Hastings Council and local people to celebrate friendship with oppressed al-Mawasi, Gaza

Gaza ‘safe zone’ is bombed daily by colonial occupation forces, but Hastings residents and council stand in solidarity with displaced Palestinians

At 2pm next Saturday 30 August at Muriel Matters House in Hastings, Hastings Borough Council and Hastings Friends of Al-Mawasi will come together to celebrate their friendship link with Al-Mawasi, the wasteland supposed ‘safe’ zone of Gaza into which Israel has forced tens of thousands of Palestinians to move – before bombing them every day along with the rest of Gaza, even during the supposed ‘pause’ in January.

The event unites residents in solidarity with Gaza and highlights the connections they have forged through shared resilience and humanity. It follows the council’s historic motion passed on 16 July this year demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the return of all hostages on both sides, a complete ban on arms sales to Israel and support for the town’s friendship links with the people of Al-Mawasi.

The event will include a reception hosted by the Hastings mayor Cllr Becca Horn, the showing of a video from Al-Mawasi and presentation of a commemorative plaque. This will be followed at 2.30pm by a celebration parade to St Leonards Warrior Square, where there will be speeches and participants are encouraged to bring drums and instruments, then attendees will then be invited to attend a reception at Hastings Mosque, 12 Mercatoria, St Leonards TN38 0EB.

Friendship & Solidarity

Hasting’s Friends of Al-Mawasi have built a strong bond with the community of Al-Mawasi, maintaining regular contact with the local Resilience Committee and organising events to raise funds for essential resources including solar panels, food parcels, internet, a well, bakery, women’s workshops, and educational resources. The relationship has grown even more vital as thousands of displaced Palestinians in Gaza have been compelled by Israeli occupying forces to take shelter in Al-Mawasi.

Hastings councillor Yunis Smith said:

From one coastal town to another we’ve shown that solidarity, dignity & human connection shine brighter than cruelty. Al Mawasi, like Hastings, is defined not just by its land but by the resilience of its people. They survive, endure & beckon us to witness their struggle & their strength. Hastings Borough Council is a borough of sanctuary. That means something: it means we strive for a better community, it means we stand with the oppressed, whoever they are, wherever they are.

Anyone able to attend is encouraged by the organisers to do so and will be warmly welcomed to a day of celebration, uniting for peace and justice in Palestine and celebrating two coastal communities connected in friendship and solidarity.

For more information see hastingspalestinecampaign.org/hastings-friends-al-mawasi.html or the group’s Facebook page.

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