‘IT IS in the Labour Party Manifesto that first business under a Labour government led by Jeremy Corbyn is to recognise the state of Palestine,’ Andy Slaughter, Labour candidate for Hammersmith said on Saturday night.
He was speaking at a packed out event organised by the Association of Palestinian Community (APC) where over 150 guests marked the victory of the Palestinian hunger strikers. The event was also organised by the April 17 movement which takes its name from the date 1,600 Palestinian prisoners began their hunger strike.
The hunger strike has now been suspended as the prisoners have won 80% of their demands. The event took place at the Two Trees Hilton in Ealing where Palestinians living in the UK and supporters of the Palestinian struggle met to enjoy a delicious Iftar dinner and live music and dance from Palestinian artists.
Addressing the event, after the meal, Slaughter continued: ‘We are dedicated to the Palestinian cause. I am one of the founding members of Labour Friends of Palestine. ‘As far as the Palestinian community here in the UK and across the world, living in Gaza, in the West Bank and in Israel as well, who are suffering needlessly, have to know that despite their suffering we are with you.
‘We are marking some anniversaries this year, and they are not good anniversaries. 50 years of occupation, 80 years since the Nakba and of course Britain must hold its hand up to the Balfour Declaration signed 100 years ago which gave Palestine away when it was not theirs to give.
‘There are many, many friends of Palestine in the Labour Party and you can see on the marches in support of Palestine where hundreds of thousands turn out, that the people of the UK support your cause. Two years ago Parliament overwhelmingly voted to recognise Palestine. It is a shame that the Tory government has not carried that out and ignored the will of Parliament. Our hearts, soul and energy are with you in the years of struggle to come and I am confident that the Palestinian struggle will be victorious.’
Aysar Shamallakh, from the April 17 movement spoke to News Line, he said: ‘I was on hunger strike here in the UK in solidarity with the Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike in Israeli jails. I was on hunger strike for 25 days. I started it to raise awareness about what was going on in Palestine. I lived in a caravan located around London but mainly parked outside Parliament.
‘The hunger strikers in Palestine have won 80% of their demands and are in negotiation over the last 20% of their demands. This is a victory for humanity. The victory is that they tried to split the prisoners and negotiate with them separate from the hunger strikes leader Marwan Bargouthi. However, the prisoners refused to enter any negotiations which bypassed their leader Marwan Bargouthi.’
The President of the Association of Palestinian Community (APC) Rajab Shamallak addressed the event. He said: ‘Tonight we celebrate the Palestinian community in the UK. This community has been in trouble for some time, however we are much stronger now than we have ever been. Our young people are our greatest treasure. It is our young people that will work for justice and our home land. Let us build a future together: One people and one Palestine.’
A beautiful young Palestinian singer Hadeel then performed. When she sang ‘We cross over borders but we are still there now,’ a cheer went up from the audience. Then the renowned Galilee String Quartet, a remarkable group of four young musicians who had travelled all the way from Palestine, performed traditional songs from across the Arab world.
Introducing the group, an APC member said: ‘The Galilee String Quarter perform all over the world. They promote the Palestinian cause and are world renowned internationally. They use their music as a weapon for freedom and use their talents everywhere they go.’
21-year-old Omar who plays percussion in the group said: ‘In England, across Europe and all over the world it is a privilege to be able to perform. Music is a way of life for the Palestinian people, it is a form of resistance. We love life, we teach life. We want to live in peace and independence and share our culture with the whole world.’
The group is comprised of Omar, 19-year-old Mustapha who plays the Ud, a Palestinian type of guitar, 23-year-old Gandhi who plays the violin, and 18-year-old Tibah who plays the cello and sings. There were many Palestinian youth and students in the audience.
Hazlem Abubhabib, studying at Sussex University in Brighton added: ‘Theresa May said that she was proud of the Balfour Declaration. Being proud of establishing an occupation is a shameful thing. In Israel Palestinians are treated like second class citizens. In Gaza and the West Bank Palestinians are suffering under Israeli occupation. If Theresa May succeeds in her election then she will support one side, and that is the Israeli side, she will ignore the rights of the Palestinian people. This government will not even condemn the illegal building of Israeli settlements. However I would not expect anything less from a government who are in total support of Israel.’
Omar Jouda who is studying a masters at Oxford University told News Line: ‘I am originally from Gaza. To me it is so important to bring the Palestinian community together at events such as this. The Palestinian hunger strikers’ victory is a remarkable achievement.
‘That the Labour Party has in their Manifesto the call to recognise the Palestinian state is amazing. The more people know about the Palestinian cause the closer we are to bring about justice. We want recognition of our Palestinian state, that is the most important thing.’
It was a powerful event with a deep feeling of how the victory of the Palestinian hunger strikers has inspired people all over the world to fight to ensure the victory of the Palestinian struggle. The food and music and striking message made the evening a night to remember.
