Category: Gaza

Vigil 65


Vigils continue despite the ceasefire

March 2025

The vigil in Salisbury Market Place continue although with the least in attendance we have seen for months. Perhaps other crises are on people’s minds and the ceasefire seemed to be holding – for now at least. The death toll in Gaza now stands at over 48,300 but thousands lie unrecorded under the rubble.

Today, Israel announced the cessation of aid going into Gaza which was part of the agreement. So an end does not seem to be in sight. The role of the Americans is a crucial factor and as we have seen with Ukraine, President Trump’s liking of strong men seems to be the name of the game.

A video prepared by Peter Gloyns can be seen here. We shall be back on 8th March at 5pm.

REMINDER!

To all members and supporters, the tree ceremony takes place at 11:00 on Tuesday 4th in Victoria Park (by the main entrance at the south end of the park). It will only be short and if you can spare the time that would be wonderful. The tree is a recognition of the 50 years of the local Amnesty group.

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Abuse of medical staff by Israel


Reports of torture, beatings, starvation and humiliation of Palestinian medical staff by Israeli authorities

February 2025

With the welcome release of hostages from Gaza as part of the peace process, there has been considerable coverage of the condition of those arriving back home in Israel. Some have died in custody either as a result of bombing by Israel or by other means. Since journalists are not allowed in Gaza, obtaining independent confirmation of which is difficult. Those released have looked thin and haggard and Hamas used the process to make propaganda points. There have been no reports of torture or mistreatment however. Further coverage has shown their reception in Israel with large crowds welcoming them home.

Credible reports are emerging of the treatment of Palestinian medical people in Israel prisons. Health Care Workers Watch in a report published in December last year (accessible on their site) paints an horrific picture of their treatment. Medical staff, including surgeons, have been seized in hospitals – sometimes in the midst of performing surgery – and subjected to sustained brutal treatment and torture in Israel. Similar reports are produced by the World Health Organisation.

Medical staff have been thrown into lorries and have suffered severe beatings leaving them incapable of standing, The range of mistreatment is horrific and the detailed descriptions disturbing. In brief the treatment has included: beatings, often using rifle butts; severe injuries to genitalia; anal rape – again often with rifles; use of dogs; electrocution, sometimes while suspended from the ceiling; people forced into stress positions; prolonged solitary confinement; extremely loud music to prevent sleep, and not allowing medical prisoners to wash or change clothes for sustained periods of time sometimes months. All were eventually released without charge. WHO suggests that 297 medical staff were held, HCWW claim it was 384.

The reports paint a picture that suggests these arrests, combined with the attacks and destruction of medical facilities in Gaza itself, are part of a plan to make the territory unliveable. The reports are supported by evidence from an Israeli organisation, Physicians for Human Rights in Israel. They have visited prisoners and carried out their own interviews supporting the above allegations. A CNN report provides further horrific details. The Israeli human rights organisation B’Tselem published a report Welcome to Hell describing the cruelties and torture inflicted in Israeli prisons more widely. There is also a report by Human Rights Watch on the torture of Palestinian medics. The Israeli government has denied all these allegations saying prisoners are held and treated according to law.

People reading this post may be surprised at the information above. This is because of the widespread failure of media to report it. There is considerable coverage of the homecomings and of the release of Hamas detainees whereas the treatment described here has received limited coverage.

The importance of language

Language is important no more so than during a time of conflict. Media reports describe those released by Hamas as ‘hostages’ in exchange for ‘prisoners’ being released by Israel. This is the language used by BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and print media to describe these events. It has become the standard way to describe them. It is thoroughly misleading. It demonstrates the capture of British media by the steady drip of Israeli misinformation combined with banning journalists access on the ground. It may also be an indication of the fear media groups have of being labelled ‘antisemitic’. Almost all criticism of Israel is labelled thus. Such criticism gives rise to accusations of the critic being ‘pro Hamas’. It is conveniently forgotten that Benyamin Netanyahu was a supporter of the organisation in an attempt to weaken the PLO.

Considerable evidence – from within the country and outside – shows that Israel has seized scores of medics (the subject of this post), threw them into lorries and subjected them to sustained periods of torture, abuse, did not allowed access to lawyers and with no charges made. How is this different from hostages? The word ‘prisoner’ implies some process of law. It also implies that said prisoners had committed some kind of crime. Yet no charges were made, none were taken before a magistrate, none were allowed legal representation and they were eventually released without charge after prolonged periods of mistreatment, solitary confinement and torture.

This has enabled Israel to occupy a kind of higher moral ground. The country suffered terribly on October 7th. Hamas killed 1,200*, seized hostages in their fearful raid on October 7th 2023 and held them for months and it still holds on to some. This is a war crime. Yet Israel’s subsequent behaviour, killing around 48,300 in Gaza with over 111,000 injured (WHO figures) and the vast destruction and mounting violence in the West Bank, has lost the nation much sympathy. It has not solved its central problem of long-term security and the prospects for a two state solution seem further away than ever.

Western media, by failing to report on these issues, is guilty of misleading the public.

Sources: WHO; CNN; Guardian; Health Care Workers Watch; Physicians for Human Rights in Israel; B’Tselem; Human Rights Watch. See also Health Workers for Palestine

*revised figure – Times of Israel 11 November 2023.

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63rd Vigil


Vigils continue

February 2025

The 63rd and latest vigil took place again on Saturday 15th with around 30 in attendance. The situation in Gaza remains tense. Three hostages were released last week in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. The condition of those released by Hamas shocked the nation.

The political situation is what might be termed ‘fluid’. The plan announced by Donald Trump to expel all Palestinians from Gaza and to create a Riviera of the Eastern Mediterranean has met with international alarm and would amount to ethnic cleansing. The plan has been warmly received by some in Israel especially members of the hard right. The US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio was in Israel to discuss the President’s idea with the Israelis. Arab states have rejected it and want to see a solution that involves the Palestinians.

While considerable uncertainty exists, the vigils will continue and the next is on Saturday 22nd at 5pm as usual. All are welcome.

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Vigils continue


62nd vigil held on Saturday

February 2025

And the vigils continue with the 62nd taking place in the market place Salisbury on Saturday 8 February. As we said in a previous post, we had hoped with the ceasefire underway, however shaky, and peace talks about to resume, that we might be seeing an end to the violence. And along came President Trump with his talk of ‘clearing out’ Palestinians and rebuilding Gaza to become a new Riviera for that part of the world. ‘Clearing out’ – like so much rubbish or emptying one’s shed. This was music to the ears of the far right in Israel. The problem is that it lowers the impetus for peace and a two state solution now seems dead in the water. The proposals have dismayed America’s allies and even some Republicans were taken by surprise. Arab countries are vehemently against.

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Angry response to vigil article


January 2025

There has been an angry series of responses to the article published in the Salisbury Journal

Our last post was to draw attention to a piece in this week’s Salisbury Journal (30 January) reporting on the vigils which have taken place in Salisbury for over a year now. They are silent, last half an hour and the main theme is peace in Gaza. It is worth noting that the death toll is around 46,000 but the Lancet suggests it is higher because many bodies lie undiscovered in the rubble.

The article has prompted a large number of almost exclusively critical ‘below the line’ comments some of which have attracted 70, 80 or more ‘likes’ [accessed 31.01.25, 21:38]. Two drew attention to the fact it was published on Holocaust Memorial Day and said that whoever on the Journal decided to publish it ‘should be fired’, that it was ‘not appropriate’ and they ‘should hang their heads in shame’. This is to misunderstand the themes behind the day which the Holocaust Memorial Trust points out is about empathising with people today and helping to build a better future. Of course it is about the terrible events during the war and the millions of Jews and others murdered by the Nazis. But is also reminding us that violence on the scale we have seen in Gaza and its indiscriminate nature is also a cause of great concern. [UPDATE: 2 February. The adverse comments attracted over 700 ‘likes’]

Another called it ‘unbelievably crass’ to pass on unfiltered pro-Hamas views. It is difficult to see where a description of a peaceful vigil can be described as ‘pro-Hamas’. It was also described as a ‘demonstration’. It was not. One wrote: ‘on Holocaust Memorial Day 2025, Isabella Holliday [the journalist who’s by-line was at the top of the article] has failed in her professional duty as a journalist, to write an accurate unbiased article on the Israel/Hamas conflict’. It was not such a piece.

Other wild comments include the assertion that ‘Hamas is responsible for all the civilian deaths in Gaza and that most of the casualties are Hamas terrorists’. Since around 15,000 of the deaths are children this is a bold claim and demonstrably untrue. The hostility of the comments might come as a surprise since the vigil is just that: between 30 or 40 people typically, who come together each week to express their concern for the violence that is taking place. There is no visible or overt support for Hamas. It might be worth remembering that it was Benjamin Netanyahu who did support Hamas according to the Times of Israel and others.

Last week was meant to be the last, and we welcomed the cease fire and the release of some of the hostages with more to come out. But the increase in violence on the West Bank, the ending of aid provided by Unwra, and the possible appointment of Mike Huckabee as the US ambassador, led to the decision to continue.

Hamas has not been destroyed. Gaza has been reduced to rubble. At least 46,000 Palestinians have died and many thousands injured. Channel 4 News featured some distressing images of injured children unable to get proper medical help (31 January). Almost nothing has been achieved and certainly not the long term security of Israel. It is disappointing to see so many hostile comments and the large numbers of people who appear to like them i.e. approve of them.

The next vigil will take place tomorrow, 1st February as usual.

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Salisbury Journal piece


Journal acknowledges Vigils held in Salisbury

January 2025

The Salisbury Journal published a short piece describing the Vigils we have been holding each week in this week’s edition (30 January 2025). It said:

“A silent vigil took place outside the library to express a hope for the of violence in the Middle East. On Saturday the 60th silent vigil took place outside Salisbury Library with around 50 people attending. The weekly vigils are an expression of hope for an end to violence and a peaceful future in the Middle East and in the most recent [event] people carried flowers and candles and displayed heartfelt messages.

The messages emphasised the message for a permanent ceasefire. A spokesperson from vigil said “we call on the UK government to take immediate action to ensure accountability and justice for Palestinians. All arms sales to Israel muse be suspended. This is a moment of truth for the UK. To continue shielding Israel from accountability is to abandon the principles of justice and human rights that the UK claims to uphold.”

These vigils are supported by local groups of Amnesty International, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, Christian Aid, Quakers, Sarum Concern for Israel Palestine and many others.”

The vigils will continue and the next is this Saturday 1st February at 5pm as usual for half an hour. All welcome.

Also in the Journal, the local MP Mr Glen, spoke of his presence at the Holocaust memorial which took place in the city. He has not acknowledged in his weekly columns any of the 60 vigils so far held.

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Vigils to continue


Vigils to continue. Violence intensifies on the West Bank

January 2025

In a previous post we said we hoped that tonight’ vigil (25 January) would be the last following the cease fire deal agreed. It seems we were a trifle premature. Although the deal is holding for the moment with three more hostages released today, violence in the West Bank has escalated with settlers attacking Palestinian villages and setting fire to homes and vehicles.

“No such thing as a Palestinian” Mike Huckabee

But the biggest worry is the future with the impending appointment of Mike Huckabee as the US Ambassador to Israel. President-elect Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that he has nominated former Arkansas Governor, Mike Huckabee who is a strong defender of Israel who once argued that there was “no such thing as a Palestinian.”

Trump is quoted as saying: “Mike has been a great public servant, Governor, and Leader in Faith for many years. He loves Israel, and the people of Israel, and likewise, the people of Israel love him. Mike will work tirelessly to bring about Peace in the Middle East!”

Gov. Huckabee has been staunchly pro-Israeli throughout his career – including on what he says is the country’s claims to the West Bank. On Wednesday he said it was “of course” possible that the US would back the Israeli government if it were to try and annex the Israeli-occupied territory. The full throated support for Israel’s claims to the West Bank and the denial of a Palestinian state or indeed a two state solution, can only mean an increase in tensions in the area. The Atlantic reports that the majority of American Jews (66%) support a two state solution. He has also gone further than most US politicians with his stance on the West Bank saying: “There is no such thing as a West Bank. It’s Judea and Samaria. There’s no such thing as a settlement, they’re communities, they’re neighbourhoods, they’re cities.”

As a result, we shall be continuing with our vigil and we shall be back next Saturday 1st February at 5pm. Over 40 attended today (25 January) and we had a display of flowers thinking we had a small thing to celebrate. The increased violence in the West Bank and Huckabee’s likely appointment means continued violence is a likelihood.

Sources include: Jewish Chronicle, The Atlantic, CNN,

Amended, 26th Jan

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The penultimate Vigil?


Will tomorrows Vigil, the 60th, be our last?

January 2025

Around 40 attended this evenings Vigil in Salisbury (18th January) with the highest number of passers-by stopping to join us even if it was for a short while. Tomorrow, the peace process starts with another 6 weeks of negotiations to discuss a peace deal. Will it hold? Listening to Netanyahu’s address this evening, it does not look promising. As the Israeli human rights organisation Gisha says ‘we are hopeful but not optimistic’.

Penultimate Salisbury Vigil for peace?

There are many problems for both sides to overcome. This deal has been achieved largely through American pressure. The fundamentals of the conflict remain unresolved. The factors which research shows lead to the ending of hostilities are only partially present. One factor for example, is the exhaustion of both sides with losses of soldiers and weaponry making further advances difficult. Another factor is the public getting tired of the war with restrictions and higher prices. This does not look to be true here. Israel has lost around 900 soldiers. The Israeli public is largely supportive and the Americans are committed to supplying as much weaponry as needed. Hamas is much reduced but not eliminated.

Netanyahu said the IDF will keep control of the Philadelphi corridor with more troops. Gaza will remain contained. In his statement last evening, he said Israel can re-enter Gaza at any time. A lot will depend on aid being allowed in.

We must hope that peace will hold and the first phase is successful with hostage and prisoner swaps successfully achieved. A video of the Vigil can be viewed here. It is noteworthy that the local MP for Salisbury Mr John Glen, has never appeared at any of the 59 Vigils.

We will hold our 60th Vigil today, Saturday 25th January at 5pm as usual. If you are planning to come, please bring flowers.

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Peace in Gaza, at last


Cease fire deal signed gives hope at last

January 2025

The cease fire deal signed yesterday, ahead of a full peace deal, timed to start the day before Donald Trump’s inauguration as president, is very welcome. It has taken a long time in coming. Haaretz reports that Netanyahu was ‘bulldozed’ into the deal by the Trump team. We must sincerely hope that it lasts. Gisha in a statement says it is ‘hopeful but not optimistic‘. It is worth pondering on the destruction caused and the following are the best estimates of the deaths, injuries and other losses during the conflict:

Palestinians killed in Gaza: 46,707

Children confirmed killed in Gaza: 13,319

Palestinians reported buried under rubble in Gaza: 11,000

Palestinians injured in Gaza: 110,265

Palestinians displaced in Gaza: 1.9 million (90% of the population)

Attacks on healthcare facilities during the war: 654

Health workers killed: 1,060

Schools damaged or destroyed: 534 (95% of schools)

Children out of formal education: 660,000 (all school-age children)

Homes damaged or destroyed: 436,000 (92% of total)

People killed inside Israel on 7 October 2023: about 1,200

People abducted to Gaza from Israel on 7 October 2023: 251

Hostages still in Gaza in January 2025: 101 (37 believed dead)

These are taken from a piece in today’s Guardian newspaper (16 January) which is a full summary of the damage done to the territory.

We shall be holding a Vigil today, Saturday 18th in the Market Place near the Library starting at 5pm as usual. We will hold what we hope may be our last Vigil the following Saturday 25th.

Gisha is an Israeli human rights organisation.

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Questionable logic by David Lammy


David Lammy suggests insufficient numbers killed in Gaza to merit calling it genocide

January 2025

As part of a statement to the House of Commons on 28 October 2024, in an answer to a question about claims by some Labour MPs about the alleged policy of genocide, annihilation and extermination of Palestinians in Gaza, the Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: “These are legal terms, and they must be determined by international courts. I agree with [Nick Timothy MP] that those terms were largely used when millions of people lost their lives in crises such as Rwanda and the Holocaust of the second world war. The way that people are now using those terms undermines their seriousness [Citation: HC Deb, 28 October 2024, C556].

Genocide is not about numbers killed

Lammy is completely wrong about this. Genocide is not defined by numbers killed. Article II of the Genocide Convention makes clear it is about killing members of a group (a); causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group (b) and deliberately inflicting on to a group conditions calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part (c). Numbers killed is not mentioned. Is Lammy suggesting that if yet more are killed, some kind of threshold will be reached at which point they will deem it genocide?

The minister will be well aware of the many reports concerning actions in Gaza. Organisations such as Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, B’Tselem, Médicins sans Frontières, the UN and various agencies of the UN, have all produced copious details about what is happening there.

David Lammy also states that the current situation began on October 7th 2023 with the Hamas raid into Israel killing over 2,000 Israelis and taking over 200 hostages. There is no dispute about the horror of this attack and that Hamas committed a war crime. But the history of this conflict did not begin on October 7th but in 1948.

The debate is about the Israeli response and the killing of large numbers of civilians, women and children and whether this level of killing is proportionate to the threat they face. The death toll is now around 46,000. Despite this evidence ‘the government is unable to conclude whether Israel’s bombing campaign and military operations in general violate International Humanitarian Law‘.

There have been many calls for the UK to end arms sales to Israel. The government has suspended 30 licences but parts for the F-35 continued to be made. It is this aircraft which is used to bomb Gaza. It has allowed many ‘open licences’ which does not identify weaponry and according to CAAT ‘leaves holes you can fly and F-35 through’ (CAAT News, Issue 271).

The government is frightened of upsetting the Americans by stopping F-35 parts being made in the UK. With Donald Trump to become the president in a few days, cancelling the contract is politically impossible for them. It also shows the power of the arms industry to call the shots as far as government policy is concerned. In the same debate Lammy claims that ‘we have one of the most robust export licensing regimes in the world’. Despite this, evidence shows that large amounts of military equipment is finding its way to Israel. His statement to the House is a nonsense.

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