Since October 2023, every Wednesday morning, a group of Monmouth peace campaigners have been gathering in Monnow Street, leafleting and talking to passersby, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, peace and justice for all of the Palestinian people.

Over 40,000 people have been killed in Gaza, mainly women and children. Disease is rife and after numerous displacements many Gazans are on the verge of starvation. The infrastructure has been shattered with over 60% of all buildings destroyed. The International Court of Justice has concluded that ‘plausible acts of genocide’ are being committed in Gaza

One of the organisers of the Monmouth demonstrations said: “Our gatherings are for peace and, contrary to the views of some, not in support of Hamas, nor antisemitic. We want to see a ceasefire, the return of the hostages and justice for the Palestinian people in Gaza, the West Bank of the River Jordan, and within the state of Israel, which has been described as an Apartheid State by Amnesty International.

“No one thought when we started these actions almost a year ago that this terrible war would still be going on with ever greater suffering of the innocent.

“We need to keep the conflict at the forefront of people’s mind. The war in Gaza should be an issue for us all, even in Monmouth. There is an ever increasing danger of escalation. We are part of a nationwide movement covering towns and cities across the country and indeed the world.”

Another participant added that “These Wednesday actions are the very least we can do to show solidarity with the people of Gaza. We can’t turn our backs to them. This can’t just be left to politicians. Pressure has to be brought to bear on our Government and the international community to achieve a ceasefire in the interests of humanity”

All are welcome to join the peace gathering outside Monmouth’s Oldway Centre at 11.00am on Wednesday mornings.

For more information: [email protected]

An armed conflict between Israel and Hamas-led Palestinian militant groups has been taking place in the Gaza Strip and Israel since 7 October 2023.