Campaigns

BMS March for Palestine

13 May 2008

BMS Regional Secretary for the Middle East and North Africa, Gordon McBain, and colleagues were involved in a day of solidarity with Palestinians last weekend.

A reported 15,000 people took part in the march, representing groups as diverse as trade unions, Amos Trust, War on Want, Pax Christi, Jews for Justice for Palestinians and the British Muslim Initiative.

Palestinian solidarity march. Photo courtesy of Alex Baker, Baptist Times.

The march culminated in a rally on Trafalgar Square, where 20 speakers (among them Tony Benn MP and Richard Burden MP, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Palestine).

They brought messages of solidarity with Palestinians, calling for an end to the siege of Gaza, withdrawal from the occupied territories and the right of return for Palestinian refugees.

Many messages were brought about the shocking conditions in which many Palestinians are being forced to live.

“It felt good to be taking a stand that might bring about change,” Gordon McBain said of the march.

"It felt good to stand so many different people, all concerned for just treatment of one of the poorest nations on earth.

"The full breadth of support for Palestine was reflected, some of which I agreed with and some of which I did not, but overall it was a good day and I hope it helps to bring about change for the better.”

BMS’ solidarity with the Palestinian cause is not to be construed as support for those who pursue terrorist tactics.

The vast majority of Palestinians and Israelis want peace and we join with other groups calling for that peace to be just.

The BMS Board of Trustees recently approved new partnerships with Israeli Baptists and with Baptists in the Palestinian territories.

Gordon’s personal reflections on the march and more photos from it can be found by clicking the link below:

Why I marched

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