Pupils on strike – 24 November 2023
HUNDREDS of pupils in the UK have taken part in school strikes, urging the Government to demand a ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Schoolchildren in London, Bristol, Manchester, Glasgow and other towns and cities skipped lessons to urge an end to the fighting in Gaza. The marches were part of the National School Strike for Palestine, which was coordinated by campaign group Stop the War Coalition. The organisers said that during the conflict more than 3,000 children have lost their lives in the Palestinian territory.
In Bristol, where demonstrations first took place more than three weeks ago, pupils delivered a petition calling for a ceasefire to representatives of the local council. In Tower Hamlets, London, students marched to the offices of Rushanara Ali. The Labour MP had abstained (didn’t take part) from a vote in Parliament calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. The vote was defeated, although 56 Labour MPs defied their party’s leader to call for a ceasefire.
On 7 October, more than 1,200 men, women and children were killed in an attack on Israel by Hamas, and around 240 people were taken hostage, prompting Israel’s retaliation. Demonstrations have also been taking place in Israel, with the families of the hostages pleading for their safe return.
To secure the release of the hostages, the Israeli military has directed attacks at Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza. The army released footage that it says shows a tunnel running under the hospital, claiming Hamas had a command centre there. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said his first goal of the war is to destroy Hamas, followed by returning the hostages and stopping the threat from Gaza.
Published Friday 24 November 2023
Picture credit: Getty
