“It is a man-made disaster, a moral indictment – and a failure of humanity itself. – UN Secretary-General António Guterres 

And he continued:

“As the occupying power, Israel has unequivocal obligations under international law – including the duty of ensuring food and medical supplies of the population.” 

“Israel’s denial of its duties could not be allowed to continue.

“No more excuses. The time for action is not tomorrow – it is now.”

Peace campaigners in Orkney will be coming together today, Saturday 23 August, in vigil on the Kirk Green, Broad Street, Kirkwall, between 1 and 2pm. They are calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid, and the release of all hostages.

It is a Famine, in what before the Israeli bombardment, was a fertile land.

UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher said:

“Food stacks up at borders because of systematic obstruction by Israel. It is a famine within a few hundred metres of food, in a fertile land.

“It is a famine that we repeatedly warned of – but that the international media has not been allowed in to cover, to bear witness.

“It is a famine in 2025. A 21st century famine watched over by drones and the most advanced military technology in history. It is a famine openly promoted by some Israeli leaders as a weapon of war.”

The Orkney Peace campaigners welcome anyone who share in their hopes for the end to the Gaza Genocide to join with them on the Kirk Green today.

The Orkney News has covered the vigils since they started at the end of October 2023 and have a series of filmed interviews on our YouTube channel about why the people attending them continue to do so.

This is the latest one:

Fiona Grahame