Join the Manchester demonstration on Saturday 19th September, 12pm, Albert Square!
On 16th September 1982, Israel besieged Palestinian refugee camp, Shatila, and the neighbourhood of Sabra, both southwest of Beirut, Lebanon. Over 2 days, Israel systematically slaughtered between 2,000-3,500 people, and subjected countless more to unspeakable atrocities. This massacre was, and remains, one of the most brutal massacres in Lebanese and Palestinian history post-Nakba.
44 years on, we commemorate Sabra and Shatila not only to honour the martyrs, but also as a reminder of the generational fight against Israel’s brutality. We need not imagine witnessing Sabra and Shatila in real time, for the decimation of Lebanon and the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza is being live-streamed before our very eyes. At this very moment, Israel continues its bombardment of Lebanon, eradicating entire neighbourhoods. 44 years on, and the martyrs are still being buried under the rubble.
Across Occupied Palestine, Palestinian homes are being demolished and destroyed by settler-colonial violence. At least 15 Palestinians, including 2 children, have been killed by Israeli settlers as of July 2026, and illegal settlements continue to expand day by day. Refugee camps across the West Bank have been emptied of their inhabitants. Since January 2023 alone, almost 6,000 Palestinians have been completely or partially displaced.
Britain, a key historical Israeli ally, has decided to impose sanctions on illegal Israeli settlements, and a new ban for arms licences and other exports that “materially contribute to the occupation”. However, we cannot rest until it is recognised that Israel itself is an illegal settlement, and all members of its society, be it Israeli military or Israeli settlers, are living on stolen Palestinian land. There is no justice until all economic and political ties are completely, not partially, severed between Israel and global powers.
So join us on Saturday to stand up for Palestine and Lebanon!
