MEMBERS of the Bradford on Avon Friends of Palestine group have been forced to cancel one of their 10th anniversary celebrations “out of respect” for all those who have died so far in the conflict between Israel and Hamas militants.

The BOAFOP celebrations have been overtaken by recent events in Israel after Hamas militants from Gaza launched a surprise and violent attack Israeli citizens living nearby.


So far, more than 1,100 people have died in the conflict, which began on Saturday while many Israelis were celebrating a major Jewish festival.


The anniversary celebration on Wednesday, October 18 was due to have taken place at Great Chalfield Manor near Bradford on Avon.


But with agreement from the BoAFOP committee, the manor’s owner Robert Floyd decided to pull the plug on the event.


BOAFOP committee member and founder, Judith Hammond, said: “We have agreed to cancel the event at Great Chalfield Manor out of respect for all the people that have died in this conflict."


The group has also scaled back a second celebration event on Thursday, October 19 which will be moved from St Margaret's Hall to another venue.


Both events had been planned several months ago to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the group’s formation in 2013.

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Three years ago, the BOAFOP formed an official friendship link with the town of Tubas in the north east section of the West Bank in Israel which is occupied by Palestinians under Israeli military rule.


Mrs Hammond said: “The Bradford on Avon Friend of Palestine was created to support the visit by a large group of young Hakaya Dancers and drummers from Bethlehem in October 2013, when they gave a memorable performance at the Wiltshire Music Centre, as part of a sport and dance festival.


“Since then BOAFOP has organised a range of activities and in 2020, together with Bradford on Avon Town Council, formed an official friendship link with Tubas, a town in the north east  of the West Bank.


“Last September two of the BOAFOP group visited Tubas. They were given wonderful hospitality and learnt more about the town, visiting council members, education establishments as well as a large farm and a hospital.”


The group planned to bring over seven delegates from Tubas, including their mayor, the retired head teacher Jalal, with whom BOAFOP liaise and who oversaw the establishment of the now fully-functioning  language laboratories for which the group raised funds last year, a farmer, two engineers, and two youth workers.


But after talks with the town council, the group has decided to move the event to another venue and stage a smaller celebration to welcome five visitors from Tubas, four of whom are now in Jordan.


The Palestinian Ambassador in the UK Dr Husam Zomlot is due to be the guest speaker.