Storm Austen reduces numbers at latest vigil
October 2026
After the strong turnout for vigil 150, the storm meant few braved last evening’s vigil as we sheltered on the steps of the Library. We are pleased to note that the previous week’s vigil attracted some coverage in the Salisbury Journal both on line and in the print version.
On Friday 23rd, Channel 4 News had an extended package on the violence in the West Bank which has been growing in intensity and frequency [registration may be required]. It showed dead goats killed by settler gangs and the camera crew and reporter were themselves attacked. It is the time of the olive harvest and settlers are attacking pickers and the trees themselves. IDF soldiers do little to prevent these attacks. There is footage of Palestinian houses being demolished. Data for the number of attacks is provided by the Israeli human rights organisation Yesh Din which gives copious information about how little is done to bring perpetrators to justice.
The UK’s support for violence in the Middle East with the supply of weapons is well-aired on these pages. They are also keen to stifle support for Palestine Action and over 3,000 have now been arrested for so doing. The author Sally Rooney has been caught up in the dispute and her books can no longer be sold in the UK as this risks arrest. Palestine Action say:
“The ban on Palestine Action was only introduced to serve the interests of the Israel lobby and the Israeli arms industry at the expense of the fundamental freedoms of British citizens.
“Andy Burnham’s Government has the power to overturn this authoritarian ban, but they are choosing instead to defend it in the Supreme Court” [accessed 25 October].
Sarah Helm
A writer and journalist Sarah Helm has also been caught up in what is almost an hysterical response by a range of right wing and Israeli supporting news organisations. Sarah is the wife of Jonathan Powell who is the government’s national security adviser. She responded on X to a clip of broadcaster Adam Boulton criticising fellow writer Sally Rooney over her support for the pro-Palestinian movement. She wrote “God help us authors who support Palestine and Palestine Action. Sounds like Adam [Boulton] would have all our books swept off the shelves in a jiffy.”
The post has drawn attention because Palestine Action was proscribed as a terrorist organisation in the UK in July 2025, making membership and certain forms of support for the group criminal offences under the Terrorism Act 2000. The effect of this decision is increasingly being seen as an attack on free speech. An appeal will be heard in the Supreme Court soon.
The police have decided to take no action as her words do not pass the required threshold. The Campaign Against Antisemitism has been especially vocal against Ms Helm. The organisation was founded by Gideon Falter.
Sources: Jewish Chronicle, BBC, Daily Mail, Daily Telegraph, Spectator. Photos: Salisbury Amnesty.
