Month: February 2026
Weekly Silent Vigil for Gaza in Seaton, on Saturdays at 11
Some of the 60 people who attended this week’s vigil for Gaza in Exeter
We have watched with horror as Israel has destroyed Gaza for almost two and a half years. Despite a so-called ‘ceasefire’, Israel is still killing civilians, blocking the entry of food and humanitarian aid, and dismantling established international aid operations.
Nearly two million survivors are still living amidst the ruins and in tents despite terrible winter rain. Our government has supported Israel and is doing nothing meaningful to stop this.
So some of us have got together and decided to start a weekly silent vigil for Gaza in Seaton. We will stand in a line for 30 minutes each Saturday at 11 am, at Thury Harcourt Place near the roundabout, STARTING next Saturday 7th MARCH.
Please join us on that day or whenever you can. We will have a banner and placards. Since it’s a silent vigil, we will not be canvassing the public so there’s no reason to worry about having to persuade people.
We know, from the contact that some of us have with people in Gaza, that it means a lot to them to know that people around the world care.
If you’d like to be informed of any changes to the schedule or other activities, we’re setting up a WhatsApp group and you can join this by sending me your mobile number.
A hundred people at Exeter meeting on Gaza genocide
Exactly one hundred people attended the public meeting last Wednesday at which I spoke on Gaza, Palestine and Genocide.
Rebecca Michel of Devon Jewish Palestine Solidarity Group also addressed the meeting. A hearbreaking message from a Palestinian PhD student in Exeter was read out, describing how her husband had been hospitalised in Gaza because of the cold and wet and his tent being blown away.
Richard Foord raises Seaton Hospital with new NHS CEO
Richard Foord has written to NHS Devon’s new acting chief executive seeking assurances over the future of community hospitals in East Devon and warning against further cuts to local services.
In a letter dated February 25 to Libby Ryan-Davies, who took up the post on February 1, Richard asked for confirmation that community hospitals in Axminster, Ottery St Mary, Honiton, Sidmouth and Seaton were “safe”.
Richard said he remained “a strong advocate for local health services”, describing the provision of care in market towns as “the very essence of neighbourhood healthcare”. He also raised concerns about high rental costs charged by NHS Property Services (NHSPS) for buildings, whihc is a core reason why a wing in Seaton remains vacant.
The Seaton Hospital Steering Committee, elected at the big public meeting in November 2023, is continuing to monitor the situation. With Richard’s backing, we recently made a submission to the House of Commons’ Health Select Committee’s inquiry into the government’s proposed neighbourhood health hubs.
Libby Ryan-Davies is Devon NHS’s third CEO since we launched the new campaign for Seaton Hospital. The rapid turnover of NHS officials is an extra reason why it is difficult to keep them focused on the issues.
I’m speaking on Gaza in Exeter
Some readers will know that in my academic work, I specialise in genocide. I’m giving this talk to the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) in Exeter. A speaker from the Devon Jewish Palestinian Solidarity Group will also be talking. I hope to see you there!
The New Age of Genocide is my new book which includes Gaza:
https://www.agendapub.com/page/detail/the-new-age-of-genocide/?k=9781788218726
Seaton & Colyton MATTERS 