News / St Werburghs
Families pay tribute to ‘every life’ affected in Israel-Hamas war
There were moving scenes in St Werburgh’s on Thursday evening as dozens of families wrapped up warm and came together for a peace vigil.
People young and old lit candles, sang songs and held a minute’s silence for all those affected in the ongoing war in Israel and Palestine.
As the smell of incense wafted through the air in Mina Road Park, some chose to read poems and scripture while others spoke of their family and friends embroiled in the fighting.
is needed now More than ever
One was Miri Katz-Mitchell, an an Israeli-Jewish set decorator, who fought back the tears as she called for “every life” in the conflict to be “valued equally”.
Organisers said the vigil’s aim was to “call for an end to the genocide, an urgent ceasefire and for the release of all hostages”.
A candlelit vigil took place in a park to call for a ceasefire in Israel
Another speaker was Lekaa, who did not give her surname, a British Palestinian citizen who spoke of the reality of living in under siege and bombardment in Gaza.
“I call friends and family in Gaza whenever I can and each story they tell me is worse than the other,” she told crowds.
“When I see the children here I don’t feel like I can speak because if people hear this they are not children anymore. Children in Gaza are not children. If children lost their families trying to find them under the rubble, it’s not right.
“Some women are taking contraceptive because they don’t want to get their period as they are no period pads. It’s horrible what’s going on.
“No electricity, no water. People are going to the sea to drink. My sister told me she doesn’t like going outside as there are bodies and sewage everywhere.
“To talk about peace in this situation, it doesn’t work. You have justice first, then you have peace.
Katz-Mitchell said: “We must never forget the people behind the statistics, whether it’s a Palestinian or an Israeli, a Jew or an Arab.”
“This is not a zero sum game. We can simultaneously grieve and mourn the loss of Jewish life and weep for the terrible deaths of Palestinian children and families.
“We can be opposed to the occupation and bombing of Gaza and publicly condemn Hamas’s actions.
“We can demand the release of all the hostages taken on October 7 and call for a total and urgent ceasefire to protect and preserve Palestinian lives.
“In fact, it’s crucial that we call for all of these things together. A path to peace depends on it.”
A recording of Carnegie-longlisted author for children and teens Mimi Thebo speaking about the role of the young in the conflict in a piece of writing called ‘the helpers’ was also played .
“It would be lovely to think we could shield our children from all the trouble in the world,” she said. “But I don’t think it’s possible… and may not even be desirable. This is their world, too. And it’s worse, somehow, knowing something is wrong than it is knowing what is wrong.
“What we need for our children is to be able to point out the helpers, and also show them how to become the helpers themselves.”
Speaking about the vigil’s aim, organisers said: “At this time of year, as our children eagerly await the holidays, the harsh reality confronting the people of Gaza is etched in our hearts.
“While many families in Bristol prepare to celebrate, our thoughts and empathy extend to families in Gaza grappling with survival amid bombardment, displacement, hunger, and disease.
“In a season synonymous with peace and compassion, our assembly is a poignant call for an end to the genocide, an urgent ceasefire and for the release of all hostages.
“Our shared goal as a collective of local parents is to forge understanding, ignite collective action, and to stand unwaveringly in solidarity with all those deeply affected by the conflict in the region.”
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All photos & video: Betty Woolerton
Read next:
- Posters of people kidnapped from Israel appear in Bristol
- More than 1000 artists stop working with Arnolfini following Palestinian ‘censorship’
- Hundreds of pro-Palestine supporters march through Bristol
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