Stop the War coalition newsletter 29.11.24
Posted: 29th November 2024
Newsletter – 29/11/24
Emergency Protest & Day of Action – Sat 7 December
The world is being pushed dangerously close to a third world war.
In retaliation for Ukraine’s firing US and British missiles into Russia, Russian ballistic missiles were directed on targets in Ukraine, sending a clear message to the Western powers that the war is on the brink of descending into an all-out war between Nato and Russia that could easily become nuclear.
Making matters worse, as reported in the New York Times, President Biden may even give Ukraine nuclear weapons before he leaves office. Not only would this be a serious breach of the non-proliferation treaty but it would also be a huge and provocative escalation.
In response, at a live press conference on Thursday, President Putin said he would use “all means of destruction” available to him if Kyiv were to acquire nuclear weapons. Putin also said he would not hesitate to use Russia’s new Oreshnik missiles, missiles “comparable in strength to a nuclear strike” with a “kinetic impact so powerful” everything it targets would be turned to dust leaving, craters as large as lakes.
Yet as Andrew Murray said on Wednesday, politicians in Parliament barely twitch a muscle, or raise a voice, “even to inquire as to what may be going on and whether Britain may find itself formally at war with a nuclear-armed power before 2025 breaks.”
It is therefore of the utmost urgency that we do all we can to prevent further escalation and pressurise our political leaders to pull back from the brink.
CND and Stop the War have called an emergency day of action on Saturday 7 December. Groups around the country will be organising local actions and for those in London we ask you do all you can to join our protest outside Downing Street at 2.30pm.
Free Palestine – Hands off Lebanon
Join tomorrow’s National Demo
Although very welcome, the ceasefire in Lebanon is fragile indeed, as Israeli tanks still fire at targets over the Lebanese border, attacking those returning to the rubble of their homes.
Israeli prime minister Netanyahu welcomed the temporary deal saying it would allow Israel to focus on Gaza and Iran. True to form the IDF immediately escalated its bombardment of Gaza and tanks have pushed deeper into both the north and south of the strip.
The siege of the the strip continues. The two million people in Gaza have little access to food or medical care and no access to safe drinking water. An estimated 130,000 children under 10 are trapped in areas of Northern Gaza, their plight beyond desperate. This siege and the relentless bombardment must stop. Our government must uphold international law and end its complicity in the genocide.
The Biggest Workplace Day of Action for Palestine
Thursday’s workplace day of action was the biggest and broadest yet, with actions taking place up and down the country, and in many workplaces for the first time. A huge thanks is due to all who took part and made the day such a success.
From Portsmouth to Glasgow workers raised their voices in solidarity with Palestine. There were demands by local government officials for divestment of pension schemes, while universities held teach-ins and rallies defending the right to protest on campus. Students and staff also demanded an end to university investments in arms industries and companies with links to the occupation. In other workplaces money was raised for Palestinian charities and lunchtime meetings held to inform colleagues about the Palestinian struggle.
In London civil servants and trade unionists marched to Whitehall and picketed those government departments which licence arms exports to Israel (the Foreign Office and Trade Department) demanding an immediate arms embargo.
This is just a small snap shot of the events on Thursday, click here to read more about the day.
StW’s Famous Festive Auction 12 December
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Join us on 12 December for our online Xmas auction. We will be joined by key friends of the movement to help spread some cheer. What better way is there to bring in the festive season?
Kevin Courtney will once again be our auctioneer extraordinaire, and he’s got some amazing items for you to bid for, with one-of-a-kind lots specially donated from key friends of the movement.
Even if you don’t bid it’s always great entertainment, so make sure you’re part of it!
This event will be online, beamed directly into your homes, with all proceeds raised going to Stop the War’s Winter Appeal.
This Week’s Anti-War Briefing
