WELSH nationalists took part in the weekend’s events calling for an end to the slaughter in Gaza with a debate at the party’s conference and then joining a rally in Caernarfon town centre on Saturday.
Plaid Cymru’s spring conference heard powerful speeches from three women setting out the action party members can take.
Sumayya Ahmed, a British Palestinian living in Wales, was a neuroscientist but said she had turned to community activism working for justice and freedom for Palestine.
She compared the plight of the Palestinians with English colonialism in banning the Welsh language and trying to erase culture.
“Plaid called for an immediate ceasefire when it mattered. Labour did not, neither did the Tories,” Ms Ahmed said.
Rachel Solnick said she was representing Na’amod Cymru, which exists to end Jewish community support for Israel’s occupation and apartheid.
She called on Plaid members to organise vigils and campaign for the end of arms built in Wales and being sold to the Israeli army.
Cardiff Stop the War’s Sharifah Rahman said: “We are organising an apartheid-free zone in Cardiff to ensure people have spaces in the city not complicit with Israel.”
So far 59 businesses in City Road have pledged their support; Ms Rahman called on Plaid Cymru to support the boycott and disinvestment campaign in the councils it runs.
An emotional speech by a local doctor at the rally opposite Caernarfon Castle called out Israeli war crimes. She also spoke about babies in Gaza being born by caesarian section and amputations all performed without anaesthetic.
“Bombing hospitals, killing civilians, denying aid and using white phosphorus are all war crimes,” she said.
Stop the War Mold’s David McKnight said: “We cannot sit back and do nothing while a genocide is live-streamed in front of us. We all have a duty and an obligation to act to prevent it.
“For the sake of all those suffering we must not lose hope. Palestinians are counting on us and we cannot let them down — we will not abandon them.”
Plaid Cymru councillor Carrie Harper said: “The vigils in Wrexham started before Christmas and are held every week outside the local Tory MP’s office.”
