Orkney Friends of Palestine will be highlighting the plight of the people of Palestine on Saturday, 4th of July, and the current actions of the state of Israel as it threatens to annex major parts of the West Bank and the whole of the Jordan Valley.

Peter Breingan, Chair of OFoP, explained:

“This will be in violation of international laws and numerous UN resolutions and the UN Charter. It would destroy the possibility of a Palestinian state, and create serious unrest amongst Palestinians, as well as further undermining the positive influence of the UN in many other global conflicts.

“Orkney Friends of Palestine (OFoP) profoundly rejects this so-called ‘peace plan’ as do the Palestinians themselves.

“If the annexation goes ahead, in any shape or form, sanctions against Israel must be invoked by the international community including the UK. .

“We do not wish to see the apartheid state expand, we wish it to end.

“Palestine must become free and independent for there to begin normal relations with the state of Israel. The Middle East can then begin to heal after over a century of strife.”

OFoP will hold a silent vigil on Saturday, 4th July, between 11 am and noon on the steps of St Magnus Cathedral Orkney. In keeping with physical distancing the group plan to have no more than 5 people taking part. Similar protests will be taking place across many parts of Scotland and internationally.

OFoP hold events in Orkney and promote the excellent produce that comes from Palestine. The sales go towards projects they are funding to support and help the Palestinian people.

You can read about some of them here:

Olive Farming : Rooted in Time and Tradition

Orkney Woman Gaynor Jones Reflects on Shufat Refugee Camp

L-R Khader Khader, Taysir Arbasi, Palestinian farmers explaining about their olive growing and produce at an event organised by OFoP in 2019