Tag: Jews

Well attended vigil


Strong attendance at 121st vigil

March 2026

Around 36 attended the 121st vigil and it was pleasing to welcome some passers-by who stopped to join in. Nearly half the cars sounded their horns. Here is a video of the vigil. The vigils started because of the horrific events on October 7th and the ensuing violence in Gaza where the death toll stands at 72,267. The violence continues and around 4 weeks ago, both Israel and the US have started a bombing campaign in Iran and very recently, Israel has started a ground and bombing campaign in Lebanon. In the past few days, the Houthis in Yemen have recommenced their campaign sending missiles towards Israel.

There has never been a sign of the local MP Mr John Glen at any of the vigils nor any mention of them in his weekly column afforded to him by the Salisbury Journal. Mr Glen has claimed in the paper to be a proud member of the Conservative Friends of Israel group. Another member of the Labour party version is the Trade Minister highlighted in our previous post (see link below).

Use of white phosphorus

The violence seems set to continue with civilian casualties mounting on all sides but mostly in Iran and Lebanon. A particularly troubling development last week was a report by Human Rights Watch producing evidence that Israel is using white phosphorus in southern Lebanon. White phosphorus is a chemical substance dispersed in artillery shells, bombs, and rockets which ignites when exposed to oxygen. It can set homes, agricultural areas, and other civilian objects on fire. Technically, it is not a chemical weapon.

Under international humanitarian law, the use of airburst white phosphorus is unlawfully indiscriminate in populated areas and does not meet the legal requirement to take all feasible precautions to avoid civilian harm. The effects on humans is fearful. Biology Insights report ‘direct contact with white phosphorus leads to severe and immediate localized damage, primarily through chemical and thermal injuries. White phosphorus ignites spontaneously when exposed to air, typically at temperatures ranging from 30 to 50 degrees Celsius. This ignition initiates a highly exothermic reaction, releasing significant heat and causing the substance to burn fiercely at temperatures between 800 and 2500 degrees Celsius. The burning continues until the phosphorus is consumed or deprived of oxygen.

‘The resulting burns are profoundly painful and can be full-thickness, extending through all layers of the skin. White phosphorus particles readily adhere to skin and clothing. Because the substance is highly lipid-soluble, it can penetrate deeply into underlying fatty tissues, muscles, and even bone. This deep penetration leads to extensive tissue necrosis [death of cells] at the point of contact‘.

Inhalation is also extremely painful and causes lung damage and possibly renal failure.

‘Beyond horrific‘

A 2023 Amnesty report described its use then as ‘beyond horrific’. The weapon also contaminates the ground and makes its future use problematic for agriculture. Since most villages in the area are dependent on agriculture it has profound economic effects as well.

Hastings protest by Jewish people

This short moving video taken by Hastings Jews for Justice is a protest against Israel’s planned execution law for Palestinians only. Palestinians in Israeli prisons are already tortured, abused, starved and raped. They will be hanged if this law is enacted. There is no appeal. They claim it is state-sanctioned murder. HJJ calls on all MPs to condemn this vile law. Please add your name to the HJJ letter here: https://forms.gle/gnEgkRs553z5Yi617 HJJ Website: https://www.hastingsjewsforjustice.org/ This Guardian article provides an update on the progress through the Knesset.

Previous posts:

Photo & video: Peter Gloyns

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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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Holocaust Memorial Day


The 27 January, was Holocaust Memorial Day. We remember the millions of Jews, Romanies, Sinti and others who were murdered in a variety of camps in Germany and occupied Poland. Around 6 million Jews were murdered by the Nazis.

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