Well attended vigil

Strong attendance at 121st vigil

March 2026

Around 36 attended the 121st vigil and it was pleasing to welcome some passers-by who stopped to join in. Nearly half the cars sounded their horns. Here is a video of the vigil. The vigils started because of the horrific events on October 7th and the ensuing violence in Gaza where the death toll stands at 72,267. The violence continues and around 4 weeks ago, both Israel and the US have started a bombing campaign in Iran and very recently, Israel has started a ground and bombing campaign in Lebanon. In the past few days, the Houthis in Yemen have recommenced their campaign sending missiles towards Israel.

There has never been a sign of the local MP Mr John Glen at any of the vigils nor any mention of them in his weekly column afforded to him by the Salisbury Journal. Mr Glen has claimed in the paper to be a proud member of the Conservative Friends of Israel group. Another member of the Labour party version is the Trade Minister highlighted in our previous post (see link below).

Use of white phosphorus

The violence seems set to continue with civilian casualties mounting on all sides but mostly in Iran and Lebanon. A particularly troubling development last week was a report by Human Rights Watch producing evidence that Israel is using white phosphorus in southern Lebanon. White phosphorus is a chemical substance dispersed in artillery shells, bombs, and rockets which ignites when exposed to oxygen. It can set homes, agricultural areas, and other civilian objects on fire. Technically, it is not a chemical weapon.

Under international humanitarian law, the use of airburst white phosphorus is unlawfully indiscriminate in populated areas and does not meet the legal requirement to take all feasible precautions to avoid civilian harm. The effects on humans is fearful. Biology Insights report ‘direct contact with white phosphorus leads to severe and immediate localized damage, primarily through chemical and thermal injuries. White phosphorus ignites spontaneously when exposed to air, typically at temperatures ranging from 30 to 50 degrees Celsius. This ignition initiates a highly exothermic reaction, releasing significant heat and causing the substance to burn fiercely at temperatures between 800 and 2500 degrees Celsius. The burning continues until the phosphorus is consumed or deprived of oxygen.

‘The resulting burns are profoundly painful and can be full-thickness, extending through all layers of the skin. White phosphorus particles readily adhere to skin and clothing. Because the substance is highly lipid-soluble, it can penetrate deeply into underlying fatty tissues, muscles, and even bone. This deep penetration leads to extensive tissue necrosis [death of cells] at the point of contact‘.

Inhalation is also extremely painful and causes lung damage and possibly renal failure.

‘Beyond horrific‘

A 2023 Amnesty report described its use then as ‘beyond horrific’. The weapon also contaminates the ground and makes its future use problematic for agriculture. Since most villages in the area are dependent on agriculture it has profound economic effects as well.

Hastings protest by Jewish people

This short moving video taken by Hastings Jews for Justice is a protest against Israel’s planned execution law for Palestinians only. Palestinians in Israeli prisons are already tortured, abused, starved and raped. They will be hanged if this law is enacted. There is no appeal. They claim it is state-sanctioned murder. HJJ calls on all MPs to condemn this vile law. Please add your name to the HJJ letter here: https://forms.gle/gnEgkRs553z5Yi617 HJJ Website: https://www.hastingsjewsforjustice.org/ This Guardian article provides an update on the progress through the Knesset.

Previous posts:

• Well attended vigil
• Trade Minister a member of Friends of Israel
• Palantir and the threats to our rights
• Is a two state solution possible?
• Vigil No 120 attracts strong support

Photo & video: Peter Gloyns

Trade Minister a member of Friends of Israel

Peter Kyle declines to answer any questions

March 2026

The Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP is the Secretary of State for Business and Trade and in the interview clip below, he is repeatedly asked why he has not declared his membership of the Labour Friends of Israel group. As the interviewer points out, his is the key ministerial position when it comes to arms exports and yet he is a supporter of one of the warring parties. The Register of Interests makes no mention of this membership [accessed 27 March].

Facebook film

He is but one of a large number of members of this powerful and well-funded lobby organisation. It must be questioned whether it is appropriate for a minister to a) be a member in the first place and b) why he has not declared it. His voting record displays a distinct pro-Israel and ‘anti-Palestinian’ stance according to the MP War Crimes web site. Further background is provided on the CAAT site.

As we have noted on several occasions before, the Salisbury MP, Mr John Glen is also a member, indeed a ‘proud member’ of the Conservative version of the lobby group and the same site lists his voting record.

It is reported today (27th March) that it is not safe for anyone in Beirut due to Israeli bombing. Israel is engaged in a plan to clear most of Lebanon up to the Litani river. Human Rights Watch have reported that Israel is using white phosphorous in southern Lebanon providing compelling evidence. The use of this weapon which causes severe injuries, is banned under International Humanitarian law in cases where there are civilians. The IDF claim they are: “currently unaware and cannot confirm use of shells that contain white phosphorous in Lebanon as claimed. The IDF did not watch the visuals supposedly relied on by Human Rights Watch in making its claims, and therefore cannot currently comment on them.”

Sources: HRW, Independent, Guardian, Declassified, Salisbury Journal, CAAT.

Israel used white phosphorus to scorch earth in south Lebanon, researcher says
Human Rights Watch and others say they have documented use of weapon in civilian areas during war on Gaza
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/25/israel-white-phosphorus-south-lebanon-researchers

from #TheGuardian

March 25, 2026

When the M825-series 155mm artillery projectile bursts, expelling its felt wedges containing #WhitePhosphorus, it leaves a distinctive knuckle-shaped plume. That is how #HumanRightsWatch (HRW) researchers said they were able to verify that #Israel was again using the notorious weapon over south #Lebanon, reigniting accusations that it is breaking the laws of war.

The New York-based rights group said it had verified and geolocated eight images showing airburst white phosphorus munitions exploding over residential areas in the southern Lebanese town of Yohmor in the opening days of Israel’s assault during the #war on Gaza.

#news #politics #MiddleEast #WestAsia

L'Association des Greensoutherners a été fondée en 2013 par le Dr. Hisham Younes et a obtenu son enregistrement officiel (no 2314) le 13 novembre 2014. L’association se consacre à la protection du patrimoine naturel et culturel du Liban, notamment dans le Sud. Son approche est guidée par le concept de rewilding comme cadre fondamental pour ses activités de conservation de la biodiversité. Il travaille également à protéger les zones vitales, les sites naturels et les espèces menacées, en mettant l’accent sur la collaboration avec les agriculteurs, les chasseurs et les parties prenantes locales, en les considérant comme des partenaires essentiels pour la sauvegarde de la biodiversité.

Le projet « Mapping Ecocide in Lebanon » représente l’une des premières initiatives basées sur la recherche et orientées sur le terrain dédiées à l’évaluation de l’impact environnemental du phosphore blanc (WP) utilisé lors de l’assaut 2023-2024 sur le Sud-Liban. Le projet intègre la documentation sur le terrain, les témoignages de résidents, l'analyse en laboratoire et une approche fondée sur les droits pour produire un dossier scientifiquement fondé sur la contamination et les dommages environnementaux, dans le but d'éclairer les efforts futurs de responsabilisation et d'assainissement.

https://greensoutherners.org/post/mapping-ecocide-in-lebanon-project

#Liban #Lebanon #Ecocide
#Greensoutherners #Rapport #PhosphoreBlanc #WhitePhosphorus

‼️Les forces israéliennes bombardent la ville de Naqoura, dans le sud du Liban, d’artillerie et de munitions remplies de phosphore, rapporte l’Agence nationale de presse libanaise.

https://www.nna-leb.gov.lb/en/news/153204/israeli-artillery-phosphorus-shelling-of-naqoura-clashes-between-enemy-resistance-in-the-town-2

#Liban #Lebanon #PhosphoreBlanc #WhitePhosphorus #DroitInternational #Ecocide

#israel #lebanon : #militaryattack / #hezbollah / #internationallaw / #warcrime / #ngo / #hrw / #whitephosphorus

„Human Rights Watch Verifies Use of Incendiary Weapon over Residential Areas in Southern Lebanon.“

https://www.hrw.org/news/2026/03/09/lebanon-israel-unlawfully-using-white-phosphorus