“Something needs to change”: Vigil held in memory of Palestinians lost in Israel-Gaza war

A group of Caerphilly residents have held a vigil to remember Palestinians lost in the war between Israel and Gaza, and have called on their MP, Wayne David, to support an immediate end to the conflict.

Around 20 people gathered on a bitterly cold evening, warmed by their candlelight memorial, on the steps of the Tommy Cooper statue with placards and megaphones in hand.

There was a mood of resilience amongst the group, some of whom prior to the current conflict which already had a close relationship to Palestinians living in Gaza.

Wendy Lewis and her late husband, the former BTM councillor Ray Davies, had visited Gaza several times on aid missions.

Speaking to Caerphilly Observer at the vigil on Tuesday November 28, she said: “Me and Ray had been doing what we can to support the Palestinian fight for over 30 years.

“In 2003, Ray was actually shot over there so we know as well as anyone how difficult the conditions are.

“Palestine was once a beautiful landscape that has now been completely destroyed.”

Ms Lewis, who is the musical director of Welsh choir Cor Cochion Caerdydd, went on to say that as well as supporting an end to the conflict, she was also at the vigil to raise money: “We have a working relationship with Al-Ahli Hospital which was recently bombed.

“We’re hoping to raise around £20,000 for an ambulance that was destroyed.”

The vigil, which was organised by Suzy McGarrity, from Caerphilly, began at 6pm and opened with songs of support like We Shall Overcome, sung by the Cardiff-based choir.

The response from cars and people passing by was generally positive. Some beeped their horns in support, and a couple people stopped to chat.

There were a few who jeered and shouted profanities, but the group remained unfazed as they began their speeches into the megaphone.

Ms McGarrity opened, and directed her anger towards Caerphilly MP Mr David, who is a shadow minister for the Middle East and North Africa.

Mr David abstained from the Scottish National Party’s (SNP) call for an immediate ceasefire on November 15, describing it as “simplistic and unrealistic”.

She argued Mr David has been “getting off quite lightly” considering his position, and was accused of “not representing his constituents”.

Mr David was contacted by Caerphilly Observer ahead of the vigil, and asked about his stance on the war, which is currently ‘paused’ as a temporary ceasefire enters its sixth day on Wednesday November 29.

He said: “We all want to see an end to this terrible conflict. I welcome the fact there is a ‘pause’ in the fighting. The important thing now is to build on this and begin to lay the basis for a lasting peace.

“Our aim must be a two-state solution – a viable Palestinian state, alongside a secure Israel. Tomorrow I am speaking at a vigil in London for Children in Israel and Gaza. I believe it is so important for all of us to work together to save lives.”

Independent councillor for Ynysddu, Janine Reed, spoke at the vigil and said: “Everybody knows that we are not going to sort out the problems of Middle East, while there is effectively a giant open prison in Gaza.

“These are not my words – they were spoken by David Cameron in 2010. Thirteen years later, and Cameron is now the foreign secretary of a government that refuses to call for a ceasefire in Gaza. Gaza now is not so much an open prison: it is more like a bomb site.

Cllr Reed said it was “imperative” to show solidarity to the Palestinian people and called on the international community to “unite in calling for an end to the violence”.

She added: “It is equally important to emphasise that sympathy for the Palestinian cause does not equate to support for the military tactics employed by Hamas in recent weeks. We must condemn violence from all sides and advocate for a peaceful resolution to this longstanding conflict.”

Cardiff Labour councillor Sue Lent was also at the vigil in support. She stressed that whilst Mr David didn’t vote for the SNP’s motion, there are many councillors who did in every party, and that people should get in touch with theirs to “keep the pressure on”.

A moment’s silence was then observed by the group to remember those lost, which, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, stands at more than 14,800 people, 6,000 of which were children.

As the choir took the floor once more, Caerphilly Observer spoke to Ms McGarrity about the vigil: “It’s been very positive and we’re happy to see people come out here despite the cold. We hope to build momentum and continue putting pressure on those making decisions. Something needs to change.”

Labour councillor for the Morgan Jones ward, Jamie Pritchard, did intend on making the vigil but couldn’t due to personal reasons. On the conflict, he said: “I’ve fully supported the calls for a ceasefire and publicly signed a letter calling for a ceasefire on October 27.

“The humanitarian catastrophe inflicted by this bombing, which is completely out of compliance with international law, has to be condemned from the very beginning.

“My hopes are for things to change for the better over the coming days, but this will not be achieved by further bombing of innocent civilians.”