A group of thirty peace campaigners and Ghazzah ceasefire activists have erected a camp opposite the US embassy in Nine Elms Lane, south west London. The camp was set up on Sunday September 1st and will remain there until there is a permanent ceasefire in the Palestinian enclave of Ghazzah.
US Plays a Pivotal Role in Ghazzah Genocide
The US government has been a staunch and vocal ally of Israel during its unconstrained and indiscriminate attacks on Ghazzah, which many have labelled a genocide. Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories concluded in March of this year: “There are reasonable grounds to believe that the threshold indicating the commission of the crime of genocide against Palestinians as a group in Ghazzah has been met.”
The US has sent an average of two shipments of weapons to Israel daily since October 7th 2023, equating to approximately 150 tons of munitions and equipment per day. In addition, the US has deployed multiple naval strike groups off the Ghazzah coastline, effectively blockading the twenty-five-mile-long stretch of land. There is also wide speculation of US intelligence services supplying Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) with detailed satellite imagery and analysis. In diplomatic circles the US has continually blocked any efforts to sanction Israel, while at the UN security council it has repeatedly used its veto to shield Israel from any resolutions aimed at ending the genocide.
Community Camp for Palestine
The camp, situated at Nine Elms Pavilion, comprises a handful of tents, an open kitchen area and communal seating. The pavilion is decorated with a series of banners calling out US involvement in the deaths of thousands of Palestinians. In July 2024, The Lancet – one of the world’s leading medical journals – suggested a conservative estimate of the real death toll in Ghazzah could be close to 200,000, around 10% of the population. Approximately two-thirds of those murdered by IOF are suspected to be women and children.
Camp hosts organise daily events that attract a wide range of visitors, including from the surrounding neighbourhoods. Events so far have involved an open mic evening, an outdoor showing of the Palestinian film Where Olive Trees Weep, letter writing, dabkeh (a traditional Palestinian dance) lessons and hosting various speakers. There have also been walking protests outside the embassy. I spoke with several residents who were supportive of the camp, including some who brought food and other provisions for the camp’s occupants.
“We are mindful of our neighbours and have ensured the camp doesn’t disrupt their day-to-day lives. They have welcomed us and have regularly joined our activities. We are a peaceful reminder of the need to stop the genocide in Ghazzah and that is a universal message,” said one of the camp’s hosts.
The camp is a reincarnation of one set up in April 2024, which ran for a week. The new camp is larger and has drawn campaigners from across the country.
“The first camp was here for a week. We didn’t think the genocide would be allowed to continue. We were wrong and so we’re back, this time indefinitely. We, alone, are unlikely to influence the US government but by being here we are showing we care. When people are walking or driving by, they see how we are willing to make personal sacrifices to hold this space for Ghazzah.”
Volunteers are rostered for an around-the-clock presence, often forcing them to place their own lives on hold. Some do short stints, a few hours, while others join the camp for blocks of days at a time. Personal space is limited and while there is power it can be intermittent. Local public bathrooms provide hot water and toilet facilities.
“Maintaining the camp has its own complexities and sometimes it doesn’t seem sustainable. But then we look at Ghazzah, and life in Ghazzah isn’t sustainable; it’s beyond not sustainable, it’s a devastating experience and in comparison, ours is a minute sacrifice.”
Find out more at Insta @sw.act4pal to get involved or find out about events planned.
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©2024 Sul Nowroz – Real Media staff writer
