More than £5,000 raised so far by Gaza solidarity walk

TWO DOZEN hardy campaigners were battling a stiff northerly wind today (Saturday) as they were walking to 30 miles from Sumburgh to Lerwick to raise funds to help alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

One of the organisers of the Soothend Gaza Solidarity Walk, local Green councillor Alex Armitage, said his ward between Gulberwick in the north and Sumburgh in the south was roughly the same size as the Gaza strip.

“Though Shetland is far away from Gaza, we are all connected,” he said, adding that the walk represents the long, treacherous journeys that many Palestinian civilians have been forced to make.

“Our government continues to engage in arming the Israeli Government, and the UK government has continued to tacitly provide political cover for the Israeli Government’s genocidal assault.

“This famine and genocide taking place in Gaza represents a key test of our humanity. In the future, folk will easily be able to condemn this – but it is what we do now that counts.”

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The 27 who set off from Sumburgh Head this morning at 6.30am are expected to arrive at Lerwick’s Market Cross at around 9pm.

They are raising fund for two organisations:

• The Green Olive Collective, an Israeli/Palestinian organisation based in Jerusalem, organises events, tours, cultural exchanges and advocacy campaigns, enabling Israelis and Palestinians to discover a shared sense of humanity and foster respect for equality, democratic values and human rights, and an end to military occupation, genocide and famine.
• The Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF) is a charity headquartered in Los Angeles that provides medical and humanitarian relief for Palestinian children. Almost 20,000 children have been confirmed killed since 7 October 2023 but a greater number have suffered limb loss or other serious life-changing injury.

So far more than £5,000 have been raised. Donations can be made here.