British Jews commemorate Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks

By Zuhal Demirci

LONDON (AA) - British Jewish group Na'amod organized a vigil in London on Friday to mourn Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7.

The crowd gathered at the Gasholder Park to join "a call to global action by activists in Jerusalem, where any public expression of solidarity with Palestinians risks hostile reprisals and repression."

Calling for a cease-fire in Gaza, end to siege of the territory and release of hostages, the protesters carried signs, some of which read: "Each person is a world," "End the siege," and "Cease-fire now."

A poem by late Palestinian poet and writer Mahmoud Darwish was also read at the gathering.

Participants who prayed in English and Hebrew also left small stones on the ground for the Palestinians killed by Israel.

The Palestinian death toll from Israeli attacks on Gaza has soared to more than 20,000, according to the Health Ministry in the blockaded enclave, besides mass destruction, displacement and shortage of basic necessities.

Nearly 1,200 Israelis are believed to have been killed in the Hamas offensive more than two months ago, while more than 130 hostages remain in captivity after others were freed during a temporary truce in November.

​​​​​​​Na'amod describes itself as "movement of Jews in the UK seeking to end our community's support for Israel's occupation and apartheid."