In July 2014, Israeli land, sea and air forces began a sustained and devastating assault on Gaza, terrorising the Palestinian population of 1.8 million for 51 days until, eventually, more than 2,000 Palestinians had been killed and much of Gaza reduced to rubble.
The horror of those days must never be forgotten. Entire families were wiped out, and more than 500 children and babies were killed, at an average of ten a day, not including those still unborn in their mothers’ wombs.
Mosques, hospitals, schools, whole neighbourhoods were destroyed, and Palestinians were killed even as they tried to take shelter in UN facilities.
This terror was unleashed on a population living under Israeli occupation and siege, already denied adequate access to the basics of life, such as water, fuel and medicine.
Read our End the siege on Gaza leaflet.
In the 11 months since a ceasefire agreement was signed between Israel and the Palestinians, Israel has continued to attack Gaza and refuses to allow in the building materials needed to reconstruct its infrastructure, including the tens of thousands of homes which were destroyed. Palestinian families continue to live among the rubble of their houses, without electricity or running water. Aid agencies report that malnutrition is spreading. Read latest UN briefing>
On Friday 10th July, 2015, we invite you to join in a vigil to remember the Palestinians killed in Israel’s massacre last summer.
Where: Richmond Terrace (opposite Downing Street), Whitehall, London
Time: 5.30pm to 7.30pm
Please bring flowers to remember the dead.
We will be reading out the names of the children killed last year, and inviting you to lay your flowers in remembrance of all killed.
If you wish, you can also write messages to lay down, including the names and ages of some of those killed.
This website lists the names and ages of Palestinians killed between July 8th and August 26th, during Israel’s assault, and those who died in the following months from their wounds: http://www.imemc.org/article/68429
Read our End the siege on Gaza leaflet.