7 September 2022
Renewed attacks on Palestinian Human Rights organisations.
In August, for the second time within a year, Palestinian human rights and civil society organizations,
including Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees (UPWC) and the Defence of Children
International-Palestine (DCIP), had their offices violently raided by Israeli police. Materials and
documents from these offices were confiscated and office doors welded shut
The Union of Palestinian Women said: UPWC affirms its legitimate right to defend its historical
national and feminist struggles, and calls on the Palestinian society with all its components to stand
up firmly to these repeated attacks. We also call on friends and allies of progressive Arab and
international feminist organizations to act immediately against the illegal attack against our
Palestinian women and for those who represent them and their rights.
Further military attacks on Gaza
The people of Gaza have been subject to a 15 year blockade, imposed by Israel. The blockade
creates untold damage to the economy, controls Gaza’s access to the sea and to electricity and
impedes the movement of people in and out of Gaza. In August, the Israeli military launched what
they called, ‘pre-emptive’ air raids on Gaza. 44 Palestinians were killed and 700 more injured. The
UN special rapporteur on the Occupied Territories said: “Operation Breaking Dawn is a flagrant act of
aggression.”
Women in Black in London stand in solidarity with Palestinian women in the Israeli Occupied
Territories in their struggle for justice, peace, well-being and a secure, prosperous and nonviolent
future for themselves and their children. We stand with Israeli partners too, such as Women in Black
Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, the Coalition of Women for Peace, Machsom Watch and other organizations in
which Jewish and Palestinian Israeli women work together for a peace agreement and sustain contact
with Palestinian women in the West Bank and Gaza. With them, we call for full equality in Israel for
Jewish and non-Jewish citizens alike.
Please copy and send this message to the Prime Minister, 10 Downing Street, London SW1A 2AA
Dear Prime Minister,
with Women in Black I appeal to the British Government to:
Demand that Israel revokes its decision to criminalise human rights and civil society groups. These
groups are essential in documenting human rights abuse and giving voice to the Palestinian people.
Call for an end to the blockade of Gaza
End UK arms sales to Israel. The weapons and military technology that we sell are used to enforce
the illegal occupation of Palestine and contribute to the multiple military attacks that have taken place
regularly since 2008.
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Women in Black hold vigils every Wednesday between 6-7 pm at the Edith Cavell Statue, opposite the door
of the National Portrait Gallery, St.Martin’s Place, London WC2. Our vigils are silent, women-only and if
possible we wear black. We welcome all women who support our call for an end to militarism and war.
Contact us: Twitter @WIB_London FB @womeninblack.london http://london.womeninblack.org/