Christians join many thousands in latest National March for Gaza

Some Christian Bloc members on steps of St Martin in the Fields, Trafalgar Square.

Once again, on Holy Saturday, 30 March, the Christian bloc marched alongside hundreds of thousands of people of all faiths and none in the eleventh National March, calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

The Christian bloc have been meeting for prayers outside different churches before earlier marches. This time, campaigners were welcomed into Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church by Rev Dr Simon Woodman who led a short reflection and prayers before they set off.

One prayer, written by Palestinian Christians was: "Eternal God, no words can express the suffering of the people in Gaza. Many of us are in despair. As our hearts, minds and spirits are consumed with the suffering of Gaza we remember the promise that 'never again will they hunger. Never again will they thirst.' Lord help us to continue fighting the good fight, bearing witness to your love and our native land."

Among the Christian marchers was Livia, a paediatrician from Ryegate who told ICN: "As we are talking here - bombs are dropping on children. It is heartbreaking. This is the least we can do." Another campaigner from Eastbourne said she was very concerned that so many young people know so little about the situation in Israel/Palestine. She is now involved in organising Holy Land education events for young people in a local restaurant. Participating groups included representatives from Westminster Justice and Peace, London Catholic Worker, several schools and parishes, some clergy, religious sisters and students.

The Christian Bloc walked behind the Jewish Bloc which included representatives from several Jewish organisations, among them; Na'amond, Jewish Voices for Labour and Jewish Voices for Peace. Hundreds of thousands took part in the march down the Strand to Trafalgar Square, where they heard speeches by The Crown actor Khalid Abdalla, Palestinian ambassador Husam Zomlot, Jeremy Corbyn, Diane Abbott and many more.

Khalid Abdalla, the British-Egyptian actor who played Dodi Fayed in the Netflix series The Crown, said he first attended a pro-Palestinian protest when he was just three - but was now taking his own children with him. He said: "I do not dream of a world in which in 20, let alone 40 years, my children stand here in Trafalgar Square demanding justice for the Palestinians, demanding an end to the occupation. We cannot allow this to continue for another generation."

Abdalle then read Refatt Alareer's poem 'If I must die' ( See actor Brian Cox reading 'If I must die': https://ifimustdie.net/ ) after his speech - … He tweeted afterward: "These words have become an anthem. Refit was only a year older than me when he was killed. "

Palestinian ambassador Husam Zomlot called for sanctions in his address. He said: "If Israel doesn't care about international law, we must make it care about universal values.. by sanctions."

In his speech, Jeremy Corbyn criticised the UK government for continuing the "grisly, ghastly arms trade with Israel." He said: "What we're watching on real time global television is the destruction of life, wanton destruction of life in Gaza.

"And our governments still can't bring themselves to utter the words permanent ceasefire, still can't bring themselves to stop the grisly, ghastly arms trade with Israel and the supply of weapons that goes from factories in France, in Germany, in this country and the USA, which are killing people in Gaza."

Diane Abbott, MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, accused British politicians of "paying lip service" to a ceasefire. She said: "We've heard British politicians talking about a ceasefire, but I would say if you really want a ceasefire now, call for a ceasefire in parliament, vote for it! Vote to end arms sales to Israel, stop bombing Yemen, re-fund UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency) and join in action in the international courts for the prosecution of war crimes.

"That is what British politicians would do if they weren't just paying lip service to a ceasefire."

Over the weekend, demonstrations calling for an end to the genocide in Gaza and the ongoing attacks in the West Bank took place in many towns and cities around the world.

In his Urbi et Orbi Message, Pope Francis appealed for peace and justice in the Holy land. He said: "Today we want, first and foremost, to turn our eyes to the Holy City of Jerusalem, that witnessed the mystery of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus, and to all the Christian communities of the Holy Land.

My thoughts go especially to the victims of the many conflicts worldwide, beginning with those in Israel and Palestine, and in Ukraine. May the risen Christ open a path of peace for the war-torn peoples of those regions.... I appeal once again that access to humanitarian aid be ensured to Gaza, and call once more for the prompt release of the hostages seized on 7 October last and for an immediate cease-fire in the Strip."

For more information about the ongoing campaigns and future demonstrations, see links below.

LINKS

Christians for Palestine UK: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555041637853

Stop the War: www.stopwar.org.uk/

Palestinian Solidarity Campaign: https://palestinecampaign.org/