March 23rd - Protest for Palestine outside the Atkinson in Southport - Speech for Ramadan and Lent

Written By Beth Gentle
Protest for Palestine outside the Atkinson in Southport - March 23rd 2024

Protest for Palestine outside the Atkinson in Southport - March 23rd 2024

Some words were shared at the end of the protest:

It is a cruel irony that during this time of fasting in Ramadan and Lent, the people of Gaza are starving.

Aid groups have warned that famine in Northern Gaza is imminent with people there suffering catastrophic levels of hunger.

I read this week in a report by Reuters, about six-year-old Fadi al-Zant. He is acutely malnourished, his ribs protrude under leathery skin, and his eyes are sunken as he lies in bed at the Kamal Adwan hospital in northern Gaza, where famine is bearing down. Fadi's little legs can no longer support him enough to walk.

Photographs of Fadi from before the conflict show a smiling, healthy-looking child, standing in blue denims next to his taller twin with his hair brushed. A short video clip shows him dancing at a wedding with a little girl.

In better times, Fadi's favourite food was chicken shawarma, a Levantine grill dish, his mother said, and he ate a lot of fruit and drank a lot of milk.

Before the conflict, Fadi weighed 30kg. Now he weighs just 12kg, his mother said.

The IPC (a group of UN agencies, NGO’s and governments who assess the risks of food shortages  globally) conducted an analysis in December warning that famine may occur by the end of May 2024 if an immediate cessation of hostilities and sustained access to essential supplies did not take place. Since then, the conditions necessary to prevent a famine have not been met and the latest evidence confirms that famine is imminent in Northern Gaza and could occur anytime between mid-March, now, and May 2024.

 “Children in Gaza are starving to death. They are cut off from food, even crumbs are not easy to find”.

A little girl wept in front of the BBC’s camera, crying,

“I miss bread”.

To date there have been 27 reported deaths of children due to malnutrition and dehydration in Gaza (according to the Gazan Health Ministry). The true death toll from starvation is likely to be significantly higher and is set to rise. Children in Gaza can no longer wait as each passing minute risks another child dying of hunger as the world looks on.

Words from ohchr.org

According to Oxfam, Israel is using bureaucracy to “deliberately” hinder aid supplies headed into Gaza.  Israel controls most of Gaza’s seven land crossings but only Rafah and Karem Abu Salem/Kerem Shalom crossings are open to aid, Oxfam have said.

In finishing I would like to share some words from Mosab Abu Toha, a poet from Gaza …

“Ramadan 2024 in Gaza. There is no moon in the sky. Only planes dropping either bombs or aid on the bodies of my people”

In a minute we shall leave and go about our daily living.  Last time I stood here I suggested to you to write to your MP Damien Moore, telling him your views and asking him to support a ceasefire. If you didn’t, please do so, it is not too late.

Email templates to send to your local MP, all you have to do is enter your details; here and here.

And I suggest you consider showing your opposition to Israel’s refusal to allow enough food and humanitarian aid into Gaza for the innocents caught up in this conflict by refusing to buy Israeli produce. Avoid Israeli dates when you break your fast, avoid the avocados, so tasty at this time of year. And if you can, buy Palestinian – delicious olive oil and dates - all the better.

We will keep coming here, we will stand with Gaza demanding a ceasefire until the bombing stops and we will next gather on Saturday April 6th 12pm – 1pm.

Thank you all for coming.

 

We were thrilled to see more in attendance last week, hope to see more you next time!

Next Event: April 6th 2024, 12pm - 1pm
Location: Outside the Atkinson Theatre on Lord Street in Southport

Bring flags and banners! Ceasefire Now!

Sources;

Beth Gentle
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Ceasefire Now! Protest for Palestine outside the Atkinson Theatre in Southport - April 6th
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Protest for Palestine outside the Atkinson in Southport - March 9th 2024