Orkney Amnesty International and Orkney Friends of Palestine have issued a joint statement on why they will hold another ceasefire vigil for Gaza this Saturday, 25 January between 1 and 2 pm.
At least one more Gaza ceasefire vigil will be held in front of St Magnus Cathedral after last Saturday’s gathering agreed that the fragile nature of the ceasefire meant they should come together again this weekend.
Hundreds of folk have been involved in the vigils since October 2023, with visitors from elsewhere in the UK and further afield often joining locals in the centre of Kirkwall for an hour between 1pm and 2pm every Saturday. They have made a colourful and poignant impact, with Palestinian flags, posters calling for an end to the genocide – as Israel’s actions have been termed by Amnesty International and others – and memorials to individuals, including their name, age and profession displayed on the Kirk Green each week.
And just this weekend, Nadia Heath of Amnesty International in Orkney, who have led the vigils along with members of Orkney Friends of Palestine (OFoP), had a message of thanks from Dr Salim Anati, who at one time was the only UN doctor in Shu’fat Refugee Camp in East Jerusalem. This is the camp with which Gaynor Jones of OFoP has strong links, having stayed and volunteered there eight years ago.
Dr Salim visited Orkney in September 2023 with a delegation from Shu’fat Camp, raising awareness of the terrible conditions that folk there endure.
In his message to Nadia on Sunday, he said:
“I want to give my thanks to you and to all supporters who spent and gave their time in weekly meetings. I wish all health and love and to continue their support in other ways till we have our freedom. People of Shu’fat thanks everyone also.”
Nadia Heath said:
“Messages like this over the months we have been gathering show that our solidarity with those in Palestine has been appreciated by folk on the ground there. Those gathering last Saturday shared the immense relief expressed by Palestinians at the ceasefire agreement that, as long as it holds, will stop the immediate catastrophic loss of life caused by Israel’s genocide in the Gaza Strip.
“However, the violence must end now. On Wednesday – the very day that the ceasefire was announced – the IDF killed more than 80 Palestinians, 30 of them after the announcement. Many more were killed in the days between the announcement and the ceasefire coming into effect. Indeed, there were reports of Israeli strikes killing 19 civilians in Gaza in the three-hour delay on Sunday morning. This reinforces the view we took on Saturday to gather at least one more time this coming Saturday, due to the fragility of the situation.”
While one of the key aims of those holding the vigils each Saturday for 15 months has been to see a ceasefire in place, there is much work still to be done. This will include an immediate and complete lifting of Israel’s siege on Gaza to allow the unhindered access of humanitarian aid, including food and medical supplies.
Nadia added:
“We are adamant that the agreement must not be a pause, in which Palestinians in Gaza are afforded only a few moments respite before the genocide resumes. During discussions at the end of Saturday’s vigil, views were expressed that this must lead to a total withdrawal of all occupying Israeli forces and a complete end to all Israeli attacks.
“It was agreed that all those illegally detained, including many of the over 10,000 Palestinians held in Israeli detention, and the Israeli hostages held in Gaza should be freed.”
Israel’s 15 month long genocide has killed many tens of thousands of Palestinians. Armed and backed by Britain, Israel’s assault has caused an almost incalculable level of devastation and loss. It has displaced almost all of Gaza’s residents, most multiple times, annihilated much of Gaza’s infrastructure and left the entire population facing famine.
Bryan Milner of OFoP added:
“It was also pointed out on Saturday, as we discussed future action, that there will be no ceasefire in the occupied West Bank, where Israel’s military oppression and illegal settlement will no doubt continue. In this moment of hope, we need to see an end to the system of oppression which gave rise to this genocide.
“This will not happen without ongoing international pressure. For more than 15 months, alongside millions around the world, we have demanded a ceasefire and an end to Israel’s atrocities in Gaza. We must now redouble our efforts to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian liberation struggle.
“There is a serious risk that any medium-to-long term arrangement that is implemented by Israel, doubtless supported by the USA with Trump as president, will fail to recognise the rights of Palestinians, in the West Bank and in Israel itself as well as in Gaza, just as they have for many decades. So there is a need to decide what actions we can take to campaign as effectively as possible on behalf of Palestinians in addition to continuing to provide humanitarian support. There will be an opportunity to discuss these important matters at the OFoP AGM, which is to be held at 11am on Saturday February 22nd in Room 1 of the St Magnus Centre.”
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