Islanders set to join together in a "plea for humanity"

Friday 20 October 2023

Islanders are due to gather in Broad Street tomorrow in what organisers described as a "plea for humanity", calling for a peaceful end to the conflict in Israel and Palestine.

Violence has erupted in the region following a Hamas attack on Israel this month, which killed more than 1,400 Israelis, with more than 100 kidnapped.

Meanwhile, 3,700 people have been killed in Gaza and thousands more have fled their homes as Israel launches retaliatory strikes.

'A Plea for Humanity’ – taking place at midday on Saturday 21 October – is expected to involve a speech by a Palestinian journalist from Gaza, and statements from Israeli and Jewish peace activists.

Writing ahead of the event, organisers said: "In light of the rapidly deteriorating situation in Palestine and Israel, islanders will be coming together to make a resounding call to our government and the international community to call for an immediate ceasefire, to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza and to work towards an honest and lasting, just peace.

"The aim of the event is to mourn all the innocent lives that have been lost, to understand the context within which Palestinians and Israelis have been existing in, and what routes might be taken to achieve an honest and just peace for all involved."

We have the honour of @YousefAlhelou from Gaza speaking at our action.

Please support if you can ???????? @LiberateJersey @JEPnews @bailiwickxpress @ITVChannelTV pic.twitter.com/u4g8rUkm7q

— Jersey PSC (@JerseyPSC) October 19, 2023

Yesterday, Jersey’s religious leaders and the Chief Minister issued a joint statement saying they "continue to remember all those who suffer in the current conflict" in the Middle East.

The Dean of Jersey, the Very Reverend Mike Keirle; Stephen Regal, who is President of the Jersey Jewish Congregation; leader of Jersey's Muslim community Dr Sarfraz Jamali and Chief Minister Kristina Moore met on Thursday morning in response to ongoing events.

Following their meeting, they confirmed "the commitment of all communities in Jersey to peace".

This morning I met the Dean, the President of the Jersey Jewish Congregation and the leader of Jersey’s Muslim community. We had warm discussions and confirmed the commitment of all communities in Jersey to peace.

We have issued a joint statement - https://t.co/ncK0UjTgCv pic.twitter.com/0TUmwBry7m

— Chief Minister of Jersey (@ChiefMinJSY) October 19, 2023

In a joint statement, the leaders wrote: “Today we are here to gather together in unanimity and harmony, hopefully to in some small way contribute to and influence future events, preserve the sanctity of life and support humanity.

"We need to reflect and each of us pray that the Jersey way is co-operation, not confrontation.

"We can thus demonstrate that faith leaders can be influenced by the divinity that connects us, not by the politics that might divide us.

"We continue to remember all those who suffer in the current conflict."