It is now 2 years since 5 year old Hind Rajab was murdered. Hind and members of her family were fleeing Gaza City in their car when it was shelled by an Israeli tank. Hind’s aunt, uncle and three cousins were killed but she was still alive in the wreck of the vehicle along with another cousin.

The two girls phoned the Palestine Red Crescent Society for help. Whilst making the call little Hind’s cousin was killed. The little girl stayed on the phone pleading for help. Two paramedics who went out to rescue her were also murdered – their bodies and that of Hind were eventually found on 10 February 2024.

The car Hind had been travelling in had been strafed 335 times.

On Saturday, 31 January, islanders in Orkney will again meet in Vigil on the Kirk Green, Broad Street, Kirkwall between 1 and 2pm to remember Hind and the over 71,000 civilians killed since the end of October 2023 in Gaza. In some cases several generations of families have been wiped out. Anyone who wishes to join in the vigil which stands for Peace is invited to do so.

Orkney’s Phoenix Cinema will be screening two additional showings of Palestine 36 Tuesday 3 February: 1430  and Friday 6 February: 1630 (Subtitled) due to the success of the two previous showings in January.

A powerful film of the murder of Hind Rajab, “The Voice of Hind Rajab” will be showing in cinemas across Scotland. Directed by Kaouther Ben Hania, Starring Saja Kilani. Motaz Malhees, Amer Hlehel. and Clara Khoury.

The islanders in Orkney meet every Saturday between 1 and 2pm on the Kirk Green. The Orkney News has documented the vigils. Here is the latest:

Fiona Grahame