More than 150 guests at Swindon Palestine Solidarity charity dinner

People from across Swindon came to Swindon Palestine Solidarity’s charity dinner to raise funds for Medical Aid Palestine and raise awareness of the situation in Gaza.

The organisation said over 150 guests and 30 volunteers listened, often with tears in their eyes, as the guest speaker, Palestinian journalist Ahmed Alnaouq, explained how more 21 of his family members had been killed in Gaza.

Ahmed came with his new bride, who has also lost many family members and friends.

He said: "I just wanted to say that I was very very pleased to have joined you in Swindon. To have joined my friends and family the freedom lovers and supporters of Palestine in Swindon. 

"It was very lovely to meet all of you, people of all faiths and colours and people are Muslim, Christian, Jews and of non-faiths. 

"We shared the same values that we all agree on, the freedom of freedom and sympathy of the oppressed with the struggle against the oppressor and I felt like home, I felt like I was surrounded by family. 

"The event was very powerful and the spirit of the people I found there was very high and motivating and it gave me a lot of hope because as someone who has lost all his family members I feel like these people who support Palestine and solidarity with Palestine are now my family, are of my people. 

"And it gives me hope that as long as we have people like you who have continued to participate in events and protests for Palestine, believe that Palestine eventually will be free."

Ahmed is the co-founder of an organisation set up in 2015 to provide English-language writing workshops for young Palestinians in Gaza, called We Are Not Numbers. He said that during an Israeli military attack in the summer of 2014, his 23-year-old brother, Ayman, was killed by a missile while simply walking on the street near his home in Dir-Al-Balah. 

Ahmed sunk into depression from which he thought he would never return to normal life again. During this time, he met Pam Bailey, who encouraged him to write his story. 

He said the death of his brother and his friends was reported in the media as 'six Palestinians killed' but their names were not used.

A Swindon Palestine Solidarity spokesperson said: "Ahmed wanted his brother to be named and remembered, as well as all the other victims of the Israeli attacks. 

"From there, We Are Not Numbers was formed to share the stories of young Palestinians in Gaza. Over 350 writers now contribute to We Are Not Numbers.

"People from the Swindon community, young and old, from varied religions and none, and many different races, came to listen to his story, join in solidarity with the people of Gaza and raise money and awareness.

"Swindon Palestine Solidarity are extremely grateful for the generosity of local businesses and individuals who contributed food, decorations, time and money. Thanks goes to Biblop, Ruchi, Jully, DuDuzo Kitchen, Lalbagh, Pizza and Co, Tandoori Nights, Shupe, Grand Bazaar, The Jewel in the Crown, Kaspars, members of theTurkish and Muslim communities. 

"With their help, the event has raised over £3,000.

"This really was a great community event. Swindon Palestine Solidarity will continue to organise events, rallies, film shows, fundraisers and marches in Swindon, as well as encouraging as many people as possible to attend the national demonstrations in London.

"We invite people to join us for the next local march on Sunday 11 February at 12pm in Regent Circus and the next national march in London on 17 February."