A world at war needs your gift of peace.
This year, global military spending rose to $2.2 trillion for the first time, the equivalent of $272 per person.
The war on Gaza is costing Israel millions every day and the human cost to the people of Gaza and Israel is immeasurable. The USA and the UK are both engaged in arms sales to Israel. War continues in Ukraine and Russia. Russia is reported to be increasing its 2024 military budget to around US$140 billion and the US has provided US$ billions of military aid to Ukraine. War and weapons will not bring sustainable peace to Israel and Palestine nor to Ukraine and Russia.
How can we give peace a chance this Christmas?
Give a donation to a peace or humanitarian organisation
MSF (www.msf.org.uk) works in Ukraine, Afghanistan, Syria, Gaza, Palestine, Yemen, Congo, Sudan, and many other countries: Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders is an independent international medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid in more than 70 countries to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural or man-made disasters or exclusion from healthcare.
Medical Aid for Palestinians (www.map.org.uk/) MAP’s permanent team in Gaza were the first to respond to the current emergency by releasing more than US$570,000 worth of pre-positioned stocks of drugs, medical disposables, and other humanitarian supplies held in our warehouses to hospitals and shelters.
MEDACT (www.medact.org) Medact speaks out for countless people across the globe whose health, well-being and access to proper health care are at risk from war, poverty and environmental damage.
Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (www.wilpf.org.uk/) WILPF is an international Non Governmental Organization with sections in 40 countries as well as offices in Geneva and New York based at the United Nations. Since 1915, WILPF has brought women from across the world together to share a vision of peace by nonviolent means, promoting justice for all. WILPF UK members work to offer a feminist perspective to building peace. They lobby and challenge government, explore root causes of conflict and mobilise women in preventing war and building peace.
And make a New Year resolution: get organised! Join the Campaign Against Arms Trade (www.caat.org.uk) The global arms trade, and the UK role within it, has a devastating impact on human rights and well-being. It reinforces a militaristic approach to international problems. Work with CAAT to end UK arms manufacture and export.
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/
Donations for leaflets most welcome