More than 250 local people attended a Vigil for Gaza in Southampton on Tuesday night, on the day that the United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guterres called for a ‘humanitarian ceasefire’ (October 25). More than 5000 Palestinian civilians, including more than 2000 children have been killed in Gaza. Half of Gaza’s population are children under 18. A further vigil is set to be held in the city on Tuesday, October 31st.
Outside Southampton’s Civic Centre, Palestinian flags waved. Placards calling for an end to the violence and a free Palestine were held aloft.
It was the third vigil organised by Southampton PSC, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, this time in partnership with the local Stop the War Coalition group, and by far the largest.
Organisers were hoping for around a hundred people to attend, and were enthused by the turnout. With the main road full of rush our traffic, there was also a lot of support from passing motorists, hooting horns and calling out. The crowd responded with cheers and chants of “Free Palestine”.
During the day leading up to the vigil, it was clear that the public mood was beginning to change, with pressure on political leaders, and opposition on social media and elsewhere. While acknowledging that Israel has a right to defend itself, there was increasing concern for Gaza’s civilian population. The effects of withholding necessary humanitarian aid and fuel, and the scale of destruction, death and injury within what has been termed the ‘world’s largest open prison’ (UN) have become more apparent.
Speakers at the vigil were in tune with the Guterres, who had identified “clear violations of international law”. A local barrister told the crowd that Israel was in breach of Article 33 of the United Nations convention on Human Rights – which outlaws collective punishment, and Article 43 – which outlaws the indiscriminate targeting of civilian populations.
“That is unacceptable,” he said, before going on to condemn Israel’s demand that a million people leave north Gaza or be identified as Hamas combatants.
It was noted that 35 UN employees from the refugee relief programme UNWRA had already been killed in Gaza, and a large number of UN facilities such as school had been destroyed.
Speakers outlined a number of things that people could do:
- Attend vigils and demonstrations to show support for the people of Gaza and build solidarity to ensure that leaders know the level of concern and need for a long term solution.
- Keep yourself informed about the situation and the information from PSC and others.
- Write to your MP and make sure they know your views.
- Keep supporting and donating to organisations providing practical and humanitarian support to Gaza.
The crowd at the vigil included students, ex-city councillors, members of the Jewish Socialist Group and a number of political parties and community groups including the Tenants Union.
- Southampton PSC will be holding a further vigil in Southampton outside the Civic Centre on Tuesday, October 31st, from 530pm to 630pm – for more information: https://www.facebook.com/southamptonpsc
Photos by Charlie Hislop
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