Today, 19 July, islanders in Orkney will again stand in vigil for the People of Gaza. The vigil is held from 1 to 2pm on the Kirk Green, Broad Street, Kirkwall, and calls for an immediate ceasefire, the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid, and the releases of all hostages.
Yesterday, 18 July, was Nelson Mandela day, and this quote from a man once called a terrorist by UK Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, sums up why those attending the vigil continue to do so.
“Our common humanity transcends the oceans and all national boundaries. It binds us together to unite in a common cause against tyranny, to act together in defence of our very humanity. Let it never be asked of anyone of us – what did we do when we knew that another was oppressed!” – Nelson Mandela.
The war crimes being perpetrated on the Gaza civilian population by the apartheid state of Israel is the systematic annihilation of a people and its culture. It is a Genocide.
Hind Rajab and her family were fleeing Gaza City on 29 January 2024 when their vehicle was shelled, killing her uncle, aunt and three cousins. From inside the car the little 6 year old girl and her 15 year old cousin phoned the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) to ask for help. They said they were still under attack from an Israeli tank.
“They are shooting at us. The tank is right next to me. We’re in the car, the tank is right next to us.”
The cousin was killed and Rajab was left stranded alone in the vehicle for 3 hours on the phone, as paramedics from PRCS attempted to rescue her.
“I’m so scared, please come. Come take me. Please, will you come?”
Eventually the Israeli forces gave permission and safe passage to the paramedics to go in and rescue Hind Rajab.
12 days later, on 10 February, the car, riddled with bullets, and everyone inside dead was discovered. The Red Crescent ambulance was found a few feet away, completely destroyed with two ambulance workers, Yusuf al-Zeino and Ahmed al-Madhoun, also killed.
The car was riddled with 335 bullet holes. The tank operators would have had a clear view of who was in the car. The Israeli soldier reportedly responsible for the killing of six-year-old Hind Rajab has been identified as Beni Aharon, commander of Israel’s 401st Armored Brigade.
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell’s spoke about the humanitarian situation for children in Gaza at the UN Security Council meeting, 16 July 2025.
She said:
“Over the past 21 months of war, more than 17,000 children have reportedly been killed and 33,000 injured in Gaza. An average of 28 children have been killed each day – the equivalent of an entire classroom. Consider that for a moment. A whole classroom of children killed, every day for nearly two years.
“These children are not combatants. They are being killed and maimed as they line up for lifesaving food and medicine.”
And she continued:
“Between May 27th and July 7th, the UN Human Rights Office recorded the killings of 798 Palestinian civilians – including children – desperate to find food, at or near distribution sites and humanitarian convoys.
“At the same time, the situation in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, has significantly deteriorated. Since the start of the year, 33 Palestinian children have been killed in militarized operations and settler attacks. More than 32,000 people have been forcibly displaced, while the demolition of homes and roads, and the use of explosive weapons in populated areas continue.
“In addition, the number of Palestinian children from the West Bank in detention for alleged security-related offences has reached its highest level in seven years. This includes 120 children detained without charge or trial, under administrative detention orders.”
And addressing the members of the Security Council directly she said:
“Excellencies, the simple truth is that we are failing Gaza’s children. Seen through their eyes, our failure is a betrayal of their right to be children. Children who are healthy, safe, and educated.
“History will judge this failure harshly. And the children will judge it too. Children in Gaza, like children all over the world, deserve peace. Our job is to give children the future they deserve. We simply must do better.”
The organisers of the Orkney Peace Vigil invite all those who wish to stand with them to join them on the Kirk Green, Kirkwall on Saturday 19 July between 1 and 2pm.
Fiona Grahame
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