A group of peace campaigners is preparing to mark three years of vigils in Tavistock since the beginning of the Gaza conflict with Israel.

Tavistock Peace Action Group (TPAG) has organised a weekly vigil in Bedford Square, Tavistock, calling for a ceasefire and peace and justice for Palestine every Friday from 4-5pm since November 2023.

There will be a milestone vigil on Friday, October 9 to mark three years since the conflict in Gaza started. The war began on October 7 in 2023 when the Palestinian Islamist political and militant group Hamas (designated a terrorist organisation by the UK) killed 1,195 Israels and foreign nationals with 251 hostages. Israel retaliated by bombing and then invading Gaza, in a bid to destroy Hamas.

Val Sharpe, of TPAG, said: “We welcomes anybody to stand in solidarity in Tavistock, to come for all or just part of the vigil, to reflect and share thoughts and show support for the Palestinian people. The ongoing vigils attract at least 20 people every week and it is hoped that the vigil on October 9 will be attended by many more.”

There will be rallies, demonstrations and vigils across the country and internationally over the weekend of October 10-11 to mark the third anniversary, including a National March for Palestine in London.

In the three years, at least 75,000 Palestinians have been killed with over 70 per cent being women and children. Over 560 aid workers and over 270 journalists have lost their lives. According to the World Health Organisation, at least 94 per cent of the 36 hospitals in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed.

Tavistock Peace Action Group meets on the first Tuesday of each month in the United Reformed Church, Russell Street, from 7.30pm. All are welcome. TPAG can be contacted on: [email protected]