A peace vigil has been held Birmingham to mark a full year since the start of the war on Gaza, bringing together Muslims and Jews for peace in Palestine.
On Monday 7th October 2024, members of Birmingham’s diverse interfaith communities gathered in the city centre to remember all the lives lost in Palestine over the last 365 days.
Muslim leaders were joined by Jewish rabbis, Christian representatives and people of all faiths and none to show solidarity with the people of Gaza, who have been bombarded by Israeli military strikes for over the last 12 months, killing over 41,000 people and displacing millions.
Israel’s attack on Gaza has since spread into the West Bank and wider Palestine, and expanded into military strikes on Lebanon, Syria and Yemen, while escalating tension between Israel and Iran.
The candle-lit peace vigil included a reading of names of some of the thousands of civilians who have been killed as a result of Israeli bomb attacks, including children, health workers and journalists.
A minute’s silence was also be observed as a mark of respect; as invited speakers shared their reflections of solidarity, prayer and peace.
Anti-war activists, artists, poets and academics also be joined the event, as did health workers from across the region.
The event has been coordinated by humanitarian organisation ISRA-UK – who have been delivering aid programmes in Palestine, Lebanon and Yemen for several decades – and is being supported by the Birmingham Stop the War Coalition, West Midlands Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Muslim Association of Britain and Jewish group Neturei Karta.
Saraya Hussain, managing director of ISRA-UK, said:
“The people of Palestine, specifically Gaza, have endured suffering for decades at the hands of the oppressive Israeli state but the last 12 months have been one of the worst periods in this brutal 76 year-long occupation.
“Tens of thousands of people have been murdered since October last year through military airstrikes on an already densely packed population. Displaced communities have once again become refugees on their own land. Access to humanitarian aid has been denied, diseases are spreading and bloodshed continues. We are calling for an end to this.
“We are desperately calling for a ceasefire. Humanitarian groups have condemned the bombing of Gaza, the West Bank and surrounding countries. International courts have condemned Israel’s illegal actions.
“We have come to remember those who are suffering and calling for peace in Palestine.”
The somber gathering is also being supported by Health Workers 4 Palestine, MEND, Never Forget Gaza, and Birmingham for Palestine.
