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The international flotilla of small boats, despite drone attacks, has left Crete and is continuing on its way to Gaza carrying humanitarian aid. The UK has recognised the State of Palestine, and at the United Nations, Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, was left to address an almost empty hall, as delegates left in disgust. Today, Saturday 27 September, between 1 and 2pm, Orkney peace campaigners welcome all those who wish to see an immediate and permanent ceasefire to join with them in vigil on the Kirk Green, Broad Street, Kirkwall. The General Assembly of the United Nations has been meeting in New York. In his opening remarks, Secretary-General of the UN, António Guterres, asked: “What kind of world do we choose to build together?” And he reminded the countries assembled that, ” Peace is our first obligation. Yet today, wars rage with a barbarity we vowed never to allow….Around the world, we see countries acting as if the rules don’t apply to them. We see humans treated as less than human. And we must call it out.” He spoke of Sudan and of Ukraine, before turning to Gaza where “The scale of death and destruction are beyond any other conflict in my years as Secretary-General. He again called for a “Permanent ceasefire now. All the hostages released now. Full humanitarian access now.” More horrors in the Gaza Genocide were taking place even as he spoke those words. Israeli forces have continued with the heavy bombardment of what is left of Gaza City. Mahmoud Abbas, President of the State of Palestine, was unable to attend the UN General Assembly in New York, banned by President Trump from entering the country, but did contribute by video link. He said: “Despite all what our people have suffered, we reject what Hamas carried out on the seventh of October [2023]…We reject confusing the solidarity with the Palestinian cause and the issue of antisemitism, which is something that we reject.” He called for an immediate and permanent end to the war in Gaza, the entry of humanitarian aid, the release of all hostages and prisoners on both sides, the complete withdrawal of the occupation from the Gaza Strip, and the guarantee that residents of Gaza will remain on their lands without displacement. Tom Fletcher, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, highlighted the catastrophic situation of children in Gaza. Speaking on 24 September he said: “They’ve been bombed, maimed, starved, burned alive, buried in the rubble of their homes, separated from their parents. Denied every ounce of humanity that the rules of war were designed to preserve. Killed while sleeping, playing, queuing for food and water, seeking medical care.” On 17 September, 77 patients, along with 107 companions, were medically evacuated out of Gaza. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 15,600 patients who are severely ill or injured and need lifesaving, specialized care unavailable in Gaza are currently awaiting evacuation. For some it came too late : “Palestinian child Hanaa Al-Awady from Gaza has passed away in a hospital in Italy after suffering for months as the occupation continued to delay her evacuation. She suffered for months with brain cancer and cerebral atrophy in a concentration camp with no medicine. She was finally evacuated but it was too late.” Speaking from the Global Sumud Flotilla, as it proceeded on the final leg of its journey to break the siege on Gaza, Greta Thunberg said: “I’m not scared of Israel. I’m scared of a world that has seemingly lost all sense of humanity.” Every Saturday since the end of October 2023, islanders in Orkney have met on the Kirk Green, often joined by visitors on holiday. They are calling for an immediate ceasefire, the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid, and the release of all hostages. The Orkney News has been documenting the vigils. They are unprecedented in the history of Orkney. These short films and our articles are viewed, in Orkney, internationally, and more importantly by Palestinians. “No matter how much our wounds bleed, and no matter how long this suffering lasts, it will not break our will to live and survive. The dawn of freedom will emerge, and the flag of Palestine will fly high in our skies.” – Mahmoud Abbas, President of the State of Palestine. Fiona Grahame
