Israeli government’s actions in response to Hamas’s deadly attacks on 7 October 2023 brought Gaza’s population to the brink of collapse.
The speed and scale of the destruction is unprecedented in this century. Deliberately indiscriminate attacks wiped out entire families, schools, hospitals, communities. The relentless bombardment and restrictions on life-saving humanitarian aid left Gaza’s population facing starvation, displacement and annihilation. The current ceasefire brought some relief to the Palestinian population, but attacks are still happening on a daily basis and the plans for the future of Gaza from USA and Israel don’t consider the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian People.
In the words of Amnesty’s secretary general, Agnès Callamard:
“The ceasefire risks creating a dangerous illusion that life in Gaza is returning to normal. But while Israeli authorities and forces have reduced the scale of their attacks and allowed limited amounts of humanitarian aid into Gaza, the world must not be fooled. Israel’s genocide is not over.”
Before the current war, for years Amnesty International has been calling for an end to Israeli apartheid and the racist regime of oppressive laws, policies, and practices designed to stifle and deny the humanity of Palestinians. Despite the existence of human rights statutes and international laws designed to prevent war crimes and crimes against humanity, the international community has failed to effectively hold Israel accountable. The UK Government is no exception, repeatedly ignoring its legal obligation to prevent and punish genocide, despite claiming to be a champion of the ‘rule of law’.
Join your local Amnesty groups to enjoy tasty vegetarian food, meet like-minded people in a safe, welcoming environment, hear from interesting international speakers, and raise money for human rights.
Please arrive by 11.15 to enter our raffle!
Everyone’s welcome – let’s eat, learn, and fundraise together!
Programme for the day:
Speakers:
1) Neil Cowan - Amnesty Scotland Director - Humans Rights Manifesto
2) Amnesty UK Student Network - Defend Dissent campaign and Palestine
3) Mariam Barghouti - video message from Ramallah
4) Wael Shawish - Hadeel Palestinian Social Enterprise
5) Diline Abushaban - Palestinian Writer and Poet
6) PalCafe (https://palcafe.org/) - Palcafe' Project
Stalls:
Amnesty International Glasgow
Palcafe
Hadeel (Palestinian shop with food and crafts from Palestine)
Exhibitions:
Gaza Faces - project promoted by "The Joyful Sale of Broken Objects" https://www.joyfulsaleofbrokenobjects.net/gazafacesboards
Embroidery Collective Project for Palestine by Kirsty Russel
This event is a fundraiser, but we don't want money to be a barrier to attend and learn more about human rights.
We offer these suggested ticket prices:
Concession: Free (unwaged/unable to work)
Cover event costs: £10
Solidarity: £15
Fundraiser: £20
There will be vegetarian and vegan food options.
Please reserve a place using the above eventbrite link.
Once covered the cost, all money raised will be donated to the Palestinian NGO "Ele Elna Elak" currently operating in Gaza https://eleelnaelak.org/
Accessibility: Woodside Halls has wheelchair-accessible entrances with ramps and designated accessible toilets.
This is an inclusive event for all. We particularly welcome our LGBTQIA+ friends and people with experience of forced migration.
