News from Pax Christi

Israel and Gaza: Ceasefire Now
“The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it…… Through violence you murder the hater, but you do not murder hate. In fact, violence merely increases hate… Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars” Martin Luther King Jr
It is now a month since the horrific attack by Hamas on Israeli communities close to the border with Gaza and all of us will have been deeply distressed by the escalation of violence and suffering that has followed.
We have endorsed a number of statements calling on the UK Government to act and we can only reiterate our call as a Pax Christi movement internationally for an immediate ceasefire, the access of humanitarian aid to Gaza and the release of all hostages. You can read a full statement from Pax Christi International here:
paxchristi.net/2023/10/18/statement-on-international-humanitarian-law-violations-in-the-holy-land/

To read updates from our partners in Palestine and Israel, further statements from church leaders and details of action you can take please see our website page on Palestine and Israel paxchristi.org.uk/campaigns/israel-and-palestine/

 
Urgent action needed on violence in the West Bank
EAPPI UK & Ireland is reporting that violence in the West Bank has increased significantly since the 7th October with UN experts warning of the risk of genocide of the Palestinian people and further mass displacement. Nearly 1,000 Palestinians from at least 15 different communities have been forced to leave their homes due to settler violence and movement restrictions imposed by Israeli forces and settlers. They are recommending urgent action and you can find the details here: www.eyewitnessblogs.com/take-action/
National March for Palestine – Ceasefire Now
Saturday 11 November, 12 noon – 4pm, Hyde Park, London
We will be joining the national ‘March for Palestine’ in London this Saturday to add our voice to demands for a ceasefire in Gaza and a just peace between Israel and Palestine.

The final details for the event are still being worked out but for anyone wanting to join us we are proposing meeting at 11.30am at the Animals in War Memorial which is at Brook Gate, Hyde Park, Park Lane.

Please not some tube lines are closed for part of Saturday 11th – see https://londonist.com/london/tfl-to-close-tube-lines-next-weekend

Given that things may change please let us know if you are coming and let us have your mobile/WhatsApp details and we will try to keep in touch. Please also check our website, Facebook Page and Twitter/X feed for updates.

Please note that some tube lines are closed for part of Saturday 11th – see londonist.com/london/tfl-to-close-tube-lines-next-weekend

 
The march is being organised by: Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Friends of Al-Aqsa, Stop the War Coalition, Muslim Association of Britain, Palestinian Forum in Britain and the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.
 
 
Remembrance Events
This coming Sunday is Remembrance Sunday and there will be events of remembrance around the country over the whole weekend. For details of events that may be taking place in your area, see the Peace Pledge Union website here www.ppu.org.uk/events

The National Alternative Remembrance Ceremony takes place in Tavistock Square, London from 12.00pm to 1.00pm on Sunday and will focus on Palestine and Israel. One of our Vice Presidents, Pat Gaffney, will be speaking and you can find more detail here tinyurl.com/5xrx48fh

 
 
Peace Sunday -14th January 2024 – Resources Coming Soon

In August, Pope Francis announced that his theme for next year’s World Peace Day will be ‘Artificial Intelligence and Peace’.

We are compiling resources for parishes and supporters to help mark the day and we will be posting these out and adding them to our website later this month. Let us know if you would like a resource pack for your church or organisation or by emailing us at info@paxchristi.org.uk

Pax Christi Advent Service, Saturday 2nd December, 2.00pm

For our Advent Service this year, we are returning to the Church of the Holy Apostles, 47 Cumberland Street, Pimlico, London SW1V 4LY.

The service will last around an hour and will be followed by our Alternative Christmas Market with Fairtrade and Palestinian goods, crafts and gifts, books, cards and refreshments.

For those unable to get to London, we will be livestreaming the event and you will be able to find all the details for that livestream on our website nearer the time.

Other Events