AROUND 50 people joined this week’s Carlisle call for a ceasefire in the Middle East as Carlisle Palestine Solidarity Group marked their 13th vigil. 

The call brought with it people travelling from Allerdale, South Lakes and Northumberland as well as regulars at the Greenmarket vigil, which runs every Saturday from 1pm. 

The vigils are set to continue every week. 

This week, the core focus was on a controversial bill awaiting its third reading in parliament on today (January 10) - the Economic Activity of Public Bodies Bill. 

The government said the Bill aims to prevent publicly funded bodies, including councils and universities, from creating standalone foreign policies.

Concerns have been raised regarding the fostering of community tensions and the potential rise of antisemitism, often linked to suggested boycotts of Israel and Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

It has since been opposed by Amnesty International and Greenpeace. 

The group promoted action calling for local MPs to reject the bill:
https://palestinecampaign.eaction.online/MPboycottvote

In more upcoming activities, another fundraising gig for Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP), a continuation of their prior efforts, which raised over £1000, will take place at the Brickyard on April 5.

Special film screenings will also be hosted on February 16 at 6.30pm, Church of Scotland, Chapel St, Carlisle.