In These New Times

Peace vigil for Gaza

Wednesday, 14 January 2009

The candlelit vigil outside St Leonard’s Church (Hannah Jones)

CHRISTIANS, Jews and Muslims gathered for a peace vigil in protest against Israel’s attacks on Gaza.

Pacifists convened outside St Leonard’s Church in Streatham on Friday from 5pm.

The event came a day before tens of thousands flocked to central London on Saturday for the UK’s biggest march yet over the Israeli offensive.

Organiser Sue Petch, 58, from Fairmile Avenue, Streatham, wanted to make a stand as she was unable to attend the London rally.

She said: “I wanted to do something locally because people feel horrified and helpless, but it seems the Government isn’t horrified enough to do anything about it.

“Sometimes people can’t get up to the big demonstrations but they want to make a stand.

“We just want it to stop.”

United Nations officials say 792 Palestinians have been killed since the war began on December 27.

It is reported many of those victims were women and children.

The Israeli death toll is believed to be 13, including three civilians.

Sue added: “We’ve all been affected by it.

“I think about my children and grandchildren.

“You can’t get away from it.”

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