The film Palestine 36 is showing at the Phoenix Cinema, Pickaquoy Centre, Kirkwall on two dates, Tuesday 13 January at 1pm and Thursday 15 January at 7.30pm. It is rated 12A.

In 1936, as Palestinian villages revolt against British colonial rule, Yusuf navigates between Jerusalem and his rural home, amidst escalating unrest and a pivotal moment for the British Empire.

Epic historical drama written and directed by Annemarie Jacir, starring Jeremy Irons, Robert Aramayo, Hiam Abbass and Liam Cunningham.

Today, Saturday 10 January, between 1 and 2pm, people will be meeting in Vigil for Gaza on the Kirk Green, Broad Street, Kirkwall.

Meanwhile, despite the restrictions being imposed on it by Israel some international aid is getting into Gaza. It is a trickle compared to what is needed as temperatures continue to drop. Shelter is desperately needed.

In the West Bank, Israel has continued to demolish the homes of Palestinians to clear the way for illegal settlers. In the past two weeks alone 50 such demolitions have taken place.

Israeli authorities forcibly evicted two Palestinian families from their homes in Batn al Hawa area of Silwan, in East Jerusalem, which were taken over by an Israeli settler organization. 

OCHA reports that evictions and demolitions continue to cause  grave physical, social, economic and emotional impact on Palestinian families. 

Some of the items distributed in Gaza recently include:

•  7,000 dignity kits
• 5,600 dignified family hygiene kits
•  1.3 million bars of soap 
• 3,300 tents
• 8,700 tarpaulins
• 300 sealing-off kits to weatherproof makeshifts shelters
• 700 kits to stabilize and reinforce makeshift shelters
• 7,000 blankets
• 3,900 mattresses
• 1,000 bedding kits
• 2,500 kitchen sets
• 880 households received clothing assistance
• 36 partners are distributing daily more than 21,500 cubic metres of drinking water and over 10,000 cubic metres of domestic water to 2,350 water collection points.

Here’s a review of the 2025 Vigils:

Fiona Grahame