Peace campaigners are pleading with Paisley Buddies to stand up to the brutal killing of thousands of children as its confirmed they account for 44 per cent of all deaths in Gaza.
Paisley 4 Palestine is urging people to attend its rally in the town this Saturday to show solidarity with innocent civilians and to demand a ceasefire in the Middle East.
The rally will be held just days after the United Nations said it found “unprecedented” levels of international law violations in the Gaza conflict, raising concerns about “war crimes and other possible atrocity crimes”.
In research conducted by the UN, it verified the details of 8,119 people killed in Gaza from November 2023 to April 2024. Its analysis found around 44 per cent of verified victims were children and 26 per cent women. The ages most represented among the dead were five to nine-year-olds. The youngest victim was just one day old.
The research also revealed that 80 per cent of those victims were killed in residential buildings. The IDF has previously told the BBC and other media outlets it “has not breached international law” and works to “minimise risks to civilians”.
But the report said the data indicates “an apparent indifference to the death of civilians and the impact of the means and methods of warfare”.
To date, 43,300 people have been killed, with many more bodies lying beneath the rubble. The harrowing statistics show why it is more important then ever to demand a ceasefire, Paisley 4 Palestine has said.
John Kelly, a founding member of the campaign group, told the Express: “Look at the number of women and children who have been killed. The UN report said the oldest person to be killed was 95 years old and the youngest just one day old – that’s just beyond belief.
“What people need to realise is that we are paying for this. Our taxes are being used to pay for these weapons that are murdering people out there.
“There’s that saying, ‘the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing’; the world cannot stand by and allow this to happen.”
The rally at County Square this Saturday will hear from an array of speakers including musicians, poets and activists.
Councillor Andy Doig will address the crowd as will MSPs Ross Greer and George Adam. The Tannahill Makar and poet Shaun Moore will also speak as will Paisley poet Alex Cathcart and musicians Eddie Reid and Kirk Armstrong.
There will also be a huge presence from Scottish trade unions, while John himself will also deliver a speech alongside Jewish anti-Zionist Donny Gluckstein.
John added: “We are calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon; UK food and health aid to assist the starving and injured in Palestine and Lebanon; an immediate cessation of supplies of arms, weapons, logistics and parts to Israel and for the UK to support the South African case accusing Israel of genocide at the International Court of Justice.
“Please, please come along and show your solidarity for the innocent people of Gaza who are being slaughtered.”
The rally will begin at 11am. For more information, follow Paisley 4 Palestine on social media.
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