Life for Palestinians in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza has become ever more violent in 2023. There is political turmoil in Israel as assaults are made on democracy, the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary. Almost daily we read of Israeli settler and Israeli Defence Force violence towards Palestinian communities, and young people in particular.
During an Israeli military assault on Jenin in July, 12 Palestinians were killed and hundreds were seriously injured. The number of Palestinians killed in the West Bank and Israel by Israeli forces so far in 2023 (167) surpassed the total number of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in all of 2022 (155). (United Nations Office for Humanitarian Affairs www.ochaopt.org/updates) Demolition of Palestinian homes and commercial buildings continues and children are arrested, held in detention without trial.
This month, the Bedouin community of al-Qabun, located near Ramallah, made up of 12 families, have been forced to abandon their homes, farms and move livestock because illegal settlers have terrorised them by day and night. This is one story among many, illustrating the violence of the illegal occupation of Palestine. (B’Tselem – The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights www.btselem.org/ota)
Women in Black in London stand in solidarity with Palestinian women in the 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.
To the Prime Minister, 10 Downing Street, London SW1A 2AA
Dear Prime Minister: As life for Palestinians in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza deteriorates, I appeal to the British Government to use all means in its power to influence the Israeli Government to redirect its policies towards ending the illegal occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza and upholding the rights of Palestinians in Israel.
This must include:
Seeking justice and accountability for Palestinians, and action over forced evictions, displacement, settler violence and ethnic cleansing.
The recognition of Palestine as an independent state.
An end to the arms trade between the UK and Israel.
We are concerned that at least two Israeli defence companies, Elbit and Israeli Aerospace Industries, have been invited to exhibit their ‘combat proven’ systems at the DESI arms fair in September. The weapons and military technology that we buy and sell are used to enforce the illegal occupation of Palestine.
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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. August/September 2023.
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