A group of peace campaigners have marked three years of vigils in Tavistock since the beginning of the Gaza conflict with Israel.

Tavistock Peace Action Group (TPAG) have organised a weekly vigil in Bedford Square, Tavistock, calling for a ceasefire and peace and justice for Palestine, every Friday afternoon since November 2023.

The group staged a milestone vigil on Friday, October 9 to mark three years since the conflict in Gaza started, welcoming along visiting campaigners from Wadebridge.

Val Sharpe, TPAG member, said: “There were 30 people, including some from Wadebridge, who were keen to meet others. They organise a weekly 'Pedal for Palestine' on the Camel Trail.”

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

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 and took 251 hostages. Israel retaliated by bombing and invading Gaza, in a bid to destroy Hamas. The conflict has continued ever since.

Val said the group has agreed the Tavistock vigils will continue for another winter. The situation in the West Bank in particular was ‘getting worse’ with Israeli settlers ‘grabbing’ more land and resident Palestinians being 'removed' from their land and homes. Overall over 1,400 Palestinians had been been killed since the ceasefire.

She said TPAG welcomed anyone to stand in solidarity on Friday vigils, from 4pm-5pm, to reflect, share thoughts and show support for Palestinians.

TPAG meets monthly on the first Tuesday in the United Reformed Church, Russell Street, from 7.30pm. All are welcome. TPAG can be contacted on: [email protected]

Meanwhile, TPAG member David Oddie has written and published a book ‘A Drama Teacher in Palestine’. He founded Indra Congress, a network of community artists working for reconciliation.