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May 2021

Last Updated: 15/05/2021

Politics

Silent vigil in Harrogate for victims of Israeli/Palestinian conflict

by Suzannah Rogerson

| 15 May, 2021

Protesters travelled from further out in the district today to take a "stand up for the oppressed" in Harrogate. The organisers hope more people will join them in raising awareness.

Around 30 protesters stood for a silent vigil at Harrogate War Memorial today with placards that said 'Palestine needs our help'.

The protest was organised by Harrogate and District Green Party and the Campaign for the Accountability of American Bases.

Organisers said the aim was to show they stood for peace and justice for Palestinians and campaign for an end to conflict.

The escalation of fighting between Israelis and Palestinians in recent days has brought worldwide attention.

Tensions are often high between Israel and Palestinians living in East Jerusalem, Gaza and the West Bank. But as the deaths, on both sides, increase people in the Harrogate district are taking a stand.

Current reports have recorded at least 139 Palestinians, including 39 children, have been killed in the Gaza Strip since Monday. About 950 others have been wounded. Nine people in Israel have been killed.

One of the protesters, Darius Samadian, said:

"I think it's so important to talk about what is happening in Palestine. We need to show support. I don't think people properly know what is happening, these are just normal people getting hurt. We want to stand up for the oppressed and people without a voice.

"Peace is not one side or the other it's both sides coming together. We need to work for one side coming together.

The 30 people stood on the grassy verge at the front of the war memorial for around an hour today.

They stood in silence holding numerous placards calling for peace. People read poems they had written about the conflict and gave speeches about what they believe the next steps need to be.

Knaresborough flowerbed marks the 100th anniversary of the Royal British Legion today

Protest takes place at Menwith Hill

Shan Oakes, local green party co-ordinator, said:

"When something as dreadful as this is happening in the world, we need to do something about it. We can all do something, write to our MPs and come out here and show we care. There's a saying 'evil prevails when good people do nothing' - people may feel like they can't do anything by they can.

"Just generally giving solidarity with all the people in the Middle East in this struggle. There are things we can do."

Lindis Percy, co-Founder of the Campaign for the Accountabity of American Bases, said:

"I think it's really important that we actually speak out. There are a lot of people that feel desperately about this situation and don't know what to do. It's been going on for years but I think it's very very serious now. It's terrible some of the stories coming out and we just want peace."

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Silent vigil in Harrogate for victims of Israeli/Palestinian conflict

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