Category: Israel

The vigils continue


As the horror in Gaza continues, so do the vigils in Salisbury. information about forthcoming film event

May 2025

Saturday 24th May was the 77th vigil to be held in Salisbury with a healthy attendance as is usual. It has been remarkable that up to 40 attend each week in this activity with no real organisation and very little promotion. There has been only one mention in the local paper and it is noteworthy that the local MP has never appeared nor mentioned the vigil in his weekly column courtesy of the Salisbury Journal: that is 77 vigils and no appearance.

A crucial element in the continuing death toll and destruction is the nature of the information which is being provided to the British people. A talk is being given on this very subject on 6 June entitled Censoring Palestine it will be on June 6th starting at 7 for 7:30 and is free with a parting collection. It will be at the United Reform Church, in Fisherton Street in Salisbury.

Poor information

There are many aspects to the poor information which the public is receiving about the conflict. These include:

  • A deep fear by the BBC in particular and the Labour Party more generally, about being labelled ‘anti-Semitic’. The Israeli government has waged a relentless and largely successful campaign to label any criticism of their actions as such and also being ‘pro-Hamas’. This is ironic since it was Netanyahu and others in his government who funded and supported Hamas in an attempt to weaken the PLO to stave off claims for a Palestinian state. In recent months, the BBC has begun to stiffen its coverage but it is refusing to broadcast the latest film on the area.
  • The Israeli government has prevented outside journalists from entering Gaza making objective reporting very difficult. Journalist who are there are subject to intimidation and 180 have been killed by various means. This has enabled claims that individuals are being used as ‘human shields’ by Hamas and that hospitals are ‘control centres’ for them, to justify the continued destruction of property and hospitals.
  • Very little evidence has ever been provided by the Israelis to demonstrate these claims. We have never been shown a ‘control centre’ despite the frequency of the claims as to their existence.
  • A successful campaign to establish as a supposed fact that all the recent events started on October 7th with the horrific attack by Hamas where 1,200 Israelis were killed and 251 taken hostage. Western media rarely mention 1948. Huge numbers of people in the UK are unaware of the ferocious assault on Palestinians which took place in 1948 and on into 1949. Between 750,000 and 1 million were forcibly displaced, thousands killed on the spot or made to walk huge distances towards Jordan or other parts. Village after village was destroyed. To read of the methods employed by the Stern Gang and Hagana in the clearing of vast areas of Palestinians is a distressing experience. Known as the Nakba, it is seldom referred to in our media leaving the overriding impression that recent events were all as a result of October 7th.
  • Biased language used to describe events. For example, Hamas seized 251 ‘hostages’ some of whom it still holds. In some of the exchanges which took place it is reported that Palestinian ‘prisoners’ were exchanged for Israeli ‘hostages’. The so-called prisoners however, were little more than hostages having been arrested without warrants by IDF personnel, never brought to court, not allowed legal representation, brutally tortured and moved from prison to prison in Israel. Quite what is the difference between a Hamas hostage and an Israeli prisoner? British media persist in this confusion of language. It has falsely given the impression of a terrorist group giving up hostages in exchange for individuals who have been through the court process for committing a crime

There are some welcome signs of change certainly on TV coverage. Channel 4 in particular and the BBC to an extent are beginning to devote longer chunks of time and to display the terrible carnage that is Gaza. Right wing media still persist, for example in the Daily Telegraph where we see the October 7th argument repeated again: “Lammy’s decision, therefore, to jump on the anti-Zionist bandwagon by suspending trade talks with Israel over its “intolerable” military operations in Gaza is entirely in keeping with his world view. Rather than condemning the real architects of Gaza’s misery, the Iranian-backed Hamas jihadis who started the conflict with their murderous October 7 assault on Israel.” Note ‘intolerable’ in inverted commas and criticism of Israel as ‘anti-Zionist’.

It will be interesting to hear of the views in Censoring Palestine on 6 June.

Below is a video of the 77th vigil and we are grateful to Peter Gloyns for permission to post it.

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Appeal case – arms to Israel


Update on the case from Amnesty and Human Rights Watch

May 2025

Amnesty has issued an update on this case which is currently before the Appeal Court. There is a video clip attached.

See also a post from Human Rights Watch;

“How could they have allowed that to happen? This is the question everyone asks, years later, when looking back at mass atrocity crimes in the past. Everything’s so clear when it’s described in history books – war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide…  

It’s not that these things aren’t clear at the time exactly. In fact, in recent decades, they have often been well-documented in excruciating detail more or less as they happen. Yet, somehow, when these things are unfolding in real time, some folks seem unable – maybe, more often, unwilling – to accept the evidence of their eyes and ears. Various considerations distract international leaders in particular: prejudices, alliances, politics…  

There can never be any justification for the worst kinds of crimes known to humanity, but that doesn’t keep leaders from trying to offer some. And with that, you move toward the future answer to the future question: The world at the time had leaders who refused to take a stand and defend humanity when it mattered most.  

Today, everyone can see Israel has been committing atrocities in Gaza during hostilities since October 7, 2023. We’ve seen systematic destruction of homes, apartment buildings, orchards and fields, schools, hospitals, and water and sanitation facilities. Israel has also openly used starvation as a weapon of war.  

These actions amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity including extermination, and acts of genocide. Now, the Israeli government’s latest plan has made its intentions even clearer. They want to demolish what remains of Gaza’s civilian infrastructure and concentrate the Palestinian population (about 2 million people) into one tiny area. 

Israeli government ministers couldn’t make things any more obvious. They say Israel is “finally going to conquer the Gaza Strip.” They threaten that Gaza will be “completely destroyed” and say its Palestinian population will “leave in great numbers to third countries.”  

Some Israeli officials say the Palestinian exodus will be “voluntary.” However, it’s hard to call it voluntary, when Israel has deliberately destroyed the area’s ability to sustain human life. 

If implemented, the plan would amount to an abhorrent escalation of extermination. In fact, Israel’s plan is so obviously extreme and has been made so extremely obvious, it should trigger international action under the Genocide Convention’s “duty to prevent.” 

The 1948 Genocide Convention is an international agreement that embodies the spirit of “never again.” It says a “duty to prevent” genocide arises as soon as a state learns, or should normally have learned, of a serious risk that genocide may be committed.  One hundred and fifty-three countries have signed up to the Convention. These include the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. 

Yet, these are some of the very countries that have been supporting the government of Israel most throughout its carnage in Gaza, not least by continuing to provide Israel with weapons even after the atrocities were undeniable. 

Israel’s latest plan should finally, at long last, shake London, Brussels, Berlin, Paris, and Washington to their core. It should make them see beyond everyday politics, to their responsibility to humanity and history – and to their legal obligation to act. 

Without that, the question one day may indeed be, “How could they have allowed that to happen?” And everyone will know the answer.” Human Rights Watch

May 15th

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Arms to Israel: the Appeal starts


Appeal in the High Court over arms to Israel starts

May 2025

The appeal against a lower court’s decision on the question of the UK government’s decision to continue supplying arms to Israel started in the High Court yesterday, 13th May and is expected to last 4 days. The appeal has been brought by al Haq and supported by Amnesty, Human Rights Watch, Oxfam and Global Legal Action Network.

The question of arms sales and sales to Israel causes difficulties for government since it is heavily invested in the trade. It actively supports the industry with arms fairs such as DSEI, with diplomatic support and sometimes members of royalty are deployed to cement relations particularly with the Gulf states. Many jobs depend on the industry. With current government desperate to promote growth, issues of morality and sales to unpleasant regimes are a less significant factor despite government protestations to the contrary. Over 52,000 have been killed in Gaza so far and a major build-up is being planned by the IDF.

Report issued

Meanwhile, a report has been issued and circulated by CAAT which has examined the UK’s exports of arms to Israel using Israeli tax records. Called Exposing UK Arms Exports to Israel it has been produced by the Palestinian Youth Movement, Workers for a Free Palestine and Progressive International. By examining the coding of the imports they are able to determine the nature of what we are exporting to Israel.

‘No observable decrease‘

Government ministers have claimed that ‘much of what we ship is defensive in nature’ (Hansard, 28 October 2024) and ‘no one would suggest we should not sell helmets or goggles to one of our closest allies‘ (Hansard 20 September 2024). However, the analysis shows however that 8,630 shipments have taken place in the category bombs, grenades, torpedoes, mines and missiles. There have been 299 shipments of tanks and armoured vehicles. It notes that there has been no observable decrease in shipments since September 2024.

Of particular importance, and the matter which has received most attention, is the sale of F-35 parts. This aircraft is used to drop 2,000 pound bombs on Gaza causing indiscriminate destruction and death. The government could not stop these without causing a major upset with US partners. It would ‘undermine US confidence in the UK and NATO‘ the Defence Secretary said. The licensing restrictions should have led to a reduction in aircraft parts being sent to Israel. The report shows that parts are being sent from RAF Marnham to Tel Aviv airport. There does not appear to be any reduction in shipments. At the Appeal Court hearing, UK government lawyers will argue in court this week that preserving the British role in the F-35 jet fighter programme takes precedence over the need to comply with UK laws on arms export controls, or any UK obligation to prevent a genocide in Israel.

Questions for David Lammy

Selling arms seems to take precedence over other considerations. The oft-repeated statement that the UK has ‘robust controls’ seems at variance with the facts. It claims ‘the UK’s robust export licensing criteria states that the government will not issue export licences if the items might be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of International Humanitarian Law’. A report in the National (Scotland) said that 40 Labour MPs have written to the Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, quoting the above report and claiming that he has misled the House. He has been challenged to come to the House of Commons and make a statement about his alleged false claims. Indeed he twice made those claims on the BBC Radio4 PM programme on 8 May and was fortunate that he was not challenged by Evan Davies.

Sources: BBC; CAAT; The Nation; Government statement (others in the text).

The Report can be read here:

REPORT-ExposingUKArmsExportsToIsrael-05072025Download
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The 75th Vigil


Strong support for the vigil continues

May 2025

We held our 75th vigil on Saturday 10 May and there were 40 in attendance: the numbers are steady with new people each week. The crisis in Gaza goes from bad to worse with huge parts of the area annexed by Israel. Over 52,000 are dead. We repeated the ‘pot’ theme to echo the scenes of people desperate for food after 70 days of the blockade. We shall be back next Saturday 17th.

Nakba Event 15 May

Salisbury Concern for Israel Palestine are holding an event this week to remember Nakda, when thousands of Palestinians were driven from their homes and villages in 1948. Join Team Nakba and SCIP as we reflect on the Nakba of 1948 and subsequent events in Israel/Palestine. With Canon Jonathan Herbert, Iman Mahmoud, Miranda Pinch, Hilary Bond and the Dean of Salisbury (representing all the Abrahamic traditions).

​Takes place in All Saints Church, Watersmeet Road, Harnham’ Salisbury, SP2 8JH

7.00pm for 7.30pm. Simple refreshments available and Zaytoun Fairtrade produce on sale​.

(Picture courtesy of Peter Gloyns)

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High Court to decide on arms to Israel


The appeal is to be heard on May 13

May 2025

UPDATE: 8 May. The Foreign Secretary, David Lammy was interviewed on the PM programme yesterday evening [BBC Radio 4] and made the claim, twice, that he had decided to suspend arms sales to Israel. This was not true and regrettably, he was not challenged on either occasion by the interviewer, Evan Davies. Mr Lammy should be thankful that he had such an unchallenging interview, not just on this falsehood but on a range of other matters as well.

The appeal against the government’s decision to continue to supplying Israel with arms – and in particular, components for the F-35 – will be heard in the High Court starting on May 13th. The government is in something of a bind. The actions by Israel in Gaza are widely deplored and many contend amount to a war crime and genocide. But to offend the Americans by curtailing supplies of components for the F-35 used in Gaza is almost unthinkable for the government desperate as it is to curry favour with the Americans.

The action is being brought by Al Haq a human rights organisation based in Ramallah, and Global Legal Action Network consisting of lawyers and investigators which identifies and pursues legal actions against those involved in human rights violations. They have been joined by Amnesty, Oxfam GB and Human Rights Watch.

The latest edition of Campaign Against the Arms Trade (Issue 272, Spring 2025) discusses the issue of continuing military aid to Israel. It notes that ‘even our government has been forced to admit that is assesses Israel is not committed to complying with International Humanitarian Law‘. The case will be the biggest legal test of UK exports to Israel to date. They highlight an article in the Guardian by a former Foreign Office diplomat who described continued attempts by ministers to stonewall or play down evidence of what is happening in Gaza.

Over 52,000 have now been killed in the conflict. There are now reports of 57 deaths due to malnutrition mainly of children, the sick or the elderly. No aid is allowed in including food and necessary medical supplies. This has been the case now for over 60 days. Aid agencies stocks are depleted. A gloomy picture is painted on the situation in Haaretz.

We will follow the court case with great interest.

In addition to the supply of arms, there is the question of involvement of the RAF which has carried out over 250 overflights of Gaza (Declassified says 500). The chief of defence staff, Sir Tony Radakin was asked by a reporter from Declassified whether the RAF’s activities meant they were participating in Israel’s operations in Gaza? Answer came there none. They are not alone and the article reports that backbench MPs have sought answers without success. It is disturbing that the RAF are seemingly deeply involved in what is happening.

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Vigil #73 and the ‘Pan Plan’


Our ‘duty to starve Gazans’ says Likud member

April 2025

The seventy third vigil took place yesterday 26 April with at one point 40 in attendance. It is surprising that this has kept going with good support. A feature this time was a lot of photographs taken by passers by. The situation in Gaza goes from bad to worse with all aid cut off and starvation likely. Scenes of people clamouring for food is shocking especially as many are children. Unwra and World Food Programme say their stocks of food are exhausted. The Israeli government says adequate food and medical supplies are being allowed in but Hamas are stealing them. As journalists are not allowed in it is difficult to verify but this seems very unlikely.

There was a demonstration in Tel Aviv on Thursday last week on Holocaust Memorial Day to remember the 6 million Jews murdered by the Nazis. But it took on a different meaning for some Israelis who are concerned about the killing of thousands of people in Gaza which has now passed 51,000 with more dying in daily strikes. Many women staged a demonstration holding empty cooking pots to symbolise the starvation of people in Gaza.

For some Israeli politicians this is deliberate policy. As Haaretz has reported:

Israeli lawmaker Moshe Saada of PM Netanyahu’s Likud party said in an interview on Channel 14 that it’s Israel’s “duty” to starve Gazans. Criticizing the IDF chief, who reportedly said he does not intend to follow such a policy, Saada said, “I do intend to starve the Gazans – that’s our duty. Our duty is to expel the Gazans.” (Image: Israel National News)

Vigil 74 – change of approach

Next Saturday’s vigil – number 74 – will be in a different form. Attendees are asked to bring an empty cooking pot of some kind (steel, aluminium), to echo the protest Israeli women took in Tel Aviv last week.

Vigil No. 73

Sources: Haaretz, Channel 14, Guardian

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British Jews speak out about Israel


Board of Deputies of British Jews write open letter criticising Israel’s actions

April 2025

UPDATE: 24 April

The Deputies who wrote the letter to the Financial Times face disciplinary action which seems to indicate there are many tensions in the British Jewish community over the war in Gaza in which over 51,000 have now died. The vice-chair has been suspended. All those who wrote are subject to the complaints procedure according to a statement by the Board. The Board has received ‘multiple complaints’ it said from the public and Deputies.

This is a brave move by the Deputies. Around one in eight have written the letter published in the Financial Times on 15th. One of their number was interviewed on various channels on 16 April and said they could no longer ‘turn a blind eye or stay silent’ in view of the violence. This is the most extremist of Israeli governments they claim which is openly encouraging violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, strangling the Palestinian economy and building more new settlements than ever. ‘Israel’s soul is being ripped out’ and as members of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, they fear for the future of the Israel they love and have such close ties to. Until now, they have been supportive of the Israeli government.

Not all Board members agreed and a senior member of the Board is quoted in an article in the Jewish Chronicle:

“[…] The publication of the campaign has been met with a divided reaction in the British community. A senior member of the Board of Deputies described the move as “an incredibly badly advised decision,” adding: “[It is] highly divisive and inappropriate in undermining [Board president] Phil Rosenberg so publicly in a national forum. As British Jews, we should not be commenting on what is effectively an Israeli political matter.”

People who criticise Israel face accusations of anti-Semitism and more recently, being ‘supporters of Hamas’. This has been the standard, knee-jerk almost, response to such criticisms. The Board’s spokesman, Baron Frankal, in the Channel 4 interview said he has received a lot of supportive comments. It will be difficult for the Israeli’s to level these accusations against the Board of Deputies.

Over 50,000 have now been killed in the conflict, the majority women and children, and all aid has been cut off for weeks. There are accusations of genocide being perpetrated.

We in Salisbury continue to hold vigils on Saturday in the market square and all are welcome to join.

Salisbury Concern for Israel Palestine’s site.

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70th Vigil


Gaza: ‘These atrocities were committed in our name’ Haaretz

April 2025

It seems almost unbelievable that a group of people come together every Saturday to stand in a vigil for half an hour on behalf of peace in the Middle East. The horror of October 7th 2023 brought us together but this has been superseded by Israel’s response involving around 50,000 deaths – including many women and children – and the massive destruction of large parts of Gaza. However, things may have changed this week.

There was initially, a large measure of sympathy for Israel and the death of around 1,200 of its people and the taking of 251 hostages. Retaliation was expected but the scale of it has exceeded anything imaginable and is now regarded as a war crime.

Deliberate destruction?

The bombing seemed indiscriminate which is probably a mistaken description. There seems to have been a deliberate attempt to destroy community facilities of one sort or another: schools, hospitals, clinics, water plants and places of worship were all targeted. The reason given in each case was that they were places where Hamas were operating and were often said to be ‘control centres’. Since independent journalists are not allowed in, Israeli claims could not be verified. All aid and electricity has been cut off.

Western media has solemnly reported after a bombing of a hospital say, that Israel had targeted the building because Hamas was using it as a human shield or that it was a control centre. Little or no evidence was ever produced. Thus media have been complicit in their quest for ‘balance’ by reporting the reason for the death of women and children was because of Hamas were somehow involved or were hidden in the hospital.

This week has seen the discovery of a grave in which the decaying bodies of 15 Palestinian medical staff from Red Crescent, and one UN member, were discovered. They were all shot one by one, one man had his hands tied. It looked like an execution in other words. We initially had the usual story that the vehicles were approaching ‘suspiciously’ and without lights. Footage has now appeared to show the vehicles did have lights on and flashing lights. One man was led away blindfolded and his whereabouts is unknown. No weapons were found so claims that they were Hamas were untrue. This incident has shown the standard response by the IDF to killings is unreliable and untrustworthy. It is probable that without independent verification of claims made by IDF, which are reported as fact by western media, it has led to a degree of cavalier carelessness with the truth. Such is the accumulation of evidence about this incident, that Israel has said it will mount an investigation.

Haaretz reports (April 6th) that the 15 dead join around a thousand other medical and aid workers killed in the conflict. It says that the IDF is ignoring both its own and international rules of conflict in the area. The other worrying trend – the undisciplined behaviour of Israeli forces – has spilled over into the West Bank the paper reports where violence against Palestinians has increased markedly. In an editorial they say: “Even though this government would like the war to continue forever, it will end someday. And on that day, the IDF and Israeli society as a whole will be forced to look in the mirror and deal with the knowledge that these atrocities were committed in our name”.

A video of the 70th vigil is available here.

Link to the website of Salisbury Concern for Israel Palestine (SCIP)

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Vigil number 70


We hold our seventieth vigil today, Saturday 5th April

April 2025

POST AMENDED

The 70th vigil was held in Salisbury on Saturday 5th April in the market place. We none of us thought when we started over a year ago that we would still be holding these every Saturday come rain or shine.

This week’s news is especially awful with yet more Palestinian medical staff found dead and buried in a shallow grave in southern Gaza, at least one with his hands tied. They were in clearly marked Red Crescent medical vehicles entering what was supposed to be a safe zone. It made the lead news item in today’s World at One (BBC Radio 4 programme 2 April). The IDF responded in the usual way that the vehicles were coming towards a checkpoint and there were no lights on. The story seems to be falling apart however. The usual Hamas terrorist arguments were trotted out but it now appears there were no weapons. Fortunately there is a survivor to explain what happened. There is evidence that two of the men were murdered after being detained. The use of bulldozers to bury the evidence indicates that this is a war crime. [Text amended 2 April]. We may return to this topic if more information comes to hand.

The programme about the West Bank on ITV the other evening was unpleasant viewing. It showed a settler gradually invading Palestinian land. What was shocking was his contempt for them and spoke in terms of clearing them away. He stopped next to some newly planted olive trees on their land and said he wasn’t going to clear them away now because the camera was on but it was obvious he would be back later.

It does appear that some of our broadcasters are beginning to report on what is happening in the West Bank and Gaza more fully despite reporting restrictions imposed by Israel and to give it due prominence. It puts the pusillanimous response by the UK government in the spotlight and their continuing failure to stop arms shipments is shocking. The obsession with ‘growth’ should not mean growth at all costs if genocide is at the end of it.

West Bank violence is increasing, Haaretz has reported on a large number of attacks, with livestock killed or stolen and a boy in charge of a flock was recently murdered by settlers they believe. IDF soldiers are seen standing by while settlers throw stones and carry out their attacks.

Here is a video of No 69 courtesy of Peter Gloyns.

Link to Salisbury Concern for Israel Palestine

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Gaza: don’t say you don’t know


Vigil number 68

March 2025

The violence continues. Israel has ended the ceasefire and over a hundred have been killed in the recent bombing in Gaza. Encouraged by President Trump and his desire to see some kind of Riviera on the Mediterranean coast, the IDF has restarted its bombing campaign. There can be little pretence that peace and a two state solution is anywhere present in current thinking.

To criticise Israel is to court being called ‘antisemitic’ a kneejerk reaction which has been immensely powerful. Many publications are wary of inviting this slur. It is very encouraging therefore to read of criticisms coming from within Israel itself and in particular in the Haaretz newspaper. A recent article by its editor Aluf Benn, is testimony to this [registration may be needed].

The images on our screens are truly horrific. A landscape of demolished buildings; mountains of rubble; hoards of people moving from one ‘safe zone’ to the next; rows of corpses and parents clutching dead infants. The scale of the response, with Netanyahu promising even worse to come, is demonstrably a crime against humanity. All supported by the United States and now Donald Trump with vague notions of moving 2 million Palestinians out of the territory to some other country.

Britain continues to support Israel and the RAF are reported to be overflying Gaza a largely unreported fact. And of course we are still selling them arms. We are thus complicit in these terrible events.

The 68th Vigil was held yesterday in the Market Place in Salisbury with around 35 in attendance. We are grateful to Peter Gloyns for a moving video.

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