new faces come each time. Recognition by passers-by was strong as many at 10 a minute at one stage and over 100 overall. We meet every Saturday in the market square by the Library at 5 pm. All are welcome.
The situation remains grim with 1,123 killed in Gaza since the October ‘cease fire’: cease fire seeming to mean slightly less killing than before. We have already noted the new prime minister, Andy Burnham’s apology for the shameful response by Sir Keir Starmer at the beginning of the conflict which did so much damage to the party and to his reputation. Aseel Baidoun, Deputy Director of Advocacy and Communications at Medical Aid for Palestinians, said:
“Prime Minister Burnham enters Downing Street with an opportunity to chart a new course on the UK’s response to Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territory. His acknowledgement that the last administration ‘got it wrong’ on Gaza is a welcome first step. It must now be followed by urgent action to uphold international law and protect Palestinian lives.
“[…] The new Government must match its words with action by suspending arms transfers to Israel, ending trade with illegal settlements, suspending the UK-Israel Trade and Partnership Agreement, and taking meaningful steps to ensure accountability for violations of international law.”
We noted in a recent post that the government is actively supporting arms sales with money, insurance and organisation at events such as Farnborough. The government has closed down its monitoring unit in the Foreign Office so will be even less aware of events on the ground.
Israel protest
One piece of good news is that Al Jazeera report that there have been demonstrations in Tel Aviv against settler violence which continues at pace. The UN’s OCHA reports that Fatalities linked to settler attacks in 2026 have already surpassed the total recorded during all of 2025, with 18 Palestinians killed as of 20 July compared with 17 throughout 2025.
About 90 Palestinians were displaced by demolitions and settler attacks during the reporting period, most following a large-scale demolition carried out by Israeli authorities in a Bedouin community in Qalqiliya governorate. Demolitions and settler attacks continued to affect Palestinian homes, water systems, schools and livelihood assets, further undermining access to essential services and community resilience.
We await to see if the new prime minister and new Foreign Secretary who replaces the largely ineffective Yvette Cooper, will bring changes to British policy concerning the region and our approach to the Israeli regime. No sign of the local MP, Mr John Glen who is a proud member of the Conservative Friends of Israel along with around 200 other MPs.
Sources include: UN, Lemkin Institute, Guardian, Al Jazeera, OCHA.
Photo courtesy of Peter Gloyns
Amnesty in Salisbury & South Wiltshire 
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