Activists to hold Gaza solidarity vigil and fast in Valletta this weekend
The names of Gaza victims will be read out during the two day vigil
Activists are organising a two-day solidarity fast and vigil in solidarity with the people of Gaza and Palestine, which will take place this weekend outside Castille Square in Valletta.
Organised by the activist group Ġustizzja għall-Palestina, the aim of the fast and vigil is to raise awareness of Israel’s indiscriminate starvation and massacre of men, women and children, despite mounting global outrage. The group also urged the government to take more concrete measures to sanction Israel to help stop the genocide and illegal military assaults.
The group said the vigil is part of a global action weekend for the rights of the Palestinian people to be immediately and effectively recognised and protected.
The vigil has been backed up by 25 civil society organisations, such as Moviment Graffitti, Aditus and also the political party Momentum. It is also endorsed by President Emeritus Marie Louise Coleiro Preca and former Prime Minister and MEP Alfred Sant.
Earlier this week, the EU said Israel’s ground assault on Gaza City will add to the toll of death and destruction, and worsen an already “catastrophic” humanitarian situation in the territory. The UN rights chief condemned Israel’s actions and called them “utterly unacceptable”.
Ġustizzja għall-Palestina said on Saturday and Sunday, the names of some of the victims will be read out. On Saturday and Sunday, the names of the children killed will be read out, starting from the youngest. At 9am on Sunday, 21, the names of journalists killed and abducted in Gaza will be read out, and then at 5pm, the names of health care workers will be read out.
The public is invited to join the vigil to add their voice to the global outcry in solidarity with Palestine. A press conference will be held on Saturday at 3pm.
“As Israeli Occupying Forces kill, starve, displace, injure, orphan and abduct more and more Palestinians, we ask for comprehensive sanctions on the terror state of Israel,” the group said in a statement on Friday.
“No business as usual. We believe there will only be more violence unless genocidal Israel is totally isolated economically and militarily.”
The solidarity vigil is being endorsed by:
Moviment Graffitti, Watermelon Warriors, Association for Justice, Equality and Peace, The Lebanese Advocates, PEN Malta, Association for Gerontology and Geriatrics (MAGG), African Media Association Malta (AMAM), Malta Association for Youth Workers (MAYW), Tama, Front Maltin Inqumu, Dance Beyond Borders, Għaqda Newtralita u Paċi, PaċiReLeaf, Speak Up!, MaltaHumanists Malta, Laboratorju tal-Paċi: PeaceLab, MaltaBlue Door Education, Inizjamed, Momentum, Right to Smile, Malta, RAAH, Vuċi Kollettiv, MGRM - LGQBTI+, Aditus.
Individual endorsements include Former President of Malta, Her Eċċ. Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, Former Prime Minister of Malta and MEP, Hon. Dr Alfred Sant, Former Deputy Prime Minister and MEP, Hon Louis Grech, Cyrus Engerer, Rupert, Cefai and Edgar Preca.